Family background
Thomas Clarke was born about 1845 at Pettigo, on the border of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, and County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the son of Thomas Clarke and Jane Whitton. Clarke immigrated to Australia, arriving at Sydney on 18 January 1863 on board the ship Coldstream.
An immigration record noted his religion was Church of England, that he could read and write and that had a brother named William Clarke, living in Kiama, where he probably moved to shortly after his arrival. He married Susan Robinson at Kiama on 17 June 1873, and they had 4 sons and 1 daughter. The family lived at 318 Abercrombie Street, Redfern.
Clarke died on 28 December 1922, aged 74 years, at Hazelbrook, NSW and was buried in the Methodist section at Lawson Cemetery.
Occupation & interests
Thomas Clarke’s listed occupation upon arrival in Sydney was labourer. In Sydney, he operated as a produce merchant and as a commission agent in Sussex Street. His opponents noted he was a vice-president of the Orange Lodge. He was a member of the Redfern Bowling Club.
Community activity
Thomas Clarke was a Justice of the Peace (JP).
Parliamentary service
Thomas Clarke was a Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for Darlington from 27 July 1896 to 11 June 1901.
Local government service
Following the retirement of Alderman Alexander Graham, Thomas Clarke was elected as an alderman for Golden Grove Ward in 1886. He served for four terms: 1886-89, 1891-92, 1896-97 and 1900-05. He was mayor in 1890 and 1898-99.
References
Advertising’, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 January 1886, p.12, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13609978
The late Mr T Clarke’, Sydney Morning Herald, 30 December 1922, p. 12, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16037914