Cleghorn, William (1833 - 1896)

Cleghorn arrived in Melbourne, Australia in 1853 aboard the Ben Nevis.

In 1856 he went, with his brother, to the Rocky River goldfields, near Armidale, where they opened a store to supply goods to the miners.

In1860-1 he selected property near Uralla which he named Methven Park, after a castle in Scotland. He was involved in mineral exploration in the New England and in the development of the fruit-growing industry in Uralla and Arding. He was the first mayor of Uralla and was active in the campaign to have the railway extended to Uralla and Armidale. He acquired Mooraback Station, near Yarrowitch.

Cleghorn married Isabella Bishop and they had 12 children. They lived at Methven Park for 25 years before moving to Armidale.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]

Related Corporate Bodies

• Cleghorn Motors