Ernest Harry
EDMONDS
Mabel Jane
HAINES
====================
These are the
parents of John Hinton Edmonds (2) who married Ella Coraline Osborn at Wudinna
SA in 1934
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ernest Harry
EDMONDS – early life
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Refer also in
Life Story - “The One Handed Lad From The Channel Country”)
(Refer also in
Photo Gallery – “Edmonds Family Pygery”)
28/8/1883 –
Harry born on Comongin Stn in SW Qld the fifth and last child and only son of
John Hinton Edmonds the station manager and his wife Mary (nee Puplett). Harry
had 3 elder sisters still living, Flo aged 10, Mary 5, Gertie 2. [xx]
20/7/1884 -
Harry bapt at Virginia SA (where Mary's parents lived) at the Anglican church
of St Augustines ("born Aug 28 1883, abode Virginia, father's profession
Station Manager") [h]
1887 – Harry’s
family were living on Minburra Stn in the north of SA [xx]
2/1/1889 –
Harry’s dad died of pneumonia at their home in Murray St Nth Adelaide [xx]
1890s – He went
to school in Pulteney St Primary in the city, and was nicknamed
"Skeet" (“Skeeter” - mosquito) due to his slight build [xx]
4/5/1899 –
Harry’s mum died at their home in Young St Unley [xx]
1899 - Around
this time Harry was working in Adelaide for Scrymgours the printers in King Wm
St [xx]
5/9/1901 –
Harry’s sister Florence Kate Edmonds (26) married Henry Ernest Dawson (father
Henry) at St Oswalds Parkside (dist Ad) [k]
1902 - Aged abt
16-17 Harry left home to make his own way and went to Mitchellville (in the
Cowell area) on the Eyre Peninsula of SA, primarily working with horses. He was
variously a jockey, a runner, footballer, umpire, and trainer-manager for a
couple of local athletes, did wheat tallying, droving, shearing, and drove the
mail coach for a while [xx]
“While on the station of Bowman Bros
Minburra he met young lad Ernest Harry Edmonds. Young Edmonds was orphaned
early by the loss of his father, soon followed by his mother, and finding
himself in a printing establishment with a salary less than he could live on, rather
than burden his sisters he went to Bowman Bros ... his pioneer grandfather
before him thought nothing of walking 20 miles to Adelaide to win his bride ...
Harry came across to Mitchellville in 1902 ... wheat tallying, droving,
shearing...” [d]
29/8/1902 –
(Quorn Mercury) “On Saturday a cricket match was played between the Cowell
first eleven and the Wilton Scrubbers and resulted in a win for the local club
by 35 runs. The game was a very enjoyable one, and, although only a one innings
match, the play lasted the whole of the afternoon, and good cricket was
witnessed on both sides. H. Edmonds was top-scorer (on 34) for the Scrubbers.”
[t]
(Wilton is an area east of Cowell)
29/4/1903 –
Harry’s sister Gertrude Hinton Edmonds (23) mar Frederick William Pyle (25,
father Thomas John) at St Oswalds Parkside (dist Ad) [k]
“The Pyles lived at 93 Frederick St Unley
from 1905 to 1949 at least, and they only had one son Frederick John (dob
6/12/1910), the daughter dying at age 14. Fred Jnr enlisted in WW2 from the
"Moorook West Camp" (in Riverland?). After the war Fred Snr and Jnr
had a painting business together as Pyle & Son of Unley. Fred Snr had
siblings (living in 1949) Arthur, Melinda, Dorothy (Ewer), Ernest George, and
Alice Maude (Cook).” [p]
20/7/1906 –
(Farmers Journal) Harry (amongst others) did a song at the Cowell evening
post-Races social in the Cowell Inst Hall [t]
1908/1909 -
Haines Bros listed at Mitchelville, Franklin Hbr [g]
1908 – Harry met
Mabel Jane Haines at Mitchellville [xx]
2/1/1909 –
(Observer) “As a means of transport and land clearing bullock teams are much in
favour, and eminently suitable for this country by virtue of their hardiness
and the limited cost of maintenance. The following gentlemen represent various
firms... E H Edmonds for W. R. Cave & Co”
[t]
(In 1873 William Rendell Cave (1842-1916)
founded W. R. Cave & Co., with offices at Port Adelaide and Grenfell
Street, Adelaide. The business steadily expanded especially in the grain trade,
with agencies throughout South Australia and branches in the other States -
Wiki)
4/9/1909 –
(Chronicle) At the picnic race meeting at Cowell, Harry won Midwinter Hcp,
Hurdles race, and Shorts Hcp on own horse “Flashlight” [t]
(Harry was Sect of Cowell Racing Club in
this period, resgnd Jan 1911, but stayed active in other capacities)
1/1/1910 –
(Observer) Harry did well in the small bore rifle competitions, representing
the Cowell Club [t]
(There are more on these meets during the
year)
8/1/1910 –
(Advertiser) At Cowell annual athletic sports meet Harry won heats in running
and hurdles [t]
(There’s quite a few of these in this
period)
13/4/1910 –
(Advertiser) “FRANKLIN HARBOR, April 8 Mr. E. H. Edmonds, who, with Mr. F.
