James Pile
James Pile | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1799 Beverley, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 19 March 1885 |
| Occupation | Pastoralist |
| Known for | Extensive landholdings along the Darling River in New South Wales; founder of Cuthero and Netley stations |
James Pile (circa 1799 – 19 March 1885) was a prominent pastoralist in South Australia, known for his extensive landholdings along the Darling River in New South Wales. His legacy was carried on by his sons William, John, and Charles, collectively recognized as the Pile brothers.
History
Originating from Beverley, Yorkshire, James Pile emigrated from Scotland to South Australia aboard the ship Anna in November 1849, accompanied by his family and his brother George. They established their residence at "Beckwith," near Gawler. Up until 1852, he operated as the licensee of the Old Spot Hotel located in Gawler.
Pile accumulated considerable acreage across areas including Gawler East, Gawler South, Munno Para East, and Nuriootpa. He stocked these properties with horses and cattle that were driven overland from Sydney. Around 1850, he partnered with explorer John McKinlay, who subsequently advised him to acquire land along the Darling River. By approximately 1860, Pile secured roughly of river frontage in that region, founding Cuthero station (about ) and Netley station. He soon sold Netley to Joe Dunne. Additionally, he obtained Polia station during this period. These stations were initially stocked with horses and an estimated 1,200 cattle and later expanded under the stewardship of his sons.
James retired to "Oaklands" in Gawler East where he fulfilled roles as a Justice of the Peace, Town Councillor, and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Notably, McKinlay passed away at "Oaklands" in 1871.
By 1870, Pile’s sons transitioned their focus from cattle to sheep farming, ultimately increasing their flock to nearly 200,000 head before a severe drought between 1880 and 1886 drastically reduced numbers to about 12,000. The family continued managing these stations until leases were resumed in 1899; Ben Chaffey acquired them in 1909 before selling to Arthur Crozier.
- William
The second son, William Pile, was born in Glasgow and migrated with his family. During the Victorian gold rush, he undertook an overland drive of sheep to Ballarat, which he sold for a profit. William managed Polia station and held a position as a local magistrate.
A devoted horse racing enthusiast, William served on the inaugural committee of the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC). He owned several distinguished horses including The Assyrian—winner of both the 1880 Adelaide Cup and the 1881 Australian Cup—alongside Country Girl and First Water. Following legal conflicts involving trainer J. Eden Savill and other SAJC members including Pile himself, William withdrew his involvement from racing and disposed of his equine interests in 1881. Subsequently, Savill purchased The Assyrian, which went on to win the 1882 Melbourne Cup.
William also participated actively with the Adelaide Gun Club and maintained a hobby farm at Morphettville, featuring a notable dovecote housing some 700 birds—a conspicuous structure deliberately larger than that owned by rival W. B. Rounsevell.
- John
John Pile was born in Scotland and received his education in Gawler. As a youth, he undertook his first overland droving journey from Sydney to Adelaide alongside Dick Holland and later John McKinlay. Upon his father’s retirement, John assumed management of Cuthero station.
He later retired to "Netherby," Mitcham, where he became a respected racehorse owner affiliated with the Adelaide Racing Club. His horses competed successfully across multiple Australian states including Gawler and Hobart. Noteworthy horses under his ownership included Mahdi, Havelock, and Confidence—a steeplechaser who won the Australian Grand National. John sold all his racing stock in May 1897 before passing away at Glenelg.
- Charles
The youngest son Charles emigrated with the family and was educated under L. S. Burton. While employed at Cuthero station, he encountered a tragic incident involving five children who succumbed to exposure near the river.
Charles later returned to reside at "Oaklands," Gawler, where he died intestate; some accounts list South Terrace, Adelaide as his place of death. It is important not to confuse him with Charles Ogleby Pile, who served as Magistrate of Bulahdelah on the Myall River.
Family
James Pile (circa 1799 – 19 March 1885) was married to Isabella Pile (circa 1801 – 11 February 1874).
- Anne Pile (circa 1826 – 9 September 1901) wed David Power (circa 1814 – 18 April 1884) in 1851. Power owned Moorak Estate near Mount Gambier before selling it to W. J. Browne and later relocating to Toorak, Victoria. Power Street in Mount Gambier bears his name.
- Their son, David H. Power (1853 – 20 May 1924), married Lizzie Jane Moore (deceased 1896) in 1893, and subsequently Elsie Mary Kerr in 1900, who was the daughter of J. Langdon Parsons.
- Isabella Power became the wife of Francis Reid Murphy MLA.
- Mary Anne Power (1857 – 1931) was married to Sir John Grice.
- William Power (born 1858).
- Frank Power (born circa 1865), originally from Scotland.
- Isabella Pile (circa 1832 – 6 October 1864) was married to Thomas William "Tom" Glen (died 1875), who served as a bookkeeper at Cuthero.
- James Pile (circa 1833 – 26 September 1864) tragically drowned near Cuthero station.
- Jane Pile (died 1914) married the explorer John McKinlay; the couple had no children.
- William Pile (circa 1840 – 1916) was married to Mary McLean, daughter of William McLean, founder of Polia Station.
- Isabel Pile (1875–1924), born in St Kilda, Victoria.
- James Francis Pile (1876–1895), who died in a hunting accident.
- May Adelaide Pile (1877–1945), married John Tennant Love, Master of Foxhounds of the Adelaide Hunt Club.
- William Pile (1880–1971), veteran of the WWI Camel Corps.
- Charles Leslie Pile (1881–1953), married Josephine Connolly Cairns.
- Kathleen Esmé Pile (born 1883), married Daniel Cashiel Cudmore; their marriage ended in divorce in 1930.
- Olive Blanche Pile (1884–1893).
- (Archibald) Allan Pile (1889–1942), married Olive Elsie Hittmann.
- John Pile (circa 1842 – 1924) wed Emilie Mary Moore from Kangaroo Flat.
- Maud Hamilton Pile (1882–1967), married Alan Edmund Bowman, a pastoralist and racehorse proprietor.
- Their son Alan Peter Pile (1916–1944) served as an RAAF officer and was killed during WWII.
- John Hamilton Pile (1883–1962), operated hotels and stores; married Dorrit Louise Yorke Sparks.
- Their son John Hamilton Pile (1915–1978) was also an RAAF veteran during WWII.
- Doris Emilie Hamilton Pile (1889–1899) passed away from typhoid fever.
- Jean Hamilton Pile (born 1891) resided in Glenelg.
- Charles Pile (circa 1844 – 1891) remained unmarried.
- Jessie Pile (circa 1846 – 1931) lived in Gawler and died intestate, leaving behind an estate valued at £100,000.
George Pile (circa 1811 – 1861), brother to James, passed away at his residence.
Potential Relatives
Several individuals with the surname Pile, associated with hotel management and horse racing but without confirmed familial links, include:
Martha Pile (died 1874), daughter of John Pile who managed the Bucks Head Hotel, was married first to Charles Smith Hannington (died 1855), then Alfred Snelling in 1855, and later to Thomas Jellett (1822–1876) in 1868. After disputes with Jellett, she was placed in the Destitute Asylum.
Edward Pile (died 1906), husband of Mary Ann Dugan (later McCoy, died 1910), were licensees of the Somerset Hotel. Their children included:
- Lance Pile (circa 1879–1903), a jockey who succumbed to injuries following a racehorse collapse.
- Alfred Edward Pile (1884–1937), also a jockey employed by Seth Ferry, who unsuccessfully pursued legal action against him.