JOHN ELIHU BODY
JOHN ELIHU BODY was the fourth son of Mr T. E. Body, mill owner, of Tumut, and
was born at Plymouth, England, in 1845. He was brought to New South Wales with
his parents when he was seven years of age. His early education was received at
Tumut and Sydney. For a short period after leaving school he engaged in farming,
only to leave that to become an apprentice to the milling business under Mr.
Henry Hayes, of Wagga Wagga. After his apprenticeship had expired, he remained
with Mr. Hayes for a further period of two years, during which he became
conversant with all the details of mill working.
In 1872 he came to Cooma and took over the mill erected by Mr. Alexander
Montague. This he ran for a number of years until the advent of the railway
caused the cessation of wheat growing, as flour was then readily obtained by
rail.
He afterwards engaged in a wool, skin, hide, and produce business. He was
appointed a member of the Land Board in 1885, and occupied that position for
many years.- He was on various occasions an Alderman of the Municipality, and
was Mayor in 1893. He married a Miss Howell through whom he was connected with
many of the pioneer families. He died a number of years back.
Of his sons, one, Mr. J. E. Body, carries on in Cooma his father's business,
which has grown to large dimensions, and another, Mr. C. K. Body, is Chief Clerk
in the Divorce Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. A brother, Mr. Edmund Body, at
one time owned Jindabyne West Station
'Back to Cooma' Felix Mitchell pp73
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