Daniel Wilkie Melvin
Daniel Wilkie Melvin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1838 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 29 July 1916 |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, businessman, sub-editor |
| Years active | 1850s–1909 |
| Known for | Prominent auctioneer in Adelaide, South Australia; developer of Melvin Chambers |
Daniel Wilkie Melvin (1838 – 29 July 1916), widely recognized as D. W. Melvin, was a prominent auctioneer during the formative years of Adelaide, South Australia.
History
The son of Reverend David Melvin (who passed away prior to 1861), chaplain of Tolbooth Prison and a figure in the Edinburgh City Mission, Melvin received his education in Edinburgh before relocating to South Australia in 1852. He joined his mother and siblings, who had arrived earlier in 1850 aboard the barque Young England.
Melvin began his career with the Goode brothers’ drapery enterprise, subsequently partnering with his sister and her husband James Whiting in a comparable retail business located at Edinburgh House, 43 King William Street. He later managed a store and engaged in wheat purchasing operations in Oakbank.
In April 1864, he settled in Moonta, where he established a store and took on roles as postmaster and registrar for births, deaths, and marriages, while also participating actively in the local literary society.
Upon returning to Adelaide in May 1867, Melvin assumed the position of sub-editor at the South Australian Register. By June 1876, he secured an auctioneer’s licence and took over the Adelaide Central Auction Mart on King William Street from Emanuel Cohen & Co. He discontinued his auctioneering activities there by 1883 and eventually sold the lease in November 1909 to Megaw & Hogg—a company founded in Broken Hill in 1901 that expanded into Adelaide under Joseph Porter Megaw’s leadership. This enterprise remains operational today under the stewardship of the Quigley family.
In 1880, Melvin was responsible for developing Melvin Chambers on the site formerly occupied by the City Arms Hotel and Noltenius's store at the intersection of Waymouth and King William streets.
Other interests
By 1859, Melvin was engaged with the Young Men's Association, a non-denominational Christian literary group headed by Reverend C. W. Evan. After relocating to Oakbank, he endeavored to form a literary society there, though it is uncertain if this initiative succeeded. He served as vice-president in 1860 of the Oakbank Institute, which pursued similar cultural objectives.
A devoted member of his church community, Melvin joined Flinders Street Baptist Church shortly after its inception in 1861; notably, two of his sisters were among its original 25 members. His church involvement included serving as a lay preacher and assisting with founding a Baptist congregation in Moonta.
His civic engagement extended to participation in organizations such as the Caledonian Society of South Australia and the Australasian National League councils.
An enthusiastic chess player, Melvin was affiliated with the Adelaide Chess Club from 1873 until 1905 and maintained a close association with Henry Charlick; both men coincidentally passed away within days of each other.
A lifelong bibliophile until declining vision limited his reading, Melvin died at his home in Unley Park.
Family
Melvin entered into matrimony three times: first with Sarah Grace Lambell in 1861; then Caroline Adams (1849–1896) in 1879; and finally Mary Ann Eliza in 1905. His children included five sons and two daughters:
- Richard Lambell Melvin (1865–1944), born at Moonta
- Henry Edward "Harry" Melvin (1868–1942)
- Charles Melvin (1870–1952)
- Herbert Melvin (1872–1946) residing in Mypolonga
- Wilhelmina Carswell Melvin (1880–1920), daughter of Caroline
- Malcolm "Mick" Melvin (1882– ), cricketer who later lived in Dunedin, New Zealand
- Kate Muriel Melvin (1884–1942), unmarried
His siblings comprised:
- Isabella Melvin (1826–1915), who married James Whiting soon after arriving in South Australia. She was distinguished for her philanthropic efforts and temperance advocacy as a founding member and leader within the South Australian Women's Christian Temperance Union and was active at Flinders Street Baptist Church for nearly five decades. They had nine children, including J. B. Whiting, secretary to South Australia's Agent General in London.
- Margaret Melvin (circa 1823–1906), married John Beeby in 1852.
- Jessie Melvin (circa 1821–1908), spouse of George Duke, manager of the Government Printing Office; she was also a founding member of Flinders Street Baptist Church.
- William Melvin (circa 1836–1910), married Martha Ann Threadgold in 1864; later relocated to Western Australia and resided in Collie by 1908.
- The eldest brother David Melvin arrived separately in Australia; his whereabouts remained unknown for over half a century.