McKeevor, Michael (Constable)

Fast Facts

Type of person	Individual
Date of birth	c. 1840
Place of birth	County Meath, Ireland
Date of arrival	The date "Unknown" was not understood.
Principal occupation	Mounted Constable
Date of death	1919
Place of decease	St Peters, South Australia

Michael McKeevor was a mounted constable at the Willunga station from around 1866 to the beginning of 1880.

Michael McKeevor was born around 1840. He and his parents came from County Meath in Ireland. His father, Patrick McKeever, is recorded as an emigrant on Sibella in 1848, but newspaper notices from that time do not list him as a passenger. His mother, Elizabeth, is recorded as having unclaimed mail, so either accompanied her husband or followed him out. Michael was their second child and their eldest son.

Around 1866, Michael McKeevor was posted to Willunga. He, his wife Martha and baby daughter Elizabeth Mary (b. 1865, Redruth) moved there. Michael and Martha expanded their family at Willunga with Clara Maud (b. 1869, Willunga) Rosetta Lucinda (b. 1871, Willunga) Edward Patrick (b. 1873, but died 7 hours after birth, Willunga), Alice Bona, (b. 1875, Willunga), William Rupert (b. 1877, Willunga), Florence Gertrude (b. 1879, died 7 days after birth, Willunga).

He was described at various times as “active” and “energetic”, and he also became bailiff to the Willunga Local Court. He was posted at Willunga for about 14 years. During that time, Michael dealt with the terrifying bushfires of 1874, an attempted axe murder and various other crimes and situations. He was involved in the community, acting as a judge at the Willunga shows, participating in sports events and a leading resident, Richard Logan appointed him as co-executor of his will.

On 5 March 1880, to the regret of the Willunga community, Michael was stationed at Gawler when promoted to corporal. He and Martha then gave birth to Amy Gertrude Martha (b. 1880, Gawler). After this posting, the McKeevors were stationed in Clare where Martha gave birth to Kathleen Iva/Eva (b. 1884, Clare). Sadly, Martha died at Clare in 1888 at the age of 45, and was buried at Sevenhills. It seems that Michael achieved the rank of Sergeant before he retired in 1897, and received £429 3s for his service with the Police.

Michael McKeevor died on March 15, 1919 at his home at 42 Fourth Avenue St Peters. He was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the West Terrace cemetery.

• His surname is sometimes stated also as McIvor, McKeiror and McKeever.

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