John William Yaxley (1863 - 1927)

Born 3 Jul 1863 in Port Sorell, Tasmania, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Emily (Ling) Yaxley — married 1 Oct 1884 in Emu Bay District, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 1 Jan 1927 at age 63 in Penguin, Tasmania, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Phil Yaxley [send private message]

Biography

Sources

• Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922

Birth, Marriage & Death

Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007 Birth, Marriage & Death

John William Yaxley 1863-1927 • K8CG-J2D​​ Marriage: 1 October 1884 Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia

Emily Ling 1866-1938 • KCQG-K2S​​

John William Yaxley, the recently elected Warden of the Penguin municipality, was born at Norfolk Creek, near Forth, in the year 1863, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Yaxley, who arrived from Norfolk, England, and settled on the North-West Coast in the very early days. At the age of five years, John arrived at Penguin, his father having purchased the farm on the Coast road still known as Yaxley's farm. At the age of 21 years he took unto himself a wife, being united in the holy bonds to Emily Ling, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ling, of Ironcliff road. Mr. Yaxley had previously erected a residence on his father's farm, and after his marriage resided there for about three years, when he purchased a farm on the Ironcliff road. A young man, in the prime of life, Mr. Yaxley bent his energies towards making a success of farming, and carried on successfully for 11 years. He then sold that property and during the following dozen years of his life was mostly engaged in contract and road construction work, during which time he resided nearer the township of Penguin. Upon quitting the work of a contractor, Mr. Yaxley bought his present property on the Dial road, situated some 11 miles from Penguin, where, during the past 13 years, although not extensively, he has followed agricultural pursuits and also fruit-growing on a small scale. Whilst a contractor, Mr. Yaxley was a Government overseer, and much of his time was occupied with important Government engagements, such as road construction, bridge building, and work of that nature. The work of clearing thc Corinna track was carried out under his supervision, and numerous extensive private contracts, involving large expenditures, was given into his charge. Mr. Yaxley entered the council some six years ago, and for a term of three years represented the Dial Ward in the Penguin Council. At tho close of the term, owing to an important Government engagement, he could not see his way clear to offer himself for re-election. About nine months ago, when the resignation of Cr. T. Bennett was received, Mr. Yaxley was again nominated, and, being unopposed, was duly elected to fill the vacancy. Up till his entrance into the council, Cr. Yaxley had not previously associated himself with any public institutions or organisations, and even now his only public life is manifested in his council work. It is certain that it would be impossible to find anyone with a more practical and extensive knowledge of the Penguin municipality than that possessed by Cr. Yaxley. Having arrived there at such an early age, he has a vivid recollection of the overwhelming hardships and of the uphill fight against which the first pioneers were forced to contend, and a talk with him regarding these things, and of the early agricultural methods, is most interesting, Every need of the community is made a live matter by Warden Yaxley, and in his important position his knowledge as farmer, road contractor, and pioneer is of very great value indeed to the council of which he is head. Article from the Advocate Newspaper 15 May 1924