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BURNS, S.
(Mayor of Burra) |
Burra Record, 7
June 1916 Death of Mr. S. Burns J.P.
Whilst it was
received with many expressions of very deep and genuine regret, the
news that Mr. Samuel Burns, J.P. of Kooringa, had passed away on
Sunday night at 10 o’clock was quite expected.
Up till just 5½
years about Mr. Burns was noted or his great strength and activity, he
had never suffered a day’s illness in his life, but was then suddenly
the victim of a “stroke” which only his wonderful constitution enabled
him to survive. He never completely regained his health, and about
five weeks ago another stroke laid him low. Even from that he rallied
and fro a time it was thought he would recover, but on Thursday night
last there was another attack and from that he never regained
consciousness.
No more highly
respected man ever lived in the town than Mr. Burns. For 30 years he
was a local preacher, and he upheld his precept by his example;
strictly honest in his business, unvarying cheerful in health or
sickness, thoroughly kind hearted, he enjoyed and deserved the respect
and esteem of all.
On the whole his
life was an uneventful one. He was born in Burra on June 22nd, 1858,
and about 30 years ago established the blacksmith and wheelwright’s
business which he owned to the last.
He took a very
considerable interest in public matters. For some years he was a
member of the Town Council and was Mayor for twelve months, whilst
during his second year in the position he had to resign on account of
his ill-health. He was Chairman of Trustees of the Burra Burra Lodge,
M.U. I.O.O.F., and trustee of the Rachabite Lodge. He was prominent in
Masonry and attained the Senior Warden’s chair in Kooringa. No 6, his
health again preventing him taking the next step. Besides being a
local preacher he was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school
for some years.
To mourn their
loss, deceased leaves a widow, six sons and three daughters. The
family comprise, Norman, Gladstone and Charles in Kooringa; Garfield
with the Light Horse in Egypt; Robert, who enlisted in Fiji, with the
King’s Royal Rifles n France; Jack in Melbourne; Mrs. Alan Murrie, of
Port Pirie; Misses Lydia and Melva, of Kooringa, and three
grandchildren. Deceased’s brother the Rev. J A. Burns, Presbyterian
minister, Midura, is the only surviving member of the family.
The funeral took
place yesterday when the last marks of respect were paid to an honored
townsman and confirmed by the presence of his brethren in the virus
orders and t by the townspeople generally. The funeral service was
read by the Rev. A.J. . Finch and the mortuary arrangements were in
the hands of Messrs. C.J. Pearce and Son. |
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Brummitt,
Dr Robert |
Burra Record, 19 Jan. 1927
Obituary
The death of Dr. Robert
Brummitt, sen., which occurred at Medindie on Monday, 10th
January, removes a once highly esteemed resident and physician of
Burra.
The deceased gentleman
was born in Lincolnshire in 1851, and early in life decided to embark
upon a medical career.
He was educated at Guy’s
Hospital in London, and in 1874 was awarded the diploma of M.R.C.S.
(Eng) and L.S.A. (Lond.). Shortly afterwards, having qualified for his
profession, the doctor visited Australia, to which country he returned
in 1877 to join Dr. Nesbit in practice at Burra.
For 23 years he lived in
Kooringa, and despite the demands of his time, the doctor found time
to interest himself in every movement, which involved the progress of
the town.
In April of 1900 Dr.
Brummitt and family left the town, and before leaving they were given
a splendid send-off, and embodied in a beautiful address presented on
that occasion were a number of offices of usefulness held by him
during his residence here.
For four years he
occupied the mayoral chair (1894. 1895, 1896, 1897) was a Justice of
the Peace, member, President, and Treasurer of the Institute
Committee, member of the Agricultural Society and Horticultural
Bureau, also various improvements and reading societies, the founder
of the Burra Benevolent Society, which in those days had plenty of
scope for its work.
It was almost impossible
for a town to have had finer Christian gentlemen as doctors than the
late Drs. J.I. Sangster (sen. and Jun.) and Dr. Brummitt, and these
three gentlemen played a very vital part in the development of the
Burra Hospital.
A prominent Methodist, he
was not only a regular attendant at church, but an office-bearer and
most acceptable local preacher, and both his and his good wife’s
removal at that time created a very big gap.
Upon leaving Burra, he
made a trip to England and on his return settled at Medindie, where he
practised until a few years ago.
Dr. Brummitt married Miss
Jane Roach, the younger daughter of the late John Roach of Aberdeen
who survives. There are also two sons Drs. Elliot Brummitt, of
Medindie, and Robert D. Brummitt St. Peters; two daughters Mrs S.
Forsaith, Mount Gambier and Miss M. G. Brummitt. |
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Cave, John D. |
Burra Record, 25 Oct. 1899 Obituary
After
a short illness of about one week John D. Cave, aged 77, has died at
his residence, Victoria Park. [sic] He was a resident for almost 30
years and a prominent townsman.
