From farm hand to owner of a milling empire!
I mentioned in last week's blog that this week I would steer clear of a tragedy and include a story of inspiration. This man's name is seen on an old building I pass every time I take the train to Sydney CBD. FRANCIS CRAGO Francis was born in January 1848 in Liskeard, Cornwall, England, the third son of four of William Crago and Elizabeth (nee Tamblyn). His only two sisters had died in infancy prior to his birth. The family were of farming stock and the sons followed their father in that field. All were educated and could read and write. His eldest brother, Petherick, immigrated to Australia with his new wife, Ann in June 1858 just a few months after their marriage. He did so to undertake employment offered by the Government in Yass. Petherick could see the opportunities for his family in this colony which was rapidly expanding due to the gold rush and the industrial revolution and duly sponsored the rest of his family to come to Australia. They arrived in Sydney on boa