Michael O'Keeffe (Queensland politician) explained

Michael O'Keeffe
Constituency Am1:Lockyer
Assembly1:Queensland Legislative
Term Start1:27 August 1904
Term End1:18 May 1907
Predecessor1:William Drayton Armstrong
Successor1:William Drayton Armstrong
Birth Date:1854
Birth Place:Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Death Date:30 August 1941 (aged 87)
Death Place:Laidley, Queensland, Australia
Restingplace:Laidley Cemetery
Birthname:Michael O'Keeffe
Spouse:Elizabeth Ryan (m.1922)
Party:Kidstonites
Occupation:Dairy farmer

Michael O'Keeffe (1854 30 August 1941) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Biography

O'Keeffe was born at Cashel, Tipperary, the son of William O'Keeffe and his wife Ellen (née Heffernan). He was educated in Cashel and arrived in Queensland where he selected land in the Lockyer region ad became a successful farmer and grazier. In 1911 he became an immigration agent for Queensland, based in Ireland. On 10 July 1872 O'Keeffe married Elizabeth Ryan[1] (died 1922)[2] and together had four sons and six daughters. He died at Laidley in August 1941 and his funeral proceeded from St Patrick's Catholic Church in Laidley[3] to the Laidley Cemetery.

Public career

O'Keeffe first entered politics as a councilor for the Laidley Divisional Board before unsuccessfully challenging William Drayton Armstrong for the seat of Lockyer in the Queensland Legislative Assembly at the 1902 Queensland state election.[4]

At the 1904 Queensland state election he challenged Armstrong again and this time was successful.[5] In 1907 however, Armstrong won back the electorate.[6] O'Keefe stood one more time against Armstrong, this time in 1909 but was once again beaten.[7]

He was a founder of the Queensland Farmers Co-operative Association and a director of the company from 1907. He was also a Director of the Booval Co-operative Dairy Company, and a member of the Laidley Agricultural Society.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former Members. Parliament of Queensland. 2015. 20 May 2016.
  2. https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/family-history-research/ Family history research
  3. News: DEATH OF MR. MICHAEL O'KEEFFE. . . 17088 . Queensland, Australia . 1 September 1941 . 20 May 2016 . 2 (DAILY.) . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: LOCKYER. . . LVIII . 13,779 . Queensland, Australia . 12 March 1902 . 20 May 2016 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: LOCKYER. (1). . . LXI . 14,549 . Queensland, Australia . 30 August 1904 . 20 May 2016 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: ADDITIONAL DETAILS. . . LXIII . 15,402 . Queensland, Australia . 24 May 1907 . 20 May 2016 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: DETAILS OF VOTING. . . LXVI . 16,140 . Queensland, Australia . 4 October 1909 . 20 May 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia.