Matthew James Gleeson (1897 - 1986)

Born 8 Mar 1897 in Orange, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Eileen Frances (Ritchie) Gleeson — married 10 Oct 1921 in Dubbo, NSW, Australia

Descendants

Died 27 Jun 1986 at age 89 in Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Matthew James Gleeson was born in Orange on 8 March 1897 ^[1]. Shortly after his birth his mother Mary Moore passed away.

Matthew James Gleeson was born in the Colony of New South Wales (1788-1900)

According to his son, Kevin Gleeson Matthew was raised by the Casey family in Orange who lived in 103 March St Orange. He later married Eileen Ritchie in Dubbo in 1921 ^[2]. Following their wedding Matt's grocery business in Balmain caught fire and was gutted in Oct 1921 ^[3].

After they married they moved to Sydney and lived in Forbes Ave Belmore. They had four children: Lola Gleeson, Mary Collins nee Gleeson, Matthew Gleeson and Kevin Gleeson . There are numerous family stories about how the Gleeson household in Forbes Ave was close to a nearby arm barracks and so during the second world war, Matt and Eileen would open their house to the servicemen, often feeding and entertaining them.

There is a record of Matthew James Gleeson and James Casey as the owners of a grocery business at 80 Mansfield Street, Rozelle which was registered on 7 March 1922. ^[4] It is not clear if this was the same locale that previously caught fire.

Matt later in life suffered from hearing loss, something that was attributed to his many years working as a boiler maker.

After Eileen died in 1958, Matt raised the family on his own. Around 1960, Matt's eldest son Matthew James divorced from his wife and moved in to Forbes Ave with his two son's, Kevin and Brian. In 1960 Matt's youngest son, Kevin, married Muriel Crooke who then moved in to Forbes Ave. Kevin and Muriel would have two children, Raymond (1961) and Paul (1963) while living there. At one stage there were eight people living in the three bedroom house on Forbes Ave. Kevin, Muriel, Raymond and Paul moved out to Baulkham Hills in 1967.

He died in Canterbury Hospital, NSW in 1986. He was buried, along with Eileen, in Rookwood Cemetery, NSW. ^[5]

Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent (NSW : 1887 - 1932), Tuesday 11 October 1921, page 3

GLEESON— RITCHIE. At a nuptial Mass at St. Brigid's Church, Dubbo, on October 10, the Rev. Father Kelly officiated at the marriage of Eileen Francis, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ritchie, of Darling-street, Dubbo, to Matthew James Gleeson, of the firm of Gleeson and Casey, Rozelle, and son of Mr. and the late Mrs. Gleeson, of Orange. After the ceremony the bridal party motored to the residence of the bride's parents where refreshments were partaken of.

The happy young couple caught the early passenger train for their future home in Rozelle, where another recep-tion awaited them. On account of the early hour of departure a small circle of friends, assembled at the bride's parents' residence the evening before to do honor to the young couple, where many toasts were drunk and felicita-tions exchanged. Mr. Jack White in eulogistic terms proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom-elect, to which Mr. Gleeson suitably responded. The toast of the parents was duly pledge at the request of Mr. J. J. McGinty, supported by Mr. E. Carrett, Mr. J. Barden and Mr. T. Field, which was responded to by the father of the bride-elect. The bridesmaids were honored ou the proposition of Mr. P. Ritchie, and responded to by Mr. J. Lewis. The toast of the visitors was ably handled by Mr. Jack Ritchie, and responded to by Mr. C. Clinton. "Our Absent Friends" was given by Mr. Ritchie, who made special mention of two absent members of the community the Rev, Dr. Brophy and Father Cusack, and also Mrs. M'Ginty, who he said had shown the family untold kindness, and had nursed him (the speaker) in his illness. The toast of "The Ladies" was proposed by Mr. Joe Ritchie, and responded to by Mr. Leo Taylor. The Chairman was given by Mr. E. Carrett, after which danc-ing, singing and games were indulged in, making a happy evening for all pre-sent. The presents were numerous and serviceable.

Orange Leader 17 Oct 1921 Page 2

Mat Gleeson's Shop Gutted.

Mr. Matthew James Gleeson, of Orange, who is a part proprietor of a grocery business in Balmain was married in Dubbo on Monday morning but he was unaware that at the time that just a few hours before the nuptial ceremony, his ship (shop) in the Sydney suburb was wrapped in flames, and before the devouring elements were extinguished the premises were almost demolished.

Sources

• WikiTree profile Gleeson-163 created through the import of AJTurtle.GED on Nov 15, 2012 by Tony Turtle. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Tony and others.

1. ↑ NSW BDM 5874/1987
2. ↑ NSW BDM: Wedding 18044/1921
3. ↑ Orange Leader 17 Oct 1921 Page 2.
4. ↑ NSW Business and Company Records 1903-1922. Item No: [2/8553] | File No: 41680 | Nature of Business: Groceries | Place of Business: 80 Mansfield Street Rozelle
5. ↑ Rookwood Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Rookwood, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia PLOT: Sect. M2 Row 20 Plot 2074