Edgar Smith Wigg
Edgar Smith Wigg | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | September 14, 1899 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, stationer, businessman |
| Known for | Founder of E. S. Wigg & Son |
Edgar Smith Wigg (7 June 1818 – 14 September 1899) was a prominent bookseller and stationer in South Australia, recognized as the founder of the Adelaide-based company E. S. Wigg & Son, which continues to operate with multiple locations throughout Australia.
Early life
Born to Richard Wigg from Tunstall, Suffolk, Edgar initially worked as a bank clerk, where he initiated a book club for his coworkers. He subsequently established a bookstore in Warwickshire. In September 1846, he wed Fanny Neale Morewood from Atherstone, Warwickshire. Their firstborn, Edward Neale Wigg, arrived in 1847. The family relocated to the South Australian colony in early 1849, reaching Port Adelaide by May.
E. S. Wigg & Son
In June 1849, Wigg leased a retail space at 4 Rundle Street and began trading books alongside homeopathic remedies. Over time, he diversified into producing account books and educational supplies.
By August 1857, the enterprise shifted to more spacious premises at 12 (later renumbered 14) Rundle Street. During the late 1860s or early 1870s, through acquiring Charles Platt’s bookselling establishment, Wigg became the colony’s foremost bookseller while broadening his printing and manufacturing ventures. Additionally, he launched a pharmacy on King William Street.
In 1871, Edward married Janet Davidson, and William Laidlaw Davidson joined the firm after moving to Adelaide. Approximately in 1874, the company inaugurated an office in London and added a warehouse located at Apollo Place.
By 1885, with William Davidson overseeing operations and married to Wigg’s daughter Mary, the business expanded into Western Australia. Following Edgar Wigg’s passing in 1899, development persisted with the construction of a factory on Port Road at Southwark (now Thebarton) in 1902, which remained standing as of 2016.
After Wigg's death
The company continued its growth trajectory by relocating its headquarters to 65 Grenfell Street in 1921, where retail activities persisted well into the 21st century. This location was designated as a heritage site on 1 November 2001 and is currently known as Wiggs Building. Ownership remained with the Davidson family at least until 2014, and the business is still registered under ES Wigg & Son Pty Ltd. The parent company manages several enterprises nationwide under various titles including Wigg & Son and Wigg Packaging.
Other activities
Wigg held a position on the Adelaide City Council during two terms: 1871–74 and again from 1876–80 before stepping down and transferring leadership responsibilities to his eldest son E. Neale Wigg and son-in-law W. L. Davidson.
He was actively engaged with the North Adelaide Baptist Church as well as supporting the Institution for the Blind.
Edgar Smith Wigg passed away in 1899 at the age of 81.
Siblings of E. S. Wigg
Two brothers and a widowed sister of Edgar Smith Wigg migrated to Australia during the mid-19th century; notably, their sister arrived aboard the maiden voyage of the clipper Torrens in 1876.
- R(ichard) Horace Wigg (circa 1822 – 1888) emigrated in 1853 accompanied by his wife Elizabeth and their son; he founded a wholesale grocery along with a wine and spirits outlet on King William Street, which became "R. H. Wigg & Sons" from 1876 onward.
Their offspring included:
- Frederick Horace Wigg (1853–1924), Justice of the Peace, married Julia Marianne Barber.
- J(ohn) Richard Wigg (1856–1921), wed Emily Margarette Frederica Barber.
- Robert Wolton Wigg (1859–1943), married Ada Clarice Cutten and resided in Victoria.
- Additional siblings were Margaret Amelia, Elizabeth Jane, Edward Turner, and Horace William Wigg.
The family resided at "Woltonhurst," Norwood.
- Wolton Wigg (1826–1915), who married Sarah Thurlow in 1866, pursued brewing in Rushworth, Victoria.
- Mary Spencer (née Wigg) (circa 1816–1882) was their sister.
Descendants of E. S. Wigg
From his marriage to Fanny Neale Wigg (née Morewood) (circa 1823 – 1 April 1853):
- Edward Neale Wigg (1847 – 12 December 1927), who was a bookseller and served as chairman of the BHP board from 1890 to 1913, married Janet N. Davidson in 1871.
- Frank Morewood Wigg M.B., Ch.M. (Edinburgh) (circa 1873 – 1901), passed away due to pneumonia in Edinburgh at the age of 28.
- Jessie Ann (1852–1853)
Following Fanny's death, he wed Alice Lane (circa 1819 – 1855) from Boscombe, Devon, in November 1853; this union did not produce any offspring.
In November 1855, he entered into marriage with Jane Eccles (died 1895). Together, they had six children—two sons and four daughters:
- Alfred Edgar Wigg (1857–1914), a distinguished medical professional who married Edith Caroline Parnham in 1884.
- (Winifred) Olive Wigg (1885–1964), who married John Stanley Murray in 1910
- Henry Higham Wigg (1858–1950), a medical doctor and Health Officer for the Unley Council; he wed Lillie Margaret Melrose, daughter of George Melrose, in 1891. He was a notable patron who supported artist Hans Heysen’s studies in Europe. Among their children was Ronald Melrose Wigg, who married artist Mary Millicent Wigg; she contributed illustrations to E.S. Wigg and his Successors.
- Mary Jane Wigg (born 1860), married William Laidlaw Davidson in 1885; notably, Davidson’s sister Janet had married Edward Neale Wigg.
- Ellen Deborah Wigg (1863–1954)
- Florence Fanny Wigg (1864–1940)
- Annie Adelaide Wigg (1867–1949), who married Frederick Allen Joyner in 1889; the couple resided for many years at Lefevre Terrace, Medindie, South Australia, on land acquired in 1851 where a cottage had been constructed.
Bibliography
The family history is detailed in the 1992 publication E.S. Wigg and his successors, which includes 24 plates, many presented in color. Several artworks featured are by Mary Millicent Wigg (1904–2001), who married Ronald Melrose Wigg in 1931.