James Umpherston

Background

Umpherston was born in Cambuslang, Ayrshire, Scotland, and worked as a farmer until he emigrated to South Australia on the Ariadne, arriving in August 1839.

Career

He worked for several years as a contractor to established farmers until he had saved enough to start farming for himself at Brown Hill Creek, then at Smithfield, where he prospered. He next took up land at Attamurra, 4 miles (64 km) north-east of Mount Gambier, naming his property "Cadzow", later owned by John Kennedy. He sold up there and moved to the Myora Estate, 9 miles (14 km) east of Mount Gambier, which he sold to West. A. Crouch in 1875.

Finally he moved to "The Caves", where he remained, turning it into a showpiece and model farm.

"The Caves" was later owned by Joseph Botterill MLC. He died after a brief illness. He was twice married: to Janet Arneil (c 1811 – 10 January 1877).

William J. Umpherston (24 February 1830 – 13 January 1915) of Yahl, South Australia married Sarah Campbell on 21 July 1857. John Umpherston ( – ) of Mount Gambier married Ellen (c 1813 – 25 November 1898)

Ann Umpherston (c 1816 – 29 December 1882) married William Innes of Onetree Hill on 20 April 1854.

Their children founded the Military Lel Cheese and Butter Company.

He helped found the Mount Gambier District Council, and when it was divided in 1865 became Chairman of the Gambier East Council, and served in that position for 12 years.

Achievements

• He helped establish the Mount Gambier Institute and was a founder of the local Caledonian Society, and its Chief for two years.

Membership

He was appointed Justice of the Peace at Mount Gambier in 1861, He was a member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Adelaide from its earliest days, and kept up his membership of it to the last, and when he moved to the South-East he helped establish a local Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society, and was its first President. He was a founding member of the local Agricultural Bureau, and its first President. He was a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Licensing Bench.

Connections

colleague:

John Riddoch