Simmons, has taken over the Adelaide Steamship Company's agency, left for
Adelaide on Wednesday to get married. He will return next Thursday.” [t]
Mabel Jane
HAINES – early life
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Refer also in
Chrons SA - “George Haines & Johanna Miriam Bawden”)
6/2/1884 – Mabel
Jane Haines was born at Mundoora in the mid north of SA, the 10th child of
George Haines a farmer, and his wife Johanna. At that time Mabel had 6 elder
sisters aged 3 to 15, and 3 elder brothers aged 2 to 12 [xx]
14/4/1886 –
Mabel’s younger sister Cecelia born [xx]
20/6/1887 –
Mabel’s younger sister Feodore born [xx]
20/4/1890 –
Mabel’s mum died in a buggy accident when Mabel was aged 6 [xx]
10/9/1894 –
Mabel Gained the SA Education Dept Compulsory Certif at Mundoora Prim Sch aged
10 1/2 [xx]
c 1900 – Mabel
moved to Mitchellville on Eyre Peninsula, presumably to housekeep for her
brothers, who were established their in business.
15/9/1906 -
Mabel Jane Haines of Cowell registered her signature for a bank passbook
account (changed it to M J Edmonds 19/4/1910) [m]
1908 – Mabel met
Harry Edmonds at Mitchelville near Cowell where she had brothers operating as
Haines Bros (one was William) [xx]
-----------------
MARRIED -----------------
13/4/1910 -
Ernest Harry Edmonds (26, "Agent", of Franklin Hbr, born `Comongong'
Qld, father John Hinton Edmonds [dec] ) married Mabel Jane Haines (26, Home
Duties, of Mill St Adelaide, born Mundoora SA, father George Haines) at St
Pauls Anglican church in Adelaide. Witns Fred Pyle (Harry’s brother-in-law) and
E A Haines (prob Mabel’s elder sister Emily Ada) of 10 Mill St Adelaide [j]
19/4/1910 –
(Advertiser) MARRIAGES – “EDMONDS-HAINES.-On the 13th April, at St Paul's
Church, Adelaide, by the Rev. E. H. Bleby, Ernest Harry, only son of the late
John Hinton and Mary Louisa Edmonds, to Mabel Jane, seventh daughter of Geo.
Haines, Esq, No.10, Mill-street, Adelaide, late of Mundoora. Present address,
Cowell, Franklin Harbor.” [t]
1910 – Harry
went sharefarming with W.F. (Bill) Franklin for about 4 yrs after his marriage
[xx]
1/7/1910 –
(Advertiser) – “A concert in aid of the Anglican Church building fund was held
in the Cowell Institute on Monday night. The Rev. H. Inger presided, and the
following contributed:- Violin selection, Mr. J. H. Mitchell; songs. Miss
Mitchell, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Edmonds, and Mr. Sweeney; recitations, Mr. G. Rowe
and Mr. Sweeney. The farce “Furnished Apartments" was given by Messrs. H.
Edmonds, R. Mitchell, C. Flecker, G. Rowe, and J. Beckwith.” [t]
20/8/1910 –
(Advertiser) Harry won the Mens Hat-trimming Competition at the Rainbow Fair in
the Cowell Inst (for Methodist Church) [t]
27/8/1910 –
(Advertiser) Harry won one of the horse races at the Cowell Picnic Meeting, on
“Mirage” [t]
9/2/1911 – Their
son John Hinton was born at Cowell [xx]
17/3/1911 – (Express)
BIRTHS “EDMONDS.—On the 9th February, at Cowell, to Mr. and Mrs. E, H. Edmonds
a son.” [t]
11/8/1911 – (EP
Tribune) Harry sang “Just Across The Ridge Of Gold” (among many other
contributors) at the tea after the Salt Creek Hall opening. [t]
3/3/1912 – Their
son Ralph Haines was born at Cowell [xx]
23/8/1912 – (EP
Tribune) Harry playing footy for Mitchellville [t]
1913 – Harry
scouted out new agricultural land then opening up in the central Eyre Pen area
[xx]
1914 – “Mr
Edmonds, himself a pioneer of the Pygery district had come from Cowell to 'look
the prospects over' when land was opened for allotment in 1914. With AF
Franklin, WF Whyte, and Mort Haines, the party arrived in a Model T Ford,
having travelled by mostly bush tracks and very sandy conditions ... only
serious mishap being that they hit a snag and bent the front axle. The axle was
removed and a fire made to heat the axle which was then straightened with
hammers and axes.” [a]
“Harry went to the north (Minburra area?)
as a young bloke, came back down to Carrieton pub with Paddy the Irishman,
Paddy spent night trying to talk EH to go to Broken Hill mining, but EH set to
go west to the Cleve Cowell area. He was a driver for the survey team looking
over the new CEP area c1913?, decided to take up a block. Got deeds Feb 1915,
ap 1200 acres, got Wonga in mid 30s.”
