Researching John Moir

Born in Albany on 29 July 1856, he was the eldest son of Alexander Moir, who had arrived in Albany in 1852. Moir was sent to Perth as a child to study at Bishop's College. Arriving back in Albany at age 16 he joined his father in his business interests. By 1880 Moir's father retired and left him in charge of the family businesses. By 1882 Moir was the foundation president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Moving to work briefly in South Australia Moir met and later married Edith Jane Lines in 1883. A year later they had a child, Clifford St John Moir, who died before his first birthday.

Later, returning to Albany, he contested the first mayoral election in 1885 but lost to William Finlay.

Moir built a new residence on Aberdeen Street in 1886; his wife died before the residence was completed. Moir, who was also a founding member of the Albany Club, let it be used as a club facility from 1895 until 1939 when the club acquired the building. The Albany Club building later became heritage listed.

Serving four terms as Mayor of Albany, from 1889 to 1890, and 1894 to 1897, Moir spent several years also serving on the Council.

In 1908 Moir sold off his other businesses only keeping his auctioneering branch under his name.

Moir died at Albany hospital on 19 July 1939 after a long illness, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born at Cape Riche in 1851, he was the eldest son of the pioneer Andrew Moir, who was from Markinch in Fifeshire, Scotland and had settled in the region in the 1840s. The Moir family lived in a cottage in the neighbouring allotment to George Cheyne with two of John's brothers working at Cheyne's Cape Riche farm.

The Moir family acquired the Cheyne's property in 1858, including the homestead. The homestead and out-buildings were constructed between 1850 and 1850. A billiards room was built by John Moir with the assistance of Aboriginal people, with a blacksmith shop built at around the same time. Much of the furniture was fashioned from driftwood found on the nearby beaches.

The station was used as supply depot for the sandalwood, whaling and sealing industries that were flourishing in the area through the 1870s to the 1900s. Moir was married in 1881 and remained at Cape Riche where he had taken a half share of the property on the death of his father.

Moir and his son Neil extended their land-holding along Cheynes Beach in 1920 when they acquired another of land. Cape Riche Station was still held by the family with Moir's other sons having set up sheep stations further to the east near the Salt River. The Moirs used the sheep for meat production to supply the goldfields around Norseman.

Moir died on 31 May 1938 at Albany Hospital at age 87, and was later buried at Cape Riche.