The late Mr. Davis was born at Campbelltown just over 76 years ago, but came to Shoalhaven with his parents, who settled at Coolangatta, on the property now owned by the Messrs. McGill Bros, at an early age. Farming in this district in those early days was not the lucrative occupation that it is to-day, with the result that after the family had subdued a large area of the forest and scrub, they found themselves with a fine crop of 100 tons of potatoes, but no market. Acting on their father's advice, the Davis boys struck out for other employment.
The deceased gentleman turned his face towards the Northern State of Queensland, spending some years on the Darling and Canning Downs squattages, until the effects of the climate on his constitution compelled him to return South. Although only a youth at that time he noticed the great potentialities of the Northern State generally and the Downs particularly, and would discourse interestingly on the time spent therein those far-off days. On his return the late Mr. Davis obtained a position with the late Mr. David Berry of Coolangatta, who soon recognised his steady character by placing him in charge of the work of over-landing and supervising the sale of horses on the Sydney market.
Later, Mr Berry offered him a farm at Numba; this he accepted just on 47 years ago, and, not discouraged by adversity, he stuck it, maize-growing, with a tenacity which one might hardly credit and certainly not expect in a person of his physique; early and late with night working the maize in the barn — no up-to-date labor-saving implements in those days — and worst of all, fickle markets, with maize at times as low as 1/ per bushel. However, about 30 years ago Mr. Davis had his reward for his grit and doggedness by the development of the dairying industry. Taking up dairying in lieu of maize growing he met with the most encouraging success. At the Berry Estate land sales in 1892, he purchased his homestead and a considerable area of adjoining lands, and built up a very choice dairy herd. Until about three years ago the deceased carried on a very successful dairying business when his son's indifferent health, and the difficulty in obtaining suitable labor, caused him to disperse his dairy herd and take up grazing pursuits— which he continued until stricken down a few weeks ago, when he leased his Numba property.
While attending closely to his own affairs, the late Mr. Davis found time to accede to a request to take up municipal life, becoming an alderman of the Numba— now South Shoalhaven — council just on 40 years ago, and at different periods filled the Mayoral chair, being regarded by his fellow aldermen and the ratepayers generally, as a man of ripe experience, and sound judgment in civic matters, especially in finance. In private life Mr. Davis was an exemplary citizen and a genial and like able man. He had his peculiarities as all men have, but the good that was in him so far outweighed the human weaknesses that these could be overlooked.
The deceased leaves a widow and five children, who gave him every care and attention during his illness. His dear ones have suffered a heavy loss in being bereft of a devoted husband and father, and our sympathy goes out to them in their sad bereavement. His children are: Mr. Fred Davis, who assisted to manage and work the properly, Mrs. Will. Morison (Pyree), Mrs. Arthur Battye (late of Berry), and now with the Expeditionary forces at Jerusalem ; Mrs. Verdon Pepper (Berry), and Mrs. Alex Smith (Taree). The funeral on Monday afternoon was largely attended, testifying to the respect in which the deceased was held. The pallbearers from the hearse to the grave were six members of the South Shoalhaven Council. The Rev. Mr. Chivers (Anglican) officiated at the grave.
From Trove: Nowra Leader, Friday 15 March 1918, page 4
No comments:
Post a Comment