Arthur Short (politician)
Arthur Short | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Salisbury, South Australia |
| Died | October 25, 1933 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, politician |
| Years active | 1880–early 1900s |
| Known for | Auctioneering and political service in South Australia and Western Australia |
Arthur Short (18 June 1850 – 25 October 1933) was a notable auctioneer and political figure in South Australia.
Originating from Salisbury, South Australia, Arthur was born to Edwin and Ann Short, whose family background combined maritime and farming traditions. Edwin, the son of Captain William Short of the Honourable East India Company, initially captained trading ships before settling down in South Australia. The family developed agricultural holdings near Yankalilla and Salisbury, later expanding their assets by acquiring 1000 acres close to Maitland as well as the Cocoanut Station at Kulpara, which Arthur took charge of during his youth.
Arthur received his education at a Grammar School and took over the oversight of the family estates as his father’s mental health deteriorated. By 1880, he had obtained his auctioneer’s license.
His public service began at the local level where he served as Maitland’s inaugural district clerk before becoming town clerk. He held the mayoralty for six years. In 1893, Arthur was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly representing the Yorke Peninsula, succeeding Henry Lamshed and working alongside Harry Bartlett until 1896. After losing a re-election attempt to William Copley, he relocated to Western Australia.
In Perth, Arthur established auctioneering enterprises on Murray and Hay Streets. He campaigned unsuccessfully for seats in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for West Perth in 1900 and East Perth in 1901. Following bankruptcy declared in 1904, he returned to South Australia by 1906.
By 1908, Arthur resumed his auctioneering profession in Adelaide with Phillips & Co., located on Franklin Street. He resided at 157 Fisher Street in Malvern, South Australia, where he eventually passed away.
Family
William Short H.E.I.C.S. ( – before October 1873)
- Edwin Short ( – ) wedded Ann Kerwin ( – ) in Sydney during October 1842. Both had died by 1926. Their offspring included:
- Edwin Short jnr (circa 1844 – )
- William Short (21 October 1846 – ) who married Mary Frost (circa May 1846 – 23 April 1917) in 1865. Born in Brighton, South Australia, he farmed at "Courtwick", Salisbury for two years before pioneering farming efforts at Winulta from around 1876.
- Albert Short (10 April 1848 – ) united with Emma Kentish (12 May 1854 – ) on 13 January 1875
- Arthur Short (18 June 1850 – 25 October 1933) married Julia Nugent Blackham (10 October 1856 – 13 August 1949) on 9 June 1881; they lived at Glenelg as of 1925
- Ida Frances Julia Short (6 January 1883 – 1968)
- Lillie Estelle/Estella Kerwin/Kirwan Short (14 March 1885 – 1966)
- Arthur Ernest William Short (24 October 1888 – 19 July 1949), known as Ernest or A.E.W. Short, married Viola Warren on 28 October 1914. He was managing director of Woolcott, Short & Co., paper merchants, and was elected Lord Mayor of Adelaide in 1949 but died shortly thereafter.
- Florence Adair "Florrie" Short (1890–1981) married Augustus Montay/Moutray "Gus" Crane ( –1971) on 18 December 1924
- Ellen Short (circa 1853 – ) married Charles Albert Abbott on 5 September 1898
- Alfred Short (after 1855 – )
- Emily Short (circa August 1860 – 4 October 1873) died following a horse-riding accident