John Cheriton
John Cheriton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Whitestone near Exeter, Devon, England |
| Died | June 20, 1917 (aged 88) |
| Occupation(s) | Agriculturalist, politician |
| Years active | 1848–1917 |
| Known for | Early agriculturalist in Strathalbyn, South Australia; member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Mount Barker |
John Cheriton (10 December 1828 – 20 June 1917), originally from Whitestone near Exeter, Devon, was an early agriculturalist in Strathalbyn, South Australia and served as a parliamentarian in South Australia.
He arrived in South Australia aboard the Spartan on 12 April 1848 and began his career working on a farm, drawing upon his background as the eldest son of a notable farmer. Subsequently, he spent several years engaged in auctioneering. In November 1849, he wed the youngest daughter of David McLean, one of the colony's earliest wheat cultivators. Following his marriage, Cheriton farmed at Penwortham before taking up employment with the Copper Company at Burra. In 1851, he journeyed to the goldfields, transporting bullocks from Adelaide to Ovens and Melbourne. Upon returning to Adelaide in 1853, he acquired land at Angas Plains, where he farmed until 1867 and became recognized as the state’s foremost wheat producer. In July 1867, he moved to Strathalbyn, leaving management of Angas Plains to his son John Cheriton Jr.
Cheriton was elected in 1868 to represent Mount Barker in the House of Assembly, initially serving alongside John Dunn. After the assembly's dissolution in 1870, he secured re-election with J. G. Ramsay. He received the appointment of Justice of the Peace in 1871. Despite being a well-known figure within his community, his health declined during later years, culminating in his passing at an invalid home.
Interests
He actively participated in the Strathalbyn Agricultural and Horticultural Society and held the position of vice-president in 1866.
Family
In November 1849, he married Jane McLean (16 August 1830 – 10 October 1886), daughter of early settler Donald McLean. Their offspring included:
- Christina Agnes "Di" Cheriton (–5 August 1881), who married David Taylor Henderson
- Susanna Ann "Susie" Cheriton (circa 1852 – 27 November 1905)
- John Cheriton Jr. (circa 1853 – 19 August 1940), who married Mildred Jane McCord; their children were:
- James Gordon Cheriton (–3 May 1917), a farm and stock broker who died during World War I
- John Cheriton Cheriton, a member of Berri Council from 1922 to 1923, married Maude Schulze
- Graham Cheriton, who married Laura Millicent Clark