Basic Biographical Details Name: | John Orkney | Designation: | | Born: | 1828 or 1829 | Died: | 12 November 1909 | Bio Notes: | John Orkney was born in 1829 or 1829, the son of Robert Orkney, feuar and builder, and his wife, Janet McFie. He was brought up to the drapery business and early on started the Albion warehouse (on the corner of Victoria Street and Gallowgate) which carried on business successfully until about 1890. He also acted as shipping agent for some of the principal lines and as Lloyd’s agent in Bute. At the same time he followed his father by engaging in business as a feuar and builder. He erected some of the principal terraces in Rothesay, including some in the Craigmore district.
Outwith his professional life Orkney was very involved in the affairs of the town. He entered the Town Council in the 1860s, later becoming a Magistrate and from 1875-1878 Lord Provost. He served as a JP for over thirty years and was a freemason, being a member of Rothesay St John’s Lodge. He was a member of the congregation of the established church and was actively involved from 1872 in the building of the new parish church ‘on the front’.
In person Orkney was described as having a ‘handsome presence and kindly genial manner’ and was generally very popular.
He married twice, first to Helen Tod and second to Jessie Jones. He died on 12 November 1909. He was survived by his second wife and two sons and four daughters.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Bute, Bute, Scotland | Business | | | | | Orcadia, Ascog, Bute, Scotland | Private | | 1909 | | | Rosehill, Academy Road, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland | Private | 1876 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1860 | Orcadia | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | 'Possibly' (HS) | | 1868 | Wimbleton (and terrace of houses) | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | | | 1875 | Elysium Terrace | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | | | 1870s or 1880s | Rosebank | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | | | 1870s or 1880s | Rosehill | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | | | 1887 | Glenburn Hydropathic | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | Extensive additions, including new drawing room and twenty bedrooms |
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | The Buteman, Advertiser for the Western Isles (lat | 26 November 1909 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | |
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