He was
interested in the Institute, was active in the early years of the
first Agricultural Society [i.e. Show Society] and in the Anglican
Church.
He was
Secretary of the Burra Hospital from its inception and clerk of the
Burra and Hanson District Councils for many years.
As a
JP he was respected for impartiality and he took an interest in sports
in the area.
He was
auditor of the Town Council and Secretary of the National Defence
League.
The
funeral on Saturday was largely attended. He leaves one son, H.F.
Cave (Manager of the National Bank, North Adelaide) and four
daughters: Mrs P.L. Killicoat (Abberton Park), Mrs A. Butterworth
(Adelaide) and the Misses F. & E. Cave of Victoria Park. [sic]
[In
this item Victoria Park should read Victoria Place.] |
Crewes,
E. W.
(Mayor of Burra)
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Burra Record, 28
August 1929
DEATH OF MR. E.
W. CREWES
The news of the
death of Mr. Ernest William Crewes, which occurred at the Burra
Hospital on Sunday evening, after a short illness, came as a
tremendous shock to the whole community, many of whom were unaware
that he was seriously ill.
For some days
previously he had been suffering from influenza and on Friday
afternoon was removed to the Hospital. He was then able with his son’s
assistance to walk out to his car. However, on Saturday morning
complications set in and Sunday midday the distant members of the
family and his only sister, Mrs. Hetty Richards, were hastily summoned
and with the exception of his youngest daughter, who resides in New
South Wales, were present at his bedside before he passed away.
Born at
Bridgewater, Somersetshire, he afterwards lived in London until he was
nine years of age, then, on the death of his father, he went to
Cornwall. When about 19 years of age, in company with his mother and
only sister, he left Cornwall for Australia in the ship, “Hesperus”
and on arrival at Port Adelaide came direct to Burra, where with the
exception of three years at Euriowie, near Broken Hill, the remainder
of his life was spent.
Their first home
was at Aberdeen where he went to work for H. Gartrell and Co, (in
premises now occupied by Mr. Tiddy) in whose employ he remained for a
few months. He then entered the employ of Messrs Samuel Drew and Co.
After being with the firm for some years he was sent to take charge of
a store Drew and Co. had started at Euiowie. While there he was made a
Justice of the Peace and often had to marry and bury people. When he
returned to Burra the Messrs Charles, John and Thomas Drew retired
from the firm and in April 1889, he with Mr. John Drew jun. was made a
partner under the firm of Drew and Crewes. Later on the firm merged
into a Limited Company and in 1912 it was changed to Drew and Crewes
Pty. Ltd. when Mr. Crewes was appointed Managing Director.
A man of unusual
ability he, apart from a busy business life, found time to interest
himself in all matters pertaining not only to the town but the
district. Municipal matters possibly occupied the biggest share of the
time he devoted to public affairs. For ten years he occupied the
mayoral chair. His first term was from 1901 to 1902, the second 1914
to 1919 and the third from 1921 too 1922. Strange to relate he held
office during the period of the Boer War and right through the period
of the Great War, 1914 to 1918. In both struggles Burra was to the
forefront in patriotic work, particularly in the latter when much of
the enthusiasm and devotion of the Burra and District was due to the
indefatigable and self-sacrificing work of the “War Mayor” who neither
spared himself of his well organized committees and proved himself not
only a loyal citizen but a capable and safe leader. In the Great War
it would probably be safe to say that no individual in Australia did
more than he.
His fame as a
speaker and above all as an appealer went far and wide and in this
direction he traveled hundreds of miles even speaking in other States.
Apart from Municipal matters he was a member of every society or
Committee that had the welfare of the town or district at heart, his
business ability making him a valuable asset to any organization. His
long experience as Justice of Peace was also appreciated by many folk
and his advice freely and courteously given. He was a member, officer
and local preacher of the Methodist Church and his ability as a lay
preacher was far above the ordinary. His death will create an immense
blank in the town and he will be greatly missed. He practically
retired from public life after the war and it was only under pressure
and for the purpose of raising the balance required to complete the
monument, the erection of which was largely due to this initiative,
that he consented to take the Mayoral chair in 1921-1922.
He married on June
16th, 1881, Miss Eliza Tickle, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.
Tickle of Yongala who survives. Of a family of eight, one daughter
Evelyn, and one son, Ernest, predeceased their father. The family
comprise: Mrs. J. L. Sandland, Peterborough; Mrs. J. Statton, Lower
Mitcham; Mrs. J.P. Steele, Westboure Park; Mrs. P.A. McBride, Glen
Osmond; Mr. K. R. Crewes, Burra and Mrs. J. Bishop, Grenfell, N.S.W.,
and several grandchildren. His sister, Mrs. P. Richards, resides at
Prospect.
