Family background
John Geddes was born 23 December 1823 in Desertcreal, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, son of Alexander Geddes and Martha (Mattie). He arrived in Sydney on 12 February 1842 by the vessel ’Agnes’. He married Rachael Simpson (1830-1908) on 14 February 1850 in Sydney, NSW and they had eleven children; 5 sons and 6 daughters. John Geddes died on 31 May 1894 at his residence ’Rosebank’ in Glebe, NSW, aged 70 years and he was buried in Rookwood Cemetery. John Geddes left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £24,386. He lived in Botany Road, Botany. His son John Henry Geddes was also an alderman on Waterloo Council.
Occupation & interests
Geddes was a wool broker. His wool washing establishment was situated in Bunnerong Road, Botany.
Local government service
John Geddes was elected as one of the nine inaugural alderman on Waterloo Council. He was an alderman on Waterloo Council for two terms, in 1860-62 and 1868-69, representing East Ward. He was mayor in 1862.
References
‘Council Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June 1860, p. 2, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13042511