Joseph Barracluff was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1861 and died at his ostrich farm on 23 November, 1918 at the age of 57. He is buried in Waverley Cemetery, section 11, grave 667. On his death he was survived by his wife Jane Barracluff (neé Kibbler) and sons Joseph Jnr and William Robert.

There is little detail about Barracluff’s early life, though there is a romantic family history tale about his birth in Southern Russia. In 1884 he and his wife immigrated to Australia, arriving and settling in Sydney. Little is known about Jane Barracluff, however some reports describe her as being South African. He established himself in business, selling feathers in a small shop in Elizabeth Street Sydney opposite the old Devonshire Street Cemetery, now Central Railway Station.

In 1889 Joseph and Jane Barracluff purchased a property at South Head to start their own feather business, one of the earliest in Australia. Barracluff’s Ostrich Farm was for many years Australia’s show ostrich farm, with a high profile in business circles and in the media.

Joseph Barracluff had a long career in local government, serving as an Alderman on Waverley Council from 21 October 1907 until his death in 1918. He was elected as Mayor of Waverley between 1914-1916. Prior to his election to Waverley Council he was an Alderman for Watson’s Bay, which fell under Woollahra Council. He was also the founder and captain of the Waverley Rifle Club.