The funeral took
place on Tuesday afternoon when over 100 cars followed the remains to
their last resting place. The hearse and coffin were simply covered
with a beautiful lot of floral tributes from all parts and various
organizations and the attendance at the grave an eloquent tribute to
the esteem and worth of such a citizen.
At their own
request men of the R.S. and S.I. League in khaki acted as bearers,
this touching tribute showing plainly how our soldiers appreciated his
efforts during the war. Could anything have pleased his more? The
bearers were: Messrs L.M. Gordon (Lieut.), G. H. Dow, J. H. Murison,
F. Spencer, W.R. Lee, and J. F. Stephen. Following the chief mourners
were the Mayor and Councillors. A further token of respect was the
fact that all business places in Kooringa and Aberdeen closed for one
hour to enable their employees to attend the funeral. A short service
was first held at he home conducted by the Rev. E. Lawson who also
officiated at the grave assisted by the Rev. Ralph Lee. A very moving
address was delivered by the Rev. W.O. Harris, Redruth, and Chairman
of the Middle District. The funeral arrangements were carried out by
Messrs, C.J. Pearce and Son. |
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Davey,
William |
Burra Record, 24 Mar.
1915 Obituary
William Davey died on 22
March of pleurisy and bronchitis. He had lived in Burra over 60
years.
He was born in the parish
of Stithians, Cornwall, in 1828 and was aged 86. He came to SA in the
Omega in 1851.
He walked to Burra and
got work as a miner and later as a storekeeper on the mine. Later
still he was District Council Clerk until he was 80 and Secretary of
the Oddfellows Lodge.
For 22½ years he was
caretaker and librarian at the Institute. He was an ardent Bible
Christian and after union a trustee of the Methodist Church. Mrs
Davey died 10 years ago.
He is survived by Mrs E.
Statton (Hallett), Mrs E.L. Davey (Burra), Messrs S.H. Davey
(Wallaroo), William (Petersburg), Jos. (Croydon), Alfred (North
Adelaide), Samuel & Milton (NSW), A.S. and E.J. (Burra).
There are 49
grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren |
Drew, John
|
Burra Record, 61, 35, 20
Aug. 1940 Obituary
Mr John Drew died at his
residence, Mt Pleasant, Kooringa, on 15 August. He is a descendant of
families that arrived here in the 1840s. He had been ill for some
weeks from heart and lung problems.
He was born in Kooringa
on 7 September 1868, the eldest son of the late Mr & Mrs Thomas Drew
and educated first at Mr White's School and then at Prince Alfred's
College until he was 17, after which he went to Pt Pirie to work for
Messrs Prest Bros., of which an uncle, Mr W. Bosomworth, was a
partner.
When Messrs John, Charles
& Thomas Drew, trading as Samuel Drew & Co., retired, Mr John Drew
jun. came from Pt Pirie in August 1889 and with the late E.W. Crewes
took over the business as Drew & Co. This became Drew & Crewes and
after some years, Drew & Crewes Pty Ltd.
As a young man he was
much involved with football and cricket and is said, when playing a
Country v. City match to have hit a ball over the pickets and into the
River Torrens.
He was an old member of
the Rifle Club and played bowls. He was a member of Burra Light Horse
under Major Watt.
He was also a long
serving member of the Burra Institute Committee and President more
than once. He was a member of the Town Council and Mayor*, during
whose term the avenue of pines leading to the cemetery was planted.
He was also a long serving member of Kooringa Methodist Church in
which he held all offices in turn and was a member and secretary of
the Trust till his death. He was for 40 years Superintendent of the
Sunday school.
On 29 September 1892 he
married Miss Catherine E. Goode, 2nd daughter of the late Mr & Mrs B.P.
Goode of Pt Pirie. Three of four children survive: Ken M. Drew
(Burra), Doris Mrs R. Scott (Barmera), & Mr John T.P. Drew
(Leighton). His second son, Alan Drew, died as a result of a car
accident last year. There are eight grandchildren.
[* He was West Ward
Councillor Dec. 1903-Nov. 1905 and Mayor Dec. 1905-Nov. 1906.] |
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Forder,
A. H.
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Burra Record, 19 Sep. 1917,
Obituary
A.H. Forder died at his
daughter's at Laura.
He was the first organist
at Kooringa Methodist Church, being succeeded by John Pearce.
When he moved to Redruth
he took a prominent role in the church there as choirmaster and
organist.
Some years ago he took up
dairying at Thackaringa. He was prominent here in musical circles and
was clerk of the local court for many years.
He was twice married, but
both wives predeceased him. An adult family of sons and daughters
survives. |
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Henderson,
W. H.
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Burra Record, 2 July
1913, Obituary
W.H. Henderson died on 25
June aged 71, of senile decay.
