Family background
John Mulder was born c1828 in Armagh County, Northern Ireland, son of David Muldagh (Muldrew) and Elizabeth Jane. He was a tenant farmer who was evicted from his land in 1848. He married Susanna Hare (1825-1885) on 22 November 1849 at the Cremore Presbyterian Church, Ballymore, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Mulder immigrated with wife to Sydney, arriving 29 June 1850 by the vessel ’Maria’. They had 3 sons and 1 daughter, all born in Sydney. John Mulder died on 27 May 1884 at his residence, Botany Road, Waterloo, NSW, aged 56 years and he was buried in the Old Presbyterian Section of Rookwood Cemetery. John Mulder left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £1,450. He lived at Botany Road, Waterloo (1882).
Occupation & interests
Mulder was a grocer and baker.
Community activity
For several years, Mulder was the Treasurer of the Extended Order of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society, Branch No1, Redfern. In 1882, Mulder presented a list of grievances to Waterloo Council that needed attention, especially the state of the gutters. His resolution was not treated seriously. The rationale was that financially Waterloo Municipality was ’hard Up’.
Local government service
John Mulder was elected on 2 November 1878 in lieu of Alderman Cornelius Molony, deceased. Mulder was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1879-83.
References
‘Municipal Election’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 November 1878 p. 1, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13414916
‘Borough of Waterloo’, Evening News, 1 November 1882, p.3, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107997317