John LYSTER (1834 - 1878)        Baptism: 3 August 1834 Gowran, Kilkenny Ireland            Died: 28 November 1878         Father: Peter LYSTER      Mother: Mary CANTWELL Wife: Mary Ann FLEURY        Married: Children:

John Lyster was born in 1834 in Gowran in Kilkenny Ireland. His parents were Peter Lyster and Mary Cantwell.
Following the Great Irish famine John and his older brother, James came to Australia. James settled in Seymour and John moved to Kilmore. Shortly afterwards in 1863 John met Mary Ann the daughter of James Fleury and Margaret Fitzpatrick. Kilmore became an Irish-Catholic township with the arrival of small farmers attracted by the rich volcanic soil. The young couple were soon married in Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church before family and friends.
The family were blessed with ten children six daughters and four sons. The family lived in Victoria Street for several years before moving to Fitzroy Street.
John and his brother were active members of the community and were instrumental in overseeing and constructing some important buildings in the surrounding districts including Kilmore hospital.  John also benefited from the knowledge of his father-in-law James Fleury, who was a qualified  architect. The family were fortunate not to lose their home when fire broke out in an adjoining property.

A few years after the devastating fire at the bakehouse the townspeople called a public meeting at the Red Lion Hotel to establish a fire brigade. Mr Kerr moved and Mr Lyster seconded, “that this meeting proceed to choose from amongst their townsmen the requisite number to form the brigade – say 20 members.” Carried.(2)
John served on the Kilmore Council Borough and became immersed in local affairs. He didn’t seek re-election and retired in August 1871.(3)
John also took an active role in sport captaining the local cricket team.(4)
In May 1871 the Kilmore Hospital committee met to discuss progress and tenders for works to be carried out. A building committee was formed, and John was appointed clerk of works at a salary of £40.(5)

Shortly afterwards a sad event fell on the Lyster family with the death of their son James Patrick, aged three years.(6)
John’s experience, as a carpenter grew, and he soon established himself as a builder.

A veil of sadness again hung over the family when the couples second son named for John’s father Peter died in 1873, aged five years.

In 1873 the family moved to Nagambie where four more children were born. John was suffering from rheumatism and his health began to decline. He died in a Melbourne Hospital on 28 November 1878 a result of rheumatism and acute congestion on the lungs, aged 44 years. His brother James made the funeral arrangements and John’s body was interred in the Seymour cemetery. Following John’s untimely death his wife Mary Ann was left in dire circumstances with eight children including a babe in arms.(8)

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Last Updated: 02-Jun-2026 16:05
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