Mr Henderson had a
business in Burra for 44 years and was born in Hawick, Scotland.
He landed in SA in 1869
and went briefly to Clare before establishing a machinist and fitting
business, now Henderson Bros and run by his sons.
He leaves three
daughters, two sons and 27 grandchildren: Mrs Alex Harris (Kooringa),
Mrs Turley (Broken Hill), Mrs Haggar (Broken Hill), James A. Henderson
(Kooringa) & Roy Henderson (Kooringa). |
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Holder,
W. H.
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Burra Record, 28 July
1909, Obituary
Sir Frederick Holder died
on 23 July in Melbourne.
Sir Frederick Holder,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, had an apoplectic seizure
after an all-night sitting discussing the Old Age Pension. He was
greatly respected as Speaker for his fairness. He collapsed on the
floor of the House at 6.30 a.m. and died without regaining
consciousness at 4 p.m.
He was born at Happy
Valley in SA on 12 May 1850, the son of Morecott Holder. A promising
student, he was induced to become a teacher and accepted a position
under the Education Dept. He however, felt he would do better as a
journalist and secured possession of the Burra Record of which he
became editor. He wrote columns also for the Advertiser and to the
English newspapers. While still editor of The Record he became Mayor
of Burra.
In 1887 he was elected to
the SA House of Assembly at the head of the poll, along with W.B.
Rounsevell with the latter edging out Sir John Cockburn by 5 votes.
(Sir John then got elected for Mt Barker.)
On 27 June 1889 he became
Treasurer of SA in the Cabinet of Sir John Cockburn.
He was renowned for
thoroughness and helpfulness and was never factious in opposition. In
policy he was consistent. Of the 22 years in SA and Federal
Parliaments he was a Minister or Speaker for all but three of them.
He represented the same constituents throughout. In the SA Parliament
he represented Burra and was elected to Federal Parliament first on a
State-wide basis and then re-elected for Wakefield, which included
Burra. He was a strong supporter of Federal Union.
When the Commonwealth was
formed he was Premier of SA. In SA he was mostly Treasurer, but for a
while under the Kingston Government when he was Commissioner of Public
Works. The state funeral took place in Adelaide on Monday and
thousands attended despite torrential rain. |
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Killicoat,
Isaac |
Burra Record, 22 Jan.
1886, Obituary.
Isaac Killicoat was
buried yesterday. He was born in Perranwell, a village in Cornwall 5
miles south of Truro on 3 December 1809. As a youth he went into
mining and attended night classes for an education. At 19 he became a
superintendent of operations employing 500 hands. For 19 years before
migrating to Sa he was Surface Captain to the Tresavean Copper Mine,
Gwennays, Cornwall, one of the oldest and largest copper mines in
England and the second in the world to introduce a 'man engine': i.e.
a lift to lower miners into the depths of the mine. This whole time
he walked 5 miles 'back and forth' as the Cornish say, or 10 miles a
day.
In 1848 he was engaged by
John Schneider & Co., later the Patent Copper Co., to come to Burra
and superintend the purchase of ore from the SAMA and others on behalf
of the Smelting Co. This he did till the mine closed. He also bought
land and grew wheat and hay. More recently he bought Abberton Park,
named after the vessel he came in, and devoted himself to sheep. He
also used irrigation there to grow fruit trees, especially oranges and
lemons.
He was active in public
life and greatly encouraged the completion of the Burra railway. He
stood for the Legislative Council once when the whole colony was a
single constituency, but was not elected. He was appointed a member
of the first Burra District Council and elected chairman thereof. He
was also elected a member of the Midland Road Board: an office he held
until his death.
He did much to establish
the district's roads and bridges. On mining matters he was a
consultant, making two trips to New Caledonia to confer on the Ballade
Copper Mine and also to Cobar Mines in NSW as well as to mines in New
Zealand and was consulted by the owners of the mines on Yorke's
Peninsula.
He was a member of the
Church of England and a trustee of St Mary's, Burra. Thrice married,
his third wife survives him. His eldest son has been dead for some
years, but he is survived by two sons, three daughters and 22
grandchildren.
Burra Record, 29 July
1903, page 3
Reminiscences of Captain
Killicoat.
Arrived at Pt Wakefield
18 July 1853 in the barque Malacca from Montevideo after a passage of
70 days with a cargo of 180 mules imported by the Patent Copper Co.
Other passengers were E.K. Horn, Mrs Isaac Killicoat and family and
Mrs Skews and family. These mules were used to carry low-grade
surplus ore from Burra to Pt Wakefield - two bags or c. 2 cwt per
mule. This was then shipped to Swansea. Mr Horn as agent went to Rio
de Janeiro in the Malacca to buy the mules and then the barque went on
to London for the Killicoat and Skews families and brought back a
cargo of scrap iron.
