Couch, George

DESCRIPTION

NameCouch, GeorgeDate of Birth1842Date of Death1923OccupationFarmerPlace of ResidenceDunmoreBiographyGeorge Couch and his twin sister Louisa were born at Shellharbour in 1842, to James Couch (convict) and Mary Wheatley.

As a young man, George travelled to the goldfields to try his luck, even following the ‘rush’ to New Zealand for a time.

In 1872, George married Annie Elizabeth Collins at Kiama. They had three children, including twins, before Annie died in 1875.

George Thomas b.1873 (died 1903, Sydney)
Annie Elizabeth b.1873 (died 1950, Kiama)
Louisa b.1874 (died 1874)

In 1877, George married Catherine Connolly, daughter of Michael and Maria, of Jamberoo. George and Catherine had;

James Andrew b.1879 (married Elsie Stephens, died 1947, Ballina)
Ethel Maud b.1880 (died 1942, Kiama)
Myrtle May b.1855 (died 1966, Kiama)
Raymond Leslie b.1887 (died 1916, Kiama)
Arthur Barry b.1889 (married Gladys Sommerville, died 1967, St Leonards)

George settled at Dunmore, and for some 55 years was a successful farmer and horse breeder in that district. He was the second Chairman of Directors of the Illawarra Cooperative Central Dairy Company and Alderman on Shellharbour Council from 1896-1899. George believed that by sticking together, the farmers could vastly improve conditions in their trade, and only by cooperation would their best interests be served.

The Kiama Independent noted in his obituary on 10 November 1923, ‘His integrity was admired by all who knew him, and his kindliness of heart won him many personal friends, for few things gave him more pleasure than doing some kindly act for a friend. He was a modest man of sterling common sense, and though he liked to see everyone else get their due, and honour given where it was due, he never put in the limelight his own attainments or past services’.

External LinkObituary Annie Elizabeth Couch 1875Mr G Thomas Couch 1903Death George Thomas Couch 1903Picnic and Presentation to George Couch 1917Death of Mr George Couch 1923Obituary Mr George Couch 1923Late Mrs Couch 1927

Object

Illuminated Address George Couch

George Couch, Chairman Illawarra Cooperative Central Dairy

Couch and Downes Family

Person

Couch, James Jnr

Couch, James Snr

Couch, Edward

Photograph

Group of Shellharbour Dairy Industry Men

George Couch, Chairman Illawarra Cooperative Central Dairy Society 1901-1910

Family

Connolly

Couch

George Couch, Albion Park Rail, c.1900.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleShellharbour City Council CollectionFamilyCouchConnollyLocalityDunmorePersonCouch, EdwardCouch, James SnrCouch, James JnrPlaceIllawarra Cooperative Central Dairy Factory

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Couch, George