John Haimes
John Haimes | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1826 Australia (likely Sydney) |
| Died | 26 May 1890 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, pastoralist, racehorse breeder |
| Years active | 1847–1890 |
| Known for | Mail coach operations, hospitality, brewing, pastoralism, racehorse breeding in South Australia and Victoria |
John Haimes (circa 1826 – 26 May 1890) was an early entrepreneur in mail coach operations, hospitality, and brewing in South Australia, as well as a pastoralist and racehorse breeder in Victoria, Australia. In Victoria, he was commonly referred to as "Captain Haimes".
History
Born in Australia, likely in Sydney, Haimes was the son of Richard Haimes (deceased 1833), who held the licence for the Waterloo Tavern in George Town, Tasmania. Following his father's death caused by a horse kick, his mother Margaret took over management of the tavern until her remarriage to George Thomas Wilson in 1835; the couple continued running the establishment until 1842. Between 1847 and 1848, Haimes shared the licence for a hotel located at Marrabool Creek near Geelong.
By 1851, Haimes was licensed to operate the Sir John Franklin hotel in North Kapunda. In 1854, he secured the Potapa (also known as Puttapa) pastoral lease situated in the northern Flinders Ranges, which he later sold to Thomas Elder in 1862. Additionally, he oversaw the Baroota and Old Telowie pastoral runs near Port Germein.
Haimes entered the mail service industry in April 1855 by acquiring John Hayter’s stake in Simms & Hayter. The firm operated as Simms & Haimes until January 1856, after which it continued as Haimes & Co, providing weekly routes to Moorundee. Capitalizing on increased traffic along the River Murray during the gold rush period en route to Victorian goldfields, he established a depot at Gawler in 1857 but divested from the business by early 1858. Concurrently, Haimes partnered with Peter Jewell under Haimes & Jewell from 1856 to 1857; following Jewell’s insolvency, Haimes purchased farmland in Netley and Unley where he lived between 1858 and 1860.
Throughout the 1850s, Haimes engaged in horse breeding at Tullowie alongside Jewell; their partnership ultimately dissolved amid legal disputes. Between 1859 and 1860, he fulfilled roles as judge and starter at various regional racing events.
In March 1860, Haimes received his commission as Captain within the South Australian Volunteer Military Force, a rank he predominantly used during his time in Victoria. He traveled to England in 1861 and returned three years later. Upon his return, he disposed of most of his Adelaide properties and established residence in Colac, Victoria, where he served on local councils as both councillor and alderman for Geelong.
Haimes acquired Mamre estate near Colac, encompassing approximately 2342 acres; by 1873 this property had been sold or leased. He also possessed Wychetella estate spanning roughly 6912 acres. His involvement in breeding extended to horses and sheep alike; among his notable stallions were Rapidity, Coeur de Lion, and Bay Middleton. Several horses bred by Haimes—such as Archie, Dufferin, Tasman, and Larpent—garnered victories at Flemington Racecourse.
In collaboration with Charles Mallen, Haimes co-established Waverley Brewery in 1878. Their enterprise owned multiple public houses.
Though known for some eccentric traits, Haimes accumulated significant wealth over his lifetime. He passed away peacefully at Colac after enduring prolonged ill health. His testament included generous legacies such as £500 bequeathed to each child of his friend Edward Meade Bagot, an amount roughly equivalent to $100,000 today.
Family
Haimes remained unmarried throughout his life. His brother Richard Haimes (circa 1826 – 1871) fathered a daughter named Susannah Bridget Haimes (circa 1863 – 1895).
No documented connection exists between John Haimes and Thebarton hoteliers William Haimes (circa 1843 – 1901) or Charles Haimes (circa 1845 – 1898).