On reaching Rio the Capt.
found that the mules had been bought in Montevideo and went there and
got them aboard, taking six weeks to return in rough weather. The
Mexicans in charge had much trouble on the voyage to Australia due to
very rough weather and several mules died.
Mr Horn acted as Company
agent in Pt Wakefield till the railway to Kapunda opened and traffic
was then diverted there. Mules were then used in wagons in lieu of
driving in mobs with packs of ore by the Mexicans. Other loads of
mules followed and several loads of scrap iron, but while the Malacca
was away it was found that Carculta ironstone near Black Springs would
act as a flux for Burra malachite, so the load of scrap iron was used
to build a wharf at Pt Wakefield and no more imported. Mules were
better than horses and had the longest and hardest stages (between
Mule Camp and Burra) other stages to Kapunda via White Park which were
shorter and easier were done by horses.
The Company had a variety
of teams using horses, bullocks, mules and donkeys and did much of
their own carting while others were employed in various ways. At the
works store you could buy almost anything and there was a butcher's
establishment to supply employees with meat at a time when many lived
in the Burra Creek - some with large rooms, nicely whitewashed, cool
in summer, warm in winter with fireplaces and shelves cut out of the
ground. The Patent Copper Co. had 18 reverberatory and three refining
furnaces at work. They constructed the roads and bridges between
Burra and Pt Wakefield and Baldina
and were lessees of
Baldina Run then. They also owned land between Burra and Pt Wakefield
and for example grew hay etc. at Kadlunga to feed their stock. The
Mule Camp and White Park belonged to them. The Company still carry on
smelting at Newcastle and have wharfs etc. at Pt Adelaide and Pt
Augusta and one of the best copper mines, the Clara St Dora near one
of our great northern railway stations - smelting the ore at
Newcastle.
[Note: other sources say
Chileans rather than Mexicans. White Park was on section 271 & 172
Hundred of Waterloo c. 2km north of Tothill Creek.] |
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Lane, Phillip
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Philip Lane was born at
Winkleigh, Devonshire in 1833, the son of John Lane and Mary Lane {Nee
Veal}. John Lane was a boot and shoemaker and in 1847 Philip and his
older brother came to South Australia by the "Princess Royal".
Philip started work for
Mr. J. Nosworthy, machinist, in order to learn a trade. After a short
time however he became associated with the business of Mr. James
Phillips, saddle and harness maker, of Hindley Street, Adelaide with
whom he worked for over four years. He then embarked in a brig called
"The Gazelle" the second vessel to leave South Australia for the
Victorian gold-diggings, where he engaged in prospecting for a few
months. Returning to Adelaide at the end of that time, he subsequently
made several trips backwards and forwards during three years, and met
with a fair amount of success on the fields.
In March, 1854, when
making a return journey overland, he fell in with celebrated
bushranger Morgan, on the Wimmera, near Horsham, who said he had lost
his way. Mr. Lane, not being aware of his identity, extended him an
invitation to breakfast, which he accepted and having obtained
direction, proceeded on his journey. The suspicions of the party being
aroused, however, they thought it advisable to change the venue of
their location, a move they heartily congratulated themselves upon,
when, on describing their visitor at the town of Horsham, they were
informed that it was none other than the notorious Morgan.
After working at his
trade in Adelaide for eighteen months Philip removed to Gawler, and a
year later settled at the Burra. Having spent four months in the
employ of Mr. H. Dawson, saddler, he opened in a business on his own
account, and was continuously associated with commercial life in the
town for fifty years.
On the 13th of June 1859,
Philip married Esther Moon at Kooringa. Unfortunately this union was
cut tragically short when Esther died at the age of 21 on the 11th of
June 1861.
On December 21st 1861,
Philip married Louisa James daughter of William and Louisa James.
Together they had 13 children Minetta, Flory, Horace (died age 1),
Louisa, Mary (died age 3), Edith, Harry (died age 2 mths), Horace
(died age 5 mths), Philip, Mary, Annie, Stanley Monteith and Muriel.
He handed his business
over to his son Stanley while a second business established at Broken
Hill was placed under the control of his eldest surviving son Philip.
Philip Lane was a member
of the district council of Burra, and to his influence was due the
proclamation of the Corporation. He had the honour of being elected
the first Mayor, retaining the post for two years, and after a lapse
of a couple of years was again returned for a similar period. Upon
this occasion he was the recipient of a handsome presentation in the
shape of a silver inkstand and tea service, suitable inscribed, from
his fellow townsmen.
He was instrumental in
obtaining many advantages for the town, among which may be mentioned
the road from Market Square running eastwards, a public school, the
Victoria Park Recreation Reserve, and the Burra Institute. He was a
member of the School Board of Advice for a lengthy period, visiting
Justice to the Redruth Gaol for some eighteen years, and a member of
the Foreign Bible Society of which he was the treasurer for forty
years. He was also one of the first members of the Agricultural
Society.
