James Stein

James Stein (c.1804 – 25 October 1877) was a pioneering settler of the Mid North of South Australia and founder of the Kadlunga pastoralism estate.

James Stein was closely associated with Scottish nobility. A scion of an important whisky distilling family, he was born c.1804 in Scotland, a son of John Stein (b.1769-c.1814), of Kilbagie, Clackmannon, Scotland, a London banker and member 1796-1802 of the House of Commons for Bletchingley.

James Stein’s sister, Anne Duff (Stein) (1788-1859), Countess of Fife, was married to General Sir Alexander Duff. Their son James was created Baron Skene, whose son Alexander, 1st Duke of Fife, married Princess Louise, eldest daughter of King Edward VII.

In 1829, the distillery interests of Stein’s father and uncles, who had earlier been much connected at Canonmills with whisky distillers James and John Haig, struck financial difficulties and all related partnerships were dissolved. Young James Stein, having the benefit of a good education, then sought to make his own fortune in Australia, arriving at Sydney in September 1833 on the ship Sir John Roe Reid.

He then engaged in squatting pursuits in New South Wales as a pioneering grazier, firstly in the Goulburn district and then in the Yass district. Being an accomplished cross-country rider, Stein was actively involved in the local hunt club as a participant and organizer of the Argyle Hounds. Along with other 'sporting gentleman' he rode horses in both match races and steeplechases. His neighbor and friend at Yass was William Hardy, brother of John Richard Hardy (1807–58), Yass newspaper editor and police magistrate.

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