[n]
5/2/1915 -
Allotted new farm land (Sect 49) in the Hnd of Pygery. All blocks were 1200
acres with a "shed", being no more than a roofed water catchment with
tanks [xx]
5/2/1915 - Harry
“...was allotted Sect 49 Hundred of Pygery where he farmed for many years,
being deeply involved with the sporting and community activities of the
district ... served on the District Council, was a JP, and Chairman of EP Local
Government Association ... (more p168)” [a]
abt mid 1915 -
(from EP Tribune 23/8/1918, an article “From Cowell To Minnipa Hill”) - “As we
climb the hills I recall my last trip, some four years ago, On that occasion it
was in a spring dray and tandem team, and the weather was uncomfortably warm.
Messrs E. H. Edmonds and W. F. Whyte were my companions on that trip, and both
gentlemen afterwards selected land in that district. The former in the Hd of
Pygery and the latter in Wudinna. Mr Edmonds has sown his second crop...” [t]
1916 – their
first home was built by walling in sides of part of the "shed" to
make two rooms, using native pine uprights and clay/chaff mud fill-in, lime
whitewashed [xx]
12/4/1916 –
Their son Ray Franklin was born at Cowell (or Wudinna?) [xx]
19/12/1918 –
Their daughter (and last child) Gwenyth Cecelia was born at Wudinna [xx]
1920 - Harry
became a founding member of the Wudinna and LeHunte AH&F Soc. (Later made a
life member of the SA Ag Bureau) [b]
1922 – “At the
1922 Wud & Le Hunte Show horse jumping event, after 'Trixie' cleared the
bar at 5'8" and only other two not eliminated - 'Scaler' and 'Joker' -
refused the jump and owners decided to split the 10/- prize ... "Mr EH
Edmonds, ex jockey, farmer, and later politician, stepped forward and volunteered
to ride both horses .. snapped up by the owners ... bar reset at 5'8" ...
about to witness what I still consider the greatest combination of jumping, and
horsemanship ever staged on the Wudinna Showgrounds.
'Scaler' ... after three refusals ... had
the question put to him so forcefully ... cleared the bar with inches to spare
... 'Joker' ... from the moment the rider was in the saddle he was transformed
from a don't-care type to 17 hands of enthusiastic horseflesh ... by the time
the 6 feet mark was reached the crowd realised the man in the saddle was no
ordinary rider but truly a master of the art ... reached their limits at the
height of 6'1" ...” [b]
12/2/1922 –
Harry became a member of the Pygery Ag Bureau [a]
1925 – They
bought their first car, a T model Ford [a]
1927 – They
built the current homestead "Yardookra" [xx]
“EHE didn't own horse 'Gayway' ... trained
and rode the horse at some of the local picnic meets in early 1920s ...
Original homestead called “Yardookra” as near as Dad could get to spelling
Whipstick Billy’s (member of the Ku-Ku-Tha tribe who used to roam between the
Gawler Ranges & the coast) name for 'grassy plain' ... “Wonga” is the block
at the back which dad bought in late 1940s ... played a lot of football &
did a bit of running as a young fellow ... later on football umpiring
locally...” [f]
1927 – Harry
elected to the Le Hunte Council and he represented the Pygery Ward for the next
17 years. [a]
23/9/1927 –
Harry’s sister Gertrude Hinton [Pyle] died at 93 Frederick St Unley aged 49
[t]
20/4/1928 –
(West Coast Sentinal) Harry won the “Old Duffers Race” at the Pygery Athletic
Sports Club annual meeting on Easter Monday, [t]
1930s – Harry
had a home made set of drums that he played at the local dances [xx]
1931 – He was
elected Chairman of the Le Hunte Council [a]
1934 – harry
elected Chairman of the EP Local Govt Assn [a]
1938 – Harry
became a member of the Minnipa Masonic Lodge [xx]
1943 – Harry was
elected to the Legislative Council as the LCL member for the Horthern Disricts
(Eyre?) [a]
1944 – Harry
resigned from the LeHunte Council. He had been 17 years on the Council, 11 as
chairman, also chair of the CEP Hosp Board. Went to live in Wudinna and left
Ray to run the farm. Went into State Parliament as the MLC for Eyre (served
until 4 months before his death in 1962) [xx]
-----------
DEATH OF SPOUSE ----------
12/9/1946 –
Mabel died of "Debility, Carcinoma of left ovary with metastases
intraperitoneal", aged 63, at Wudinna, informant EHE, farmer of Wudinna.