Philip Lane died aged 79
years of Gastritis Syncope on the 18th of December, 1912 at Kooringa.
Largely reproduced from
the Cyclopedia of South Australia |
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McCulloch,
A.
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Burra Record, 21 Oct. 1890
Obituary.
A. McCulloch Sen. died in
Glenelg last Wednesday at 80 and was buried on Saturday at Kooringa.
He was well respected in his early days in the district for his
charitable work.
He came to SA in the
Oriana in 1836 with Messrs J. Reed, Stephen King, Stubbs, and Henry
Dundas Murray. He bought 200 sheep from Murray to whom he acted as
shepherd, the two flocks being depastured together. He took a run on
the Gilbert where he bought land. Soon after he took up land from
James Logan at Gottlieb's Well (near Terowie) and later extended it to
Nackara. Here he was renowned for his hospitality with sometimes 20
visitors at a time.
In 1865 he took up
Princess Royal and lived there until about a year ago. Glenelg was
his summer residence and he spent all last year there.
In 1870 he bought Yongala
Station. Generally he was very retiring and his only public office
was as Member of the House of Assembly in 1861. His son-in-law is Mr
Justice Boucaut. He was very liberal to the Anglican Church and at
Christmastime to the poor. His failing health saw him succumb to a
second attack of asthma.
He leaves two sons,
Duncan & Aleck, and three daughters, Mrs J.P. Boucaut, Mrs Fielder
King and Miss McCulloch. One son, John, died about three years ago.
There are a number of grandchildren. |
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McLagan, G. R. |
Burra Record, 8 April 1891
Obituary.
Mr G.F. McLagan [Should
be G.R.] was the son of Dr McLagan of Perth, Scotland, but was born in
Jamaica where his grandfather was a wealthy planter and slave owner,
leaving at death an estate of £260,000. He was also related to Dr
McLagan, Bishop of Lichfield.
Trained as an architect,
Mr McLagan followed his profession in Melbourne, retiring with some
£8,000, but this was subsequently lost in sheep farming in Victoria on
the Murray River. Here he had an accident which crippled him for
life.
He came to Burra about 12
years ago. Rev. H. Howitt saw a photograph of a beautiful [church?]
he had designed at Warnambool and asked him to draw the plans for St
Mary's. When they were accepted he came to Burra to superintend the
building of the erection in 1879. He also planned and superintended
the building of the handsome home of Mr Hiles of Catarpoo. He was 71
and leaves a widow and one son. |
Melrose,
John
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Burra Record, 6 June 1928
His Excellency the
Governor General (Lord Stonehaven) received advice on Sunday last that
His Majesty had been pleased to confer several Commonwealth honours.
Amongst the names that appeared two closely connected with our
district, viz., Mr John Melrose of Ulooloo, and Captain George
Wilkins, who have been knighted. The latter’s first home was at Mt
Bryan East. Needless to say that the above news was received with the
greatest gratification throughout the district. Mr Melrose who is
thoroughly well known has proved himself one of the most unselfish,
large hearted and public spirited men throughout the district. He is
not only a district man but one of the leading pastoralist in the
State.
He was born at
Rosebank SA, on January 12th, 1860, and educated at Price Alfred
College and then spent a year gaining experience in a mercantile
office and from there went to Franklin Harbour and assisted in the
management of Wangaraleedini Station until 1883. Early in 1884 he went
to Ulooloo Station to manage for his father and on the death of his
father bought the estate from the trustees. Later he acquired with the
late Mr H Dutton, the North Booborowie estate together with the
flocks.
Sir John’s stock
are well known throughout Australia and he has been able to build up
his splendid stud only by personal supervision and his great interest
in his flocks has kept him at his Ulooloo property for the greater
part of his life. In July last year the Waite Institute “Rufus”
(“Register”) of Monday states, “He is one of those pastoralists who
like Barr Smith and Peter Waite, had had great faith in South
Australia, and having prospered as a result of that faith and
commendable enterprise, felt it a duty and a privilege to do something
worth while in return for his country. I have met those who have
worked for John Melrose and lived with him, and with one voice they
have acclaimed his honesty of purpose his kindly disposition and his
generous heart. When he lost that priceless possession, his eyesight,
he still continued to direct his enterprises and he showed such
supreme courage in rising superior to the great affliction that to his
friends and acquaintances he stood revealed an heroic figure. In this
way alone his life has been a a fine example to those who think the
whole world is against them when they are checked by some trifling
ailment or reverse.”
The above
magnificent gift of £10,000 was only one of Sir John’s many
benefactions. We have in Burra in the fine Maternity Wing a standing
monument to his, coupled with Mrs W P Barker’s and Mr Tennant’s names.
