James Toohey

James Matthew Toohey (18 March 1850 – 25 September 1895) was a brewer and politician in the Colony of New South Wales.

Early life

He was born in Melbourne to businessman Matthew Toohey and Honora Hall, his middle name referring to Father Mathew, the Irish apostle of temperance. He was educated at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne.

On 5 June 1873 he married Catherine Magdalene Ferris, with whom he had twelve children.

Brewing In 1870, aged 20, he opened a brewing business with his brother John. The brewery was successful, moving to larger premises in 1873 and again in 1876, and would eventually become the public company Tooheys. He was elected second with 16.1% of the vote, holding it until he resigned in 1893. Toohey said that his resignation was in protest at the failure of the Protectionist Dibbs government to implement principles of protection. He did not hold ministerial or other parliamentary position.

Death Toohey went on a trip to Ireland, England and Europe, however he died at Pisa in Italy on . and he was buried in Rookwood Cemetery. He was succeeded in the brewing business by his eldest son, John Thomas.