[c]
12/9/1946 - Wife
Mabel died of cancer at the homestead and was buried in the Wudinna cemetery
[xx]
Somewhere there’s a note that she died at
her home at 25 Ballantyne St Wudinna, which today looks like a fairly
modern transportable, right behind the Lutheran church, so presume there was an
older house there in 1946 that they were living in, and not out on the farm.
The death certif only says Wudinna, and the death notices only say at home in
Wudinna, but “Late of Pygery”.
1947 – Harry
left off farming in Pygery (farm being run by son Ray), boarded in Adelaide for
a while, bought house at Pt Noarlunga (the one that was dau Gwen’s abt
1955-1998, now in hands of Gwen’s dau Anne Whiteway) [xx]
1949 – Harry
sold the farm to Ray [xx]
----------------
RE-MARRIES ---------------
24/3/50 – (Ad News) Today the
Premier (Mr. Playford) and members of Parliament attended a presentation made
on their behalf to Mrs. Kearns by the speaker (Sir Robert Nicholls). Mrs.
Kearns is pictured above with Sir Robert Nlcholls. Mrs. Kearns, a widow, lives
at Wayville. Mr. Edmonds. a widower, formerly lived at Wudinna (Eyre's
Peninsula) but since becoming a member of the Legislative Council, has lived at
Rose Park.
The couple will live at
Brooklyn Park. Mrs. Kearns said their friendship "had not entirely originated"
at Parliament House, as they had known each other through a friendshio between
their families. Relatives of her father lived in the same part of Eyre's
Peninsula as Mr. Edmonds had lived.
The bridegroom was shy about
today's presentation. "He told me I'd have to go in and face the music on
my own." Mrs. Kearns said. [t]
(Photo of Nell and Sir Robert)
28/3/1950 –
(Several papers – MARRIAGES) EDMONDS—KEARNS — On March 28, at St. Laurence's,
North Adelaide, by Rev. Father O'Hannan, E. Harry Edmonds, to Eilen (Nell)
Kearns. Present address, 12 Allen avenue, Brooklyn Park [t]
29/3/50 – (Advertiser) Mr. Edmonds, MLC, was married yesterday to Mrs.
Ellen Kearns, at St. Lawrence's Church. North Adelaide. The bridegroom's eldest
son, Mr. John Edmonds, was best man and the bridesmaid was Miss Patricia
Kearns, of Wayville. Mrs. Edmonds had been a member of the catering staff at
Parliament House for 12 years. [t]
1955 – EDMONDS,
Hon Ernest Harry - MLC for Nth dist SA since 1944, memb SA Parl Land Settlement
Com since 1944, born (etc), educ Pulteney St School & State School, pioneer
settler CEP 1915, held all LG offices inc Chair of LH Council & CEP Hops
Bd, life memb SA Agric Bur, retired farmer & graz mar 10/2/10 Mabel J dau
George Haines, 3 sons 1 dau, recreations motoring, bowls, gardening, 12 Allen
Ave Br Pk. [e]
8/10/1955 –
Harry opened the new extensions to the Wudinna Hospital [a]
21/11/1959 -
Opened the new Wudinna Hall (photo p194)
[a]
1960 - In his
latter years Harry’s recreations were motoring, bowls, and gardening [xx]
18/4/1962 - Aged
78, Harry died of a heart attack at his home in Brooklyn Pk (12 Allen Ave) and
was buried at Centennial Pk with full State honours [xx]
==========================
SOURCES...
[a] "Grain Amid The Granite" by Heath
& Franklin
[b] 50th Anniv program of Wud & LeHunte AHF
Soc
[c] Death certificate
[d] "Song Of Wangaraleednie" by Frank
Masters
[e] Whos Who 1955
[f] Jack Edmonds (son) letter "Feb 23"
[g] SA Directories
[h] Bapt certif
[j] Mar certif
[k] BMD Index - SAGHS
[m] Sav Bank of SA data - SAGHS
[n] TRE notes, oral, ex Ray and Dad
[p] TRE notes, oral, ex Roy Dawson
[t] Trove online
[xx] Material taken from –
Previous generation's data
EHE letter 24/3/1959
Roy Dawson (nephew) letters 1982-84
Ray Edmonds (son) recollections Sept
1984
Will & assoc papers (not yet
sorted)
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