The first named gave £1600 each and Mr Tennant £750. Sir John has for
many years been associated with the Hallett District Council and in
all matters pertaining to the district. Sir John is also a member of
the Burra Hospital Board. When the building of the maternity Wing was
being discussed one day Sir John ordered the speakers to cut out the
flattery and said, “I made my money in the district and I want to do
something for it, something of lasting benefit, and there’s nothing
more precious in life than mother and child.” And that is the spirit
in which he has supported all district movements which have met with
his approval and there could be no finer. Neither great wealth nor
honours have cut him off from old associations and we feel sure that
in extending to him our congratulations and expressing our delight at
the recognition he has received from His Majesty the King we are but
expressing the sentiments of every resident in the district who will
with one voice cry “Long live Sir John Melrose.” |
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Nesbitt,
William Peel
(Mayor of Burra)
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Burra Record, 16 May 1894 Obituary
Dr William Peel
Nesbitt died at Salisbury on 12 May, aged 44. He was the son of Dr
Pearce R. Nesbitt and was born at Northampton on 3 June 1849. He was
educated at Bruce castle near London, Guy’s Hospital and Edinburgh
University, during which time the disease which has now claimed him
first appeared. He was a Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery.
He visited South Africa, America and New Zealand before coming to
Burra in 1875 and stayed here five years.
In his time here he
was a Warden of St Mary’s, President of the Institute, Member of the
School Board of Advice and Mayor for a year. With Dr Brummitt he
worked to establish the Burra Hospital and was one of its first two
medical officers. He left Burra in 1880 for a North Adelaide practice
and was given an address and silver plate in appreciation when he
left. He was an Honorary Medical Officer at the Children’s Hospital
and for a time a Resident Medical Officer there. He later became
Medical Officer for Yatala Labour Prison, but had to retire due to
illness 6-8 months ago. For the last 18-19 years he lived with his
sister, Miss Nesbitt.
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PINCH,
Henry
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Henry PINCH was
born 1828 in St Mabyn, Cornwall,
son of William Pinch
and Mary Pearse Johns.
He died 7 Apr 1916. He was buried in
Burra. S.A. At the age of 20 Henry sailed to South Australia on the
"Duke of Bedford" which arrived at Pt Adelaide on Dec 18th 1848.
He
met Francis Hicks on board
and they married in the C.of E. Limehouse Hill Kooringa in 1849. Francis
was born at Mevagissey Cornwall.
Their first home was a dugout whilst he built
a house at Lot 104 Illogen St., Redruth. Their daughter Mary was born
there in 1852 (first girl to be born in Redruth).
He
did some farm work near Adelaide, but that same year went to the Burra
Mines. He is credited with bringing in the first team of horses to the
district for the Patent Copper Company, however it appears he drove
the first team of horses for the P.C.C. on the Gulf road later called
Great Western Road. This road was used to cart ore from the mines
through Clare to Port Wakefield. This was in 1950.
Prior to being a
teamster, Henry Pinch worked as a blacksmith on the construction of a
bridge which later became known as Dunn's Bridge and just south of the
crossing the town of Balaclava was established.
In 1851 he
sold his home and went to the Victorian goldfields
at Forrest Creekbut
did not stay long and returned to Burra. Their second daughter
Fanny was born at Burra in 1853...he worked on the mines as a tributer until 1869. Henry then
purchased “Pencarrow” now called “The Grove” and sold it in 1883 for 6,000
pounds. He moved to Lot 62 St. Dye St., Burra.
He then returned to the Burra Mines and worked for them for the
next 18 or 20 years. He then purchased "Pencarrow" and commenced
grazing and farming.
Henry repurchased “Pencarrow” in 1897 for
4,077 pounds and 10 shillings and deeded the property to his daughter
Fanny who was by then married to Edwin Nicholas FINCH. The property
remained in the Finch family nearly 75 years. Mary, his other daughter
married Josiah Thomas and
they lived at “Three Trees’, the adjacent property.
He was Chairman of
the District Council 1879 to 1881 and was also a member of the Town
Council. He was a member of the Oddfellows Society.
His obituary states
that he and Frances lived in the historical dugouts in the bank of the
creek until he built a brick house in Redruth. In his spare time he
put the roof on and, traction being very expensive, he carried every
bit of timber for it from Kooringa on his back. He sold his creek
residence for 3 pounds and shortly afterwards all the huts were washed
out and it was then that Paxton Square was built.
Henry's home was
the first built in Redruth. He subsequently purchased a farm of 701
Acres and held it for 18 years selling it to J Cockrum, afterwards
repurchasing it and handing it to his son in law. He retired to
Redruth.
Henry was also very
involved with public life. He was a Burra District Councillor for 3
years, occupying the chair for a portion of that time, 2 years a
Corporation Councillor,
on the Committee of the Show Society, the
Redruth Church
and for some time a
member of the Hospital Board.
