John was born around 1832, the son of Patrick O'Keefe and Mary (Walsh)
His baptism was held on July 3, 1832 in Glanmire, Cork, Ireland.[1]
At the age of 20, in 1850, and accompanied by Patrick (aged 22 and possibly his brother), he immigrated to Australia, leaving from Plymouth, England on board the ship 'HMS Reliance' and arriving in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Victoria on March 19, 1850.[2]
He was recorded as John Keefe, he was a native of Clare, Ireland, and a Roman Catholic and could both read and write.
According to his birthdate of 1832, he was only aged 16 or 17 when he left for Australia, and not 20 as recorded on the ship passenger list.
In the 1889 Victoria Rate Books, he owned fenced land in Raleigh Street, Northcote, Victoria. The house was burned.[3]
In the 1891 Victoria Rate Books, he owned fenced land in Raleigh Street, Northcote, Victoria. Rates costing 9 shillings, 4 pence.[4]
He was an independent farmer at the time of his death - according to his probate record - Farmer Out of Business.
Death notice - The Age (Melbourne, Vic) Wed 15 Mar 1893 - "O'KEEFE.— On the 13th March, at his late residence, Thornbury Park, Northcote, John O'Keefe, late of Gowerville, beloved husband of Julia O'Keefe, native of County Cork, Ireland, aged 60 years [5]
He died after falling while jumping off a tram at Clifton Hill. He was tended to and went home. Found the next morning unconscious on the floor and died the next day.
Inquest: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 18 Mar 1893 - THE DEATH OF MR. JOHN O'KEEFE. SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE FORTHCOMING. The death of Mr John O'Keefe, an independent farmer who resided at Northcote, and who died on Monday last from injuries to the head which he had sustained in some unexplained manner, has formed the subject of further investigation by Detective-sergeant Lovie, and a satisfactory explanation is now forthcoming. An element of mystery had been given to the facts of the case by the statement of Mr O'Keefe himself when explaining the manner in which he had sustained the injuries. He said he had been assaulted and thrown down upon his head at the Bridge Hotel Northcote, and when the post mortem examination made by Dr Wilkinson showed that death was due to fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, and that the injury could only have been sustained by a heavy fall, it appeared probable that the deceased had met with violent, if not foul play. It has since been ascertained that he was hurt quite accidentally. On the evening of the Thursday prior to his death he got upon a tram dummy at Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, and rode as far as Clifton Hill. Just as the tram was approaching the terminus he endeavoured to jump off but did not manage to do so successfully. Instead he fell upon his head on the wooden blocks. He lay there till picked up by the gripman McCluskey, and two other tramway employees, who carried him off the roadway and sat him down by a tree-guard. His head was then bleeding, but he declined any further assistance, and, saying in answer to questions put to him that his name was "Robinson Crusoe," he walked over the Merri Creek bridge. He was under the influence of liquor at the time, but not to such an extent as would prevent him walking steadily. These facts will be placed before the coroner Mr Candler, and the jury at the adjourned inquest to be held on Wednesday next, and with others of material interest a connected account of the movements of the deceased from the time he lift home until he returned fatally injured will be made up, and will show that the cause of death was in no way due to foul play.[6]
He passed away at his home in Plow Street, Northcote, Victoria
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193436615
Probate of his estate was granted May 2, 1893. He died in intestate (no will) and his widow, Julia, administered his estate.
He is buried in the Warringal Cemetery, Heidelberg, Victoria
Epitaph: Gloria in excelsis Deo - Sacred to the memory of our dear parents JOHN O'KEEFE who died 13th March 1893 aged 62 years. JULIA O'KEEFE who died 13th August 1903 aged 74 years. And our beloved brother THOMAS JOHN O'KEEFE who died 24th April 1893 aged 33 years. Also CORNELIUS O'KEEFE who died 23rd March 1917 aged 55 years.[7]
Victoria Marriage registration #1320/1854
Victoria Death registration #3215/1893
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/735
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