Biography

Martin Skahill had been suffering from a cancerous growth on the left lung for six weeks and three weeks before his death, he was taken to the hospital, where he passed quietly away at the early age of 32. A little over six months before, he purchased the blacksmithing business of Niels Sorrenson and had just succeeded in working up a good connection. His genial manner won him many friends. The deceased had spent 23 years in Victoria before arriving in Western Australia. His parents were both born in Ireland. His father emigrated to Australia, arriving on 25 February 1861 on the "Hotspur'. His mother, Bridget, arrived in Victoria in 1860. She married James O'Loughlin in 1861 in Victoria. They had two children before his death in 1867. Bridget then married Patrick Skahill in Yackandandah on 19 September 1968. Their family consisted of Thomas born 1870; Martin born 1872; Edward Bernard born 1874; John born 1878; Mary Agnes born 1881; Bridget Veronica Yackandandah born 1883. Patrick Skahill died on 17 Sep 1910 at Yackandandah. His wife died in 1917 at Yackandandah.