John Donald Clucas

Epithet: MHK, CP, JP, Manx agricultural pioneer (1869-1939)

Record type: Biographies

Biography: From ‘New Manx Worthies’ (2006):

When J.D. Clucas died at Thornhill, Port Erin, on 2nd May 1939 the Island lost a well-known public servant of rare ability.

John Donald or 'JD' as he was fondly known, was born at Sunnyside, Victoria Road, Onchan on 9th May 1869, the eldest of six children. His father was John Thomas Clucas, for many years Government Secretary and Treasurer, MHK, CP and JP, whom JD was to emulate throughout his own life.

He was educated at Uppingham and then studied law at Pembroke College, Cambridge where he gained his MA. He was called to the English Bar in 1892 and was admitted to the Manx Bar in 1894, practising at 46 Athol Street, Douglas.

Living at Ballakilley, Rushen, he entered public life, becoming an MHK for Rushen in February 1897 when he was only 27 years old - at that time the youngest member ever to be elected to the Keys. Being the owner of a considerable amount of land on the Island which included many farms, JD moved to Thornhill near Ramsey becoming MHK for Ayre (1906-8). Much of his time was taken up in running the estate with most of the farms being managed by a farm manager. This close proximity to the land was an interest that remained with him for the rest of his life, and family tradition maintains that during World War I, to improve the Manx national herds, he was the first person to bring Suffolk sheep and Aberdeen Angus cattle into the Island - at his farm at Ballasteen, Andreas. For this he received a medal in 1925 from the Suffolk Sheep Society. These sheep are still widely used in sheep breeding today and the Aberdeen Angus cattle are known for their hardiness.

Because of the property vote which was practised on the Island at the time he was able to become MHK for Rushen again from 1908-1913, and it was during this time that he began to broaden his commercial interests. He became a director of several boards, including the Isle of Man Bank, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Manx Northern Railway and Manx Salt & Alkali Company. He was also Past Provincial Grand Master of the Isle of Man District of the Oddfellows. He served with distinction as chairman of the Local Government Board and also on the Board of Agriculture and as chairman and secretary of the Common Lands Board. Education was another of his interests and he was chairman of the Old Rushen School Board for a long period. His obituary in the Isle of Man Examiner of 5th May 1939 records that he was associated with almost all the main public activities at some time during his career. He changed constituencies again in 1919, becoming MHK for Ayre until 1924 when his career in the Keys ended by his being appointed a Member of the Legislative Council. He was made a JP in 1921.

During the 1930s JD's health was not good and he was nursed privately at his home at Thornhill, Ramsey. During this time he was treated by Dr Ella Martin Hickman, and they were married in the house in 1934.

At this time he was also winning cups and medallions for his excellent stock in the annual Christmas shows and agricultural shows. He was very proud of the Clydesdale and Shire stallions - still being used in agriculture at that time - which he had first brought to the Island in the early part of the 20th century.

Whilst still living at Thornhill, Ramsey, in'the late '30s he embarked on the building of Thornhill, Port Erin, built to the exact ground floor dimensions of his parents' home. Sadly he only lived for less than a year in his new home.

At the time of his death he had been Captain of the Parish of Rushen for 45 years. Having been appointed on10th April1894, he was thus distinguished as the longest-serving Captain on the Island.

Deemster Reginald Douglas Farrant, in his tribute in the Chancery Court in Douglas, said he deplored the passing of such a man as Mr Clucas, whom he described as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, member of the Manx Bar: 'during the whole of our generation he had filled a considerable niche in the local community ... as a legislator, as a captain of the parish and as the oldest Justice of the Peace, no less than as a practising advocate, he always impressed everyone with his honesty of purpose and fairness of mind'.

When J.D. Clucas died on 2nd May 1939 he was accorded a very traditional funeral; as was customary at funerals in the south of the Island, Rushen schoolchildren lined part of the route and the 91st Psalm was chanted as the procession approached the church, led by the parish clerk.

He was a true Manxman in every way, his passing being deeply regretted throughout the community with whom he gained the highest respect and affection

Biography written by Elizabeth A.L. McMillin (niece).

(With thanks to Culture Vannin as publishers of the book: Kelly, Dollin (general editor), ‘New Manx Worthies’, Manx Heritage Foundation/Culture Vannin, 2006, pp.91-2.)

Culture Vannin

#NMW

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 9 May 1869

Date of death: 2 May 1939

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