Family background
Aaron Maclean was born on 12 June 1855 in Paddington, the son of Fergus Maclean, a builder, and Mary Anne Rutledge, both immigrants from County Cavan, Ireland.
Maclean married Fanny Ellen Houghton (–1941) on 15 October 1890. The pair had four children: Myrtle Lillian (born 17 December 1891), Ronald Houghton (23 May 1894 – 26 July 1898), Dorothy Stern (born 8 April 1899), and John Bruce (born 18 January 1902).
In his later years, Maclean resided at ‘Greycliffe,’ 21-23 Mona Road, Darling Point, where he died aged 77 on 30 October 1932. His funeral, conducted by Wood Coffill Funeral Directors, was held on 31 October 1932 at South Head Cemetery.
Occupation & interests
Aaron Maclean undertook business as a butcher, operating from the 1890s at 219 New South Head Road, Edgecliff. In 1895, he was severely injured at these premises when an ammonia cylinder burst in his face while he was undertaking meat-freezing experiments.
Community activity
Aaron Maclean was an active Freemason, being a member of the Paddington Ionic Lodge No. 181, and was elected Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1893.
Local government service
Maclean was elected to the Borough of Paddington (Glenmore Ward) on 17 November 1884, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Joseph Davies.
When his seat came up for re-election on 8 February 1887, Maclean initially declined to stand again. He later appeared to change his mind following receipt of a letter signed by 52 ratepayers requesting that he nominate for re-election. Despite this, his name did not appear in the final list of nominations and the seat in Glenmore Ward was eventually taken by George Davidson.
In 1889 he assisted in the campaign and was one of the nominators for the successful re-election of Dugald McIntyre to Glenmore Ward. Maclean also nominated Austin James Kenny for re-election to Glenmore Ward in February 1904.
References
Compiled and researched by Andrew Beveridge, 2024
The information about this alderman was compiled in collaboration with Woollahra Library and Information Service.
‘Marriages. Maclean-Houghton’, The Sydney Mail, 8 November 1890, p. 1064, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163648168
‘Deaths. Maclean’, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 October 1932, p. 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16926599
‘Funerals. Maclean’, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 October 1932, p. 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16926838
‘A Serious Accident’, The Daily Telegraph, 2 January 1895, p. 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236000086
‘Masonic Installation at Paddington’, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 August 1893, p. 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13927299
‘Funeral of the Late Mr. G. Hellings’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 October 1899, p. 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14235602
‘Borough of Paddington’, New South Wales Government Gazette, 21 November 1884, No. 607, p. 7835, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221632712
‘The Coming Elections’, The Daily Telegraph, 17 January 1887, p. 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236750257
‘Municipal Elections – To Alderman A. Maclean, Esq.’, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 January 1887, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13624887
‘Municipal Elections – Borough of Paddington’, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 February 1887, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13626119
‘Municipal Elections – Paddington Municipal Election Glenmore Ward’, The Daily Telegraph, 8 February 1889, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235875102
‘Municipal Elections – Borough of Paddington’, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 February 1889, p. 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13713244
‘Municipal Elections – Borough of Paddington’, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 February 1904, p. 13, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14597058