William James Magarey
South Australian miller and politician
About William James Magarey
Lived 1840 – 1920 (aged 79–80). William James Magarey was an Australian and British politician, miller and business executive.
William James Magarey (1840 – 15 December 1920) was a flour miller and politician in the early days of the colony of South Australia.
History William was a son of Thomas Magarey's brother, James Magarey ( – 11 August 1859). James Magarey ran Gannawarra Station on Gunbower Creek (a tributary of the River Murray), later owned a flour mill in Hindmarsh, South Australia, then moved to "Laurel Bank Villa", Geelong, Victoria and drowned following the wreck of . William worked on his father's station and moved to Geelong with him.
He took over the flour mill at Hindmarsh and purchased one at Port Pirie. He held the House of Assembly seat of West Torrens from April 1878 to March 1881.
Other activities He was on the boards of the Savings Bank, National Mutual Life Association, and the South Australian Woollen Company. He was also chairman for some years of the Executor and Trustee Agency Company and British Broken Hill Proprietary.
He was an enthusiastic member of South Australia's Volunteer Force (a pre-Federation militia).
Family On 10 March 1864 he married Anna Eliza Bundey ( – 10 August 1920), a sister of Sir Henry Bundey; they had a daughter Edith May (died before 1920), and a son William Ashley Magarey (1868–1929), South Australian lawyer, originator of the Magarey Medal.
Around 1908 he became afflicted with rheumatism, but refused to relinquish any of his duties until incapable of walking.
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Important facts
People in William James Magarey's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William James Magarey's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William James Magarey?
South Australian miller and politician (1840–1920)
When was William James Magarey born?
William James Magarey was born in 1840 in Adelaide, Manchester.
When did William James Magarey die?
William James Magarey died on 15 December 1920 in North Adelaide.
What was William James Magarey's occupation?
William James Magarey was a politician, miller and business executive.
What nationality was William James Magarey?
William James Magarey was Australian and British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William James Magarey
· DBpedia: William James Magarey
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William James Magarey. https://biography.guide/william-james-magarey/
MLA: "William James Magarey." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-james-magarey/.
Chicago: "William James Magarey." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-james-magarey/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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