James McLachlan (Australian politician)

James McLachlan (9 March 1871 – 1 December 1956) was an Australian politician. Born in Alma in the Mid North of South Australia, he was educated at Winham College before becoming a farmer at Dalkey near where he grew up. His parents James and Catherine, had both immigrated from Scotland.^[1]

James McLachlan
Senator for South Australia
In office 1 July 1935 – 30 June 1947
Member for Wooroora
In office 6 April 1918 – 31 January 1930
Personal details
Born	(1871-03-09)9 March 1871 Alma, South Australia
Died	1 December 1956(1956-12-01) (aged 85) Kensington
Political party	UAP (1935–45) Liberal (1945–47)
Spouse	Ellen Louisa Jury
Children	Four
Parent(s)	James and Catherine McLachlan
Occupation	Farmer, storekeeper, stock agent

McLachlan married Ellen Louisa Jury in 1894 and abandoned farming in 1902 following a severe drought. After working as a storekeeper and agent, he was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the Liberal member for Wooroora in 1918, serving until 1930.^[2] His father had held the same seat from 1893 to 1902. He resigned on 31 January 1930 to take up an appointment on the Pastoral Board of South Australia.^[1]

In the 1934 election, McLachlan was elected to the Australian Senate as a United Australia Party Senator for South Australia, taking the seat from 1 July 1935. He served as Chairman of Committees from 1938 to 1941.^[3] McLachlan held his seat until his retirement in 1946 (by which time he was a member of the Liberal Party). He died in 1956.^[4]