# John Maxwell Ferguson

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**John Maxwell Ferguson** (28 April 1841 – 2 August 1924) was an Australian businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He had business interests in several different industries in [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia), and was prominent in the state's [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterianism) community. Ferguson served in the [Legislative Assembly](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) of Western Australia from 1903 to 1904, representing the [seat of North Fremantle](/source/Electoral_district_of_North_Fremantle).

## Early life

Ferguson was born in [Dundee](/source/Dundee), Scotland, to Isabella (née Maxwell) and John Ferguson. His family moved to Western Australia when he was an infant, where his father, a physician, was appointed colonial surgeon (the colony's [chief medical officer](/source/Chief_medical_officer)). Ferguson was initially educated at [Bishop Hale's School](/source/Hale_School), and then sent back to Scotland to attend the [High School of Dundee](/source/High_School_of_Dundee). After leaving school, he joined the [Merchant Navy](/source/Merchant_Navy_(United_Kingdom)), eventually becoming captain of his own ship. In 1867, Ferguson returned to Western Australia, settling in [Fremantle](/source/Fremantle).[1] There, he acquired the [schooner](/source/Schooner) *Airlie*, which he used to trade with Singapore and China.[2]

## Business career

In 1871, Ferguson acquired the lease of the [Stanley Brewery](/source/Emu_Brewery). The following year, he went into partnership with William Mumme, a German expatriate with previous experience in the brewing trade. In 1874, the firm of Ferguson and Mumme acquired the [Swan Brewery](/source/Swan_Brewery), which they relocated to the site of a freshwater spring at the foot of [Mount Eliza](/source/Mount_Eliza_(Western_Australia)). Ferguson sold his share in the brewery in 1886, and went into business as a general merchant in Fremantle, partnering with [William Dalgety Moore](/source/William_Dalgety_Moore). He established his own hardware business in 1889, and over the following years acquired interests in a number of saw mills in the [South West](/source/South_West_(Western_Australia)).[1]

## Politics and later life

Ferguson entered politics in 1903, winning that year's North Fremantle state by-election, which had been caused by the resignation of [Denis Doherty](/source/Denis_Doherty), the member for North Fremantle. His time in parliament was short-lived, however, as he was defeated by the [Labour](/source/Australian_Labor_Party_(Western_Australian_Branch)) candidate, [Harry Bolton](/source/Harry_Bolton).[3] Ferguson remained involved in public life for some time, and was prominent in Perth's [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterianism) community. He financed a relocation of [Scotch College](/source/Scotch_College,_Perth) in 1904, and in 1915 was involved in the establishment of [Presbyterian Ladies' College](/source/Presbyterian_Ladies'_College,_Perth).[4] He eventually retired to [Mount Lawley](/source/Mount_Lawley,_Western_Australia), where he died in 1924, aged 83.[5] Ferguson's nephew, [Percy Douglas Ferguson](/source/Percy_Ferguson), was also a member of parliament.[1]

## References

1. [John Maxwell Ferguson](http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/356125331B9BB079482577E50028A5E5?OpenDocument) – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

1. ["MEMORY ECHOES."](http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/83974264) – *[The Daily News](/source/Daily_News_(Perth,_Western_Australia))*, 22 July 1924.

1. Black, David & Prescott, Valerie (1997). *Election statistics : Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, 1890-1996*. Perth, [W.A.]: Western Australian Parliamentary History Project and Western Australian Electoral Commission. ISBN 0730984095.

1. [John Maxwell Ferguson Fund](http://www.scotch.wa.edu.au/view/giving-to-scotch/john-maxwell-ferguson-fund) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160613064909/http://www.scotch.wa.edu.au/view/giving-to-scotch/john-maxwell-ferguson-fund) 13 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Scotch College. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

1. Wikidata item [Q42333722](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42333722)

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