Basic Biographical Details Name: | Charles Gordon O'Neill | Designation: | | Born: | 1828 | Died: | 8 November 1900 | Bio Notes: | Charles Gordon O'Neill was born in Glasgow in 1828, son of John O'Neill, hotel proprietor, and his wife Mary. He undertook training in engineering and joined John Carrick's staff as Assistant Superintendent of Works in or before 1853 when he designed the suspension bridge at Glasgow Green. As part of his duties he surveyed James Smith's house in Blythswood Square for the trial of Madeleine Hamilton Smith and a house in Sandyford Place for the murder of Jessie McLaughlin. Although a full-time official he appears to have had permission to undertake private work for the Roman Catholic community, designing churches and schools.
In September 1863 O'Neill emigrated to Otago, New Zealand where he was appointed surveyor to the provincial government. He was later district engineer at Clutha, and laid out the town of Milton. He prospered in the gold rush in Inangahua from 1865 onwards, his principal known architectural work being the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart at Reefton, South Island.
In 1881 he moved to Sydney, where he practised as an architect and engineer as well as being a driving force behind various Roman Catholic charitable organisations. He died there at St Vincent's Hospital on 8 November 1900. A bachelor, he was survived by his brother John, his constant companion, who died the following year. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1853 | 1863 | | | 40, Abbotsford Place, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1860 * | 1862 | | | South Albion Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1862 * | | City Architect's department | | Otago, New Zealand | Business | 1863 | | | | Sydney, Australia | Private/business | 1881 | 1900 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Australian Dictionary of Biography | | Australian Dictionary of Biography | | | Volume 5, Melbourne University Press, 1974, p. 367 and at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050421b.htm - biography by C J Foley
| | Historic Buildings of New Zealand | | Historic Buildings of New Zealand, South Island | | | p140 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Glasgow Herald | 23 September 1863 | | | |
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