He traded as R.W. McKinnon and Cree, General Dealers.
In June 1850 John married Mary Ride, the daughter of a Primitive Methodist Minister. In 1851 their son John Ride Cree was born.
Unfortunately, the business failed, and John and Mary followed her parents to Benalla, where John set up another business, again called McKinnon and Cree.
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As there are no rate books for this time, it is not known where the business was situated.
John Cree became ill and died in June 1856 at his father-in law's home. He was aged 31. He is buried in the Benalla Cemetery.
Mary Ride Cree then married John Prosser in November 1856. Unfortunately for Mary John was to die after only four years of marriage.
In 1861 Mary would marry Thomas Hoskin. This marriage seems to have been a long one with Mary dying in 1902, 11 days before her 72nd birthday.
Her son John Ride Cree went on to become a successful jockey, starting his career at about 15 years of age, when he rode his first race for Mr Kitt of Wangaratta.
He also rode in the Chiltern Handicap, and in 1871 won the Wagga Cup.
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In 1886 whilst riding in a steeplechase race at Flemington, John's horse “Wickliffe” fell, with the horse landing on top of him.
John was taken to the Melbourne Hospital in a unconscious state. He was operated on, but his injuries were too severe to save him.
In a moment of consciousness, John, who was a bachelor left everything he owned to his mother and expressed a wish to be buried in Benalla with his father.
John’s remains were brought to Benalla by train on the Saturday night with a large funeral taking place on the Sunday.
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The hearse was preceded by 48 members of the Loyal Lodge of Oddfellows of which John was a member, followed by 20 vehicles and 60 horsemen.
John Ride Cree was buried with his father. The exact location of the grave is not known but there is a small headstone in the general area of the cemetery.
Find out more about Benalla's past by checking out our Coo-ee series:
When polio swept across Benalla - Coo ee
Eventful Day on the Railway - Coo-ee
Tragedy at Winton - Coo-ee
Premonitions and Nightmares - Coo-ee
A Life of Contrasts - Coo-ee
Australian Concentration Camps - Coo-ee
Dan Kelly Held Up - Coo-ee
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