Joseph Dargaville
Joseph McMullen Dargaville | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1837 Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 1896-10-27 Aboard the Mariposa (buried at sea) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Known for | Founder of the town of Dargaville, New Zealand; Member of Parliament in New Zealand |
Joseph McMullen Dargaville (1837 – 27 October 1896) was a prominent New Zealand parliamentarian in the 19th century and the founder of the town known as Dargaville.
Early life
Dargaville was born in Cork, Ireland, the son of Dr. Anderson Dargaville and Eliza McMullen. His ancestry traced back to Huguenots who had escaped to Ireland. He received his baptism on 27 June 1837 and pursued his education at Fermoy College.
Business career
After relocating with his brothers to Victoria, Dargaville moved to Sydney in early 1859, where he secured employment as a clerk at the Union Bank of Australia, earning £100 annually. From 1860 until 1866, he occupied various roles across New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.
In 1871, he recognized business prospects along the Northern Wairoa River and leased land to set up a trading enterprise specializing in kauri timber and gum. The subsequent year, he acquired the 171-acre Tunatahi property situated at the confluence of the Wairoa and Kaihu Rivers, where he established and expanded the settlement that became Dargaville. His investments included stores, storage sheds, tramways, wharves, residences, and two hotels. As the principal landowner in the town, he earned considerable revenue through leasing arrangements. Additionally, he promoted the construction of the Kaihu Valley railway line.
Marriage
On 20 April 1865 in Portland, Victoria, Dargaville wed Anne Must, daughter of Thomas and Anne Must. The couple had a minimum of seven children—two sons and five daughters. Anne was born on 1 May 1845 in Sydney.
Political career
From 1873 to 1876, Dargaville served on the Auckland Provincial Council representing Auckland East. He unsuccessfully ran in the City of Auckland West by-election in 1875 but later held the seat as an independent Member of Parliament from 1881 to 1887.
During the 1887 general election, he contested the Marsden electorate but was defeated by Robert Thompson by a margin of 955 to 550 votes. He also stood for election in the Bay of Islands electorate in both 1890 and 1893 but finished last each time. Dargaville was affiliated with the Orange Order.
Death
Dargaville passed away aboard the Mariposa on 27 October 1896 while returning from England and was interred at sea. A joint memorial for him and his wife Anne—who died in 1915—is placed at St Stephens Cemetery in Parnell, Auckland.