Family background
Thomas Wearne was born at Cornwall England in 1835, son of Joseph Wearne and Susannah nee Rogers. He married Jane Ewing Jeffrey at Liverpool on 15 December 1855. There were six daughters and five sons of the marriage. He died at Bonnyrigg on 30 May 1914, aged 80 years. Jane Wearne died on 1 February 1925, 87 years.
Occupation & interests
Wearne, an engineer, became an ironmonger at Sydney in 1865, expanding into safes. From 1878 at Glebe Foundry, Cowper Street he began manufacturing first class railway carriages and tram cars of his own design as well as locomotives and bridge components. A dispute with government over a large locomotive contract forced Wearne into bankruptcy in 1889, and the following year the Cowper Street foundry was put up for sale. He left an estate valued at 664 pounds for probate purposes.
Community activity
Wearne was an original member of Liverpool Council in 1872, a foundation member in 1885 of the NSW Chamber of Manufactures in 1885, and in 1886 of the Protection Union of NSW. Wearne was a foundation member of Wentworth Masonic Lodge in 1881.
Local government service
Thomas Wearne was an alderman on Glebe Council from 1880 to 1888. He was part of a deputation to the Colonial Treasurer in 1884 seeking closure of Glebe Island abattoir, arguing its presence retarded suburban development. Cattle were landed at Glebe Island, and were driven through populous streets and across the crowded bridge, greatly to the danger of pedestrians, especially on Sundays. They were told the abattoir would be closed as soon as a new meat market was completed.
References
Mark Lyons, ‘Wearne, Thomas (1835–1914)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wearne-thomas-4953/text8037, accessed 2 September 2013.
Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 1884 p. 10; 30 March 1887 p. 11
Australian Town and Country Journal 20 October 1883 p. 23
Australian Town and Country Journal 3 June 1914 p. 34
Sydney Morning Herald 1 June 1914 p. 11