Neidpath - designed by architect by Edward Davies - a Federation style mansion, complete with gables, wide verandahs and cupola tower, domed turret with wrap around balcony on one side, c1910.
The family home of James Wigham McGregor, wool broker and scourer, woollen cloth manufacturer and pastoralist. He founded the firm of J W McGregor and Sons, Limited, woolbrokers, and established the Torrenside woollen mills at Thebarton.
The well-known manufacturer, Mr J. W. McGregor, will leave for England on another visit shortly. Mr. McGregor, who has given most generously and unostentatiously to the war funds, will be absent for about five months. Ref: Critic (Adelaide SA) Wednesday 22 March 1916.
*A Manufacturer’s Travels
Mr J W McGregor (of the Adelaide woolbroking firm of J W McGregor and Sons, Limited), accompanied by his wife and their son, Mr William McGregor, returned by the RMS Narkunda on Saturday after 11 months' absence from the State, during which they visited England and the Continent. Mr McGregor is an ex-President of the South Australian Chamber of Manufacturers: interviewed by a representative of The Register, he said that he and his wife and son had had an enjoyable holiday in England, France, Italy, and Belgium.
Greeting from Former Governors
Mr McGregor met a good many South Australians in England. He had the pleasure of participating in some golf play with Sir Henry Galway in London. Sir Henry and Lady Galway were both looking remarkably well. He also had the pleasure of meeting Sir Archibald Weigall and Lady Weigall. They all asked him to convey their greetings to their many friends in South. Australia. - Sir Edward Lucas, as Agent General, was assiduous in extending to visitors many courtesies.
We were very glad to get back to South Australia, concluded Mr McGregor. Of course we enjoyed Scotland and England during the summer months: but we could not help giving a sigh of satisfaction when we arrived back in sunny South Australia.
Ref: Register (Adelaide SA) Tuesday 4 December 1923.
*The late Mr J W McGregor – Died suddenly in Melbourne
While on a visit to Melbourne, Mr J W McGregor, one of Adelaide's business leaders, died in a private hospital on Saturday morning after a short illness. Mr McGregor was born at Hawick, South Scotland, in 1861. He came to South Australia in 1882 in the ‘Norfolk’ — a famed Money & Wigram auxiliary vessel. He stayed, in Adelaide for a few months, and then went to Melbourne.
The late Mr David Murray asked Mr McGregor to return to Adelaide to take charge of the Lobethal tweed mills, which position he held for four years. He then established the woollen mills at Thebarton, which have gained an Australian reputation. He was a conspicuous figure in the Australian wool industry, and, in addition to being a prominent buyer at Adelaide sales and head of the firm of J W McGregor and Sons Limited, wool brokers and scourers of Thebarton, he was interested in Melton Station, a well-appointed and extensive run in the north-east, near Waukaringa. He took a leading part in the Commonwealth wool scheme, and represented South Australia on the committee.
Other Activities.
The late Mr McGregor had many interests outside his own particular business, During the war he was a practical supporter of patriotic movements. He helped towards the establishment of Scots College, Mitcham, and the extension of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Glen Osmond, and took a keen interest in any matters connected, with the Presbyterian Church. A member of the councils of the Chambers, of Manufactures and Commerce, he was President of the former body from 1920 to 1922. Speaking at the annual banquet of the chamber in 1922, Mr A E Clarkson - (President of the Chamber of Commerce) paid a tribute to Mr McGregor's sterling qualities. The latter, he said, had proved, himself to be one of the most successful of a group of excellent Presidents, and the community owed much to Mr McGregor's foresight in providing a two years’ series of most fascinating lectures on “Manufactures of the State.” These lectures had become text books. In July last Mr McGregor was appointed Chief of the South Australian Caledonian Society, with which he had been connected for more than 40 years. He subscribed freely toward the movement for the erection of a Caledonian hall in Adelaide. Only recently Mr McGregor took a seat on the directorate of the Executor and Trustee Agency Company.
He also helped to found the Tax-payers Association of this, State and was a member of the executive committee of the Flinders Statue Fund.
Mrs McGregor, who was formerly Miss Mary Waddell, of Adelaide, accompanied her husband on his trip to Melbourne. There also survive four sons.
Ref: Register (Adelaide SA) Monday 16 March 1925.
*Mr William Wigham McGregor, a director of J W McGregor & Sons, Limited, wool brokers and scourers, regularly attends wool sales in Adelaide and Melbourne. He is known in all sections of the trade in South Australia and other States.
His father, the late Mr J W McGregor, was founder of the business more than 40 years ago. At first he began making woollen blankets in a small shed on the site of the present wool scouring works at Thebarton, but a few years later he took up buying and scouring.
In 1919 the woollen mills, known as Torrenside, were sold to Goode, Durrant & Co Limited. The late Mr McGregor continued the business on his own account until December, 1921, and the following month it was converted into a company.
Born in South Australia, Mr William McGregor was educated at Prince Alfred College, and subsequently became associated with the business on the buying side. Toward the end of 1922 he went to Britain and the Continent to gain further experience in sorting and scouring.
Since his return in 1923 Mr McGregor has been concerned chiefly with the buying side. Toward the end of 1922 he went to Britain and the Continent to gain further experience in sorting and scouring.
Since his return in 1923 Mr McGregor has been concerned chiefly with the buying operations of the company. In addition he is interested in Melton Pastoral Company, Limited. He is highly regarded in the trade. Golf is the chief recreation of Mr McGregor. He is a member of the Royal Adelaide Club.
Ref: News (Adelaide SA) Wednesday 30 April 1930.