For 65 years he was
a member of the M.U.I.O.O.F in Burra
and twice a Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge.
He was
one of the oldest Freemasons in Burra being W.M in 1885. On the
occasion of his Diamond wedding in 1909 he was tendered a social in
the Masonic Hall and presented with an Address, the G.S and G.I being
present; Wor. Bro. Fuss making presentation.
Henry died in 1916 at 87
years, a lengthy cortège testifies to the respect in which the old
pioneer was held. The Rev Boyd read the funeral service whilst Messrs J.C.Pearce & Son had charge of the arrangements. Henry is mentioned in
Ian Auhl's book "The Monster Mine" Residence-Aberdeen Burra.
Reference:
Margaret Gleeson |
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REED,
Richard
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Burra Record, 21 Feb. 1917 Burra Identities
Mr Reed was 80 on
22 January and is the person longest resident in the town*. He was
born in Cornwall in 1837 and came to Adelaide aged 10 with his
parents. They settled first at Kapunda where Mr Reed's father was a
miner. 12 months later they moved on to Burra. Richard was engaged
here in whim driving and other tasks and after a few years turned to
plastering.
When gold was
discovered in Victoria he made three trips to the gold fields in
1853-54. He then returned to Burra and purchased a team of bullocks
and engaged in wood carting and carting other requirements of the
mine. The men working on top were on tribute, but underground workers
had wages. The hours underground were 7 to 3.
Aborigines were
common in those days and corroborees were a common sight. There were
magnificent gum trees on either side of the Burra Creek. Eventually Mr
Reed turned to sheep farming and took up the property of 'Wandillah'.
Money then could only be got at 10% and wool prices were low.
The droughts of
1863 and 1865 were disastrous and he lost practically everything. Mr
Reed retired to Aberdeen about 14 years ago. In 1859 he married Miss
Ann Henwood, daughter of Mr John Henwood of Burra and has three sons
and three daughters: Richard Reed (Aberdeen), John Reed (Mongolata),
James Reed ('Wandillah'), Mrs George Sara, Mrs C.H. Bartholomaeus
(Aberdeen) and Miss Reed who lives with her father. Mrs Reed died
about four years ago. He has never taken an active part in public
life. He celebrated his 80th birthday by 'doing' the Murray trip with
Miss Reed.
* While this may
have been true, statements of this sort are not to be relied upon.
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Tiver, James
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Burra Record VX, 844, 17
Mar. 1909, Page 3
Obituary. James Tiver
died at Aberdeen on Friday, aged 80. He arrived in Sa in April 1855
from Bristol in the David Malcolm and came to Burra as contractor to
the Smelting Works. He erected the first buildings in the town of any
note as well as bridges and the making of roads. He constructed the
black bridge over the creek in Aberdeen.*
He took over the Aberdeen
Railway Stores and ran them for over 40 years. He also bought land
between Hallett and Yarcowie and secured Tiverton and Banbury.
He was an earnest
Christian who occupied many of the offices of the Redruth Methodist
Church and was for over 50 years the Superintendent of the Sunday
school, relinquishing it two years ago.
He represented the
Redruth Circuit at Conferences. He was also a JP, a Member of Loyal
Aberdeen Lodge of Oddfellows. A cortege of 70-80 vehicles followed
the coffin to the cemetery in one of the longest funeral seen in Burra
for some time.
He reached Burra in a
bullock dray and once went to Wallaroo to erect a mine building when
water cost £1 for 33 gallons. Mrs Tiver was an invaluable helpmate.
Once on going to join her husband at Wallaroo they had to erect a
cottage for her and the children in one day. He leaves five
daughters: Mrs Gray (Glenelg), Mrs E.F. Opie & Mrs A. Sara (Broken
Hill), Mrs J.G. Sara (Aberdeen Railway Stores) & Mrs Stock
(Campbelltown) and 43 grandchildren & 8 great-grandchildren.
[* Actually this is
incorrect: the contract for the Redruth bridge went to Duncan Grant
and he is mentioned in the paper throughout the construction of the
bridge in 1879 and at its opening. See Burra Record II. 77. 19
December 1879, page 2.] |
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Treloar,
Frank
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Burra Record September
19, 1934 Obituary
The announcement of the
death of our late grand old townsman, Mr Frank Treloar, came as a
shock to his friends in Burra and district. Although he was seriously
ill the latest news received prior to Monday showed an improvement but
he suffered a relapse on Saturday last and died on Sunday evening at
his residence, Phillip Street, West Croydon.
The deceased gentleman
belonged to the mid north of S.A. He was born at North Adelaide on
June 1s, 1852, and was the eldest son of one of the
pioneers of S.A., his parents having arrived in South Aust. in the
early forties.
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