John Lewis (Australian politician)
John Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Brighton, South Australia |
| Died | August 25, 1923 (aged 79) Glen Osmond, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, legislator |
| Years active | 1867–1923 |
| Known for | Member of the South Australian Legislative Council; pastoralist |
John Lewis (12 February 1844 – 25 August 1923) was a notable Australian pastoralist and legislator. He represented the Northern District (1898–1902) and subsequently the North-Eastern District (1902–1923) in the South Australian Legislative Council. He was also the father of Essington Lewis.
Biography
Born on 12 February 1844 in Brighton, South Australia, John Lewis was the son of James Lewis, who was part of the original Adelaide survey team led by William Light and accompanied Charles Sturt on his 1844 Murray River expedition.
Lewis left formal education at age twelve to work on his father’s farm in Richmond. He later took up various roles including sheep droving. Between 1867 and 1885, he acted as the agent for Liston, Shakes and Co. in Burra. In 1871, alongside his brother James, he journeyed to the Northern Territory to acquire land for George McLachlan, an experience he recounted in his autobiography Fought and Won.
After returning to Adelaide in 1876, Lewis married and established his residence in Burra. He became a partner in the stock and station agency with William Liston and James Shakes, serving as their Burra representative until 1885. Following Liston's departure, the business operated under Lewis & Shakes until 1888 when they joined with George W. Bagot to create Bagot, Shakes & Lewis. This firm expanded its holdings by merging with Luxmoore, Dowling & Jeffrey in May 1906. Around this period, Lewis moved to Adelaide, residing at 'Benacre' in Glen Osmond, a property originally constructed for William Bickford.
Lewis owned numerous pastoral estates throughout South Australia such as Dalhousie Springs, Witchelina, Mount Nor'-West, Ediacara, Nappa Merrie, Coronga Peak, and Newcastle Waters, frequently partnering with Sir Thomas Elder.
Following the passing of co-managing partner George Wallwall Bagot on 8 July 1919, Lewis retired from active management. His son Lancelot Ashley Lewis along with wool expert George Jeffrey succeeded him.
In 1924, Bagot, Shakes & Lewis was ultimately incorporated into Goldsbrough Mort & Co..
Politics
Lewis secured election to the South Australian Legislative Council in 1897 representing the North-Eastern district and later won the Northern seat in 1902, which he held until his retirement in 1923.
Other interests
He held the presidency of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia for seven years. Additionally, Lewis served as vice-president of the Royal Society of St. George and participated actively in organizations including the Pastoralists' Association, Aborigines' Friends' Association, Horticultural and Floricultural Society, South Australian Soldiers Fund, and Adelaide Children's Hospital.
Family
In 1876, Lewis married Martha Anne Brook. After her passing, he remarried in 1907 to Florence Margaret Toll, who was both a widow and daughter of William Ranson Mortlock.
Recognition
In January 1923, he was honored with the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
Death and legacy
John Lewis passed away on 25 August 1923 at Glen Osmond in Adelaide.
The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia created the John Lewis Medal in 1947 to recognize achievements in exploration, geographical research, or geographic literature. By 2025, recipients of the Gold Medal receive a medal along with a certificate and citation. The John Lewis Silver Medal is awarded to postgraduate students at South Australian universities for notable geographic contributions.
Bibliography
- Lewis, John (1844–1923) Fought and Won, originally released in Adelaide by W.K. Thomas & Co. in 1922; reissued as a facsimile edition by Gillingham Printers, Adelaide, in 1985. ISBN 0959008713