John Keleher

John Keleher of Pratton, died in his 80's, an old pioneer of the Darling Downs, born near Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. John had two brothers and one sister in Queensland, Dennis in Brisbane, who built the Post and Telegraph office and Catholic Cathedral in Rockhampton, Patrick, who died at Deuchar, where he had a farm, and Mrs. Peter McGuckin second wife of Peter McGuckin, his brother-in-law.

A carpenter and bridge builder, he married Susan Campbell, one of 5 Campbell girls who came to Queensland from Ireland in the  late1850’s and early 60's. After their marriage the Kelehers  went to Stanthorpe when the tin mining began and kept the Pint Pot and  Horse and Jockey Hotel.  At Pratten he erected a sawmill and home. He afterward removed the sawmill to Thane's Creek and selling out and starting farming at Pratten.

John Keleher, was a member and chairman of the Clifton Divisional Board [local government ].

He secured two farms when the West Talgai and Felton estates were sold off. These fine farms were run by 4 of the sons at the time he died. Six sons, and six daughters. The sons are John and Michael at Talgai, James and Thomas at Felton, Dennis in the old home and Timothy in the public service. A grandson, James Baker, was mining registrar at Mount Perry. The daughters were Mrs Thomas Baker, Warwick, Misses Bridget, Susan and Margaret at home, Matron Cassie at Gennazano private hospital Brisbane, and Sister Mary Patrick Francis in the Good Samaritan Convent, Lourdes Hill, Brisbane. John Keleher was a member of the Clifton Shire Council for 27 years. 1n 1924 there were 23 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 1924 'OBITUARY.', Warwick Daily News (Qld. : 1919 -1954), 19 May, p. 5. , viewed 11 Oct 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189288238