William Knapman
William Knapman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1830-12-04 Devonshire, England |
| Died | 1908-06-24 |
| Occupation(s) | Hotel proprietor, brewer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Knapman and Son hospitality enterprise |
William Knapman (4 December 1830 – 24 June 1908) was a prominent hotel proprietor, brewer, and entrepreneur in colonial South Australia. He established the hospitality enterprise Knapman and Son, which continued to operate well into the 20th century. His lineage included distinguished South Australian athletes, a concert pianist, and multiple publicans.
History
Originating from Devonshire, England, Knapman trained professionally as a carpenter before marrying Charlotte Bowden in 1853. The couple emigrated to South Australia the following year. Beginning his career as a carpenter, he soon became both the builder and inaugural licensee of the Lord Exmouth Hotel on Lefevre Peninsula in 1859. In 1860, he took over the lease of George Coppin's "White Horse Cellars" hotel and theatre in Port Adelaide, eventually purchasing the property and converting the theatre space into a brewery. By 1883, he relocated this brewing operation to Cannon Street—known as the "Cannon Brewery"—and repurposed the original site into retail shops.
In 1873, Knapman constructed the Port Pirie Hotel, which was operated by his son-in-law Samuel Wills. The family relocated to Port Pirie by 1876, where Charlotte managed the Port Pirie Hotel. By 1880, Maria Knapman assumed management of the Pilot Boat Hotel in Port Pirie. Following Charlotte’s passing and William’s subsequent remarriage, he settled at "Canonteign," his residence at Cannon Street and The Minories in Port Adelaide, where he passed away in 1908. He left behind his second wife, four children—including Alf and Samuel Knapman—and numerous grandchildren.
Around 1912, Knapman and Son entered into a partnership with the South Australian Brewing Company to supply beer across their hotel network. This arrangement led to the closure of Cannon Brewery, which was then converted for use by the Commercial Chemical Company.
Family
William Knapman (4 December 1830 – 24 June 1908) married Charlotte Bowden (circa 1835 – 30 May 1892), and later wed Mary (circa 1851 – 29 October 1939), widow of Thomas Barret Brown, in 1895. Their home was "Canonteign" in Port Adelaide. Their children comprised:
- Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Knapman (1854–1928), who married Samuel Wills; their descendants included Fred, Sydney, Percy, and Amy Wills.
- William Henry Knapman (circa 1856–1900), educated at Thomas Caterer’s school in Norwood; he managed the Crystal Brook Hotel from 1875 to 1879 before assuming control of his father’s brewery. He was married twice: first to Grace Amy Wills (deceased 1884) and then Elizabeth Agnes Rieken (circa 1860–1950). His offspring included:
- Ethel Emma Knapman (circa 1884–1905), who married Arthur Burley Jones, a leading businessman associated with Jones Brothers.
- William Hans Knapman (born 1886), possibly engaged as an executive within an oil company.
- Percy Knapman (1888–1958), involved in brick manufacturing.
- Amy Elizabeth Knapman (born 1889), spouse of Vincent Frederick Gerhard.
- Stanley Knapman (1892–1959), married Lillian Florence Grace Austwick.
- Albert "Bertie" Knapman (1893–1981), married Frieda Eleonore Herrmann.
- Charlotte Jane Knapman (1858–1872).
- (John) George Walter Knapman (1865–1901), who managed multiple hotels including Railway Hotel in Port Pirie and Franklin Harbor Hotel at Cowell; he wed Ada Maud Wills in 1895. Their children were:
- Arnold Wills Knapman (born 1896), who married noted pianist Dorothy Oldham.
- May Knapman, who married Harrold Osborne Jones.
- Alfred Ernest Albert "Alf" Knapman (1867–1918), manager of Port Pirie Hotel and Producers Club Hotel on Grenfell Street; married Ellen Jellett. Their daughters Thelma and Vida Yvonne Knapman married sportsman Vic Richardson; their sons Ian, Greg, and Trevor Chappell became renowned cricketers.
- Charlotte A. "Lottie" Knapman (1874–1953), spouse of politician George Ritchie; their children included Isobel Ritchie, Colin Knapman Ritchie, and Bruce Ritchie.
- Samuel James Knapman (1876–1917), who married Alice Louise McKenzie; their children were Charlotte Waycotte "Lottie" Knapman and Wesley Bowden Knapman, a motor mechanic who perished aboard HMAS Sydney.
- Lorna Mavis Knapman (1908–1989) married Herbert John Edwards, licensee of hotels located in Broken Hill and Grange.
Maria Knapman (circa 1843–1899), William senior’s sister, married James Smith of Prospect Farm near Port Pirie around 1885; Smith had been widowed twice prior to this marriage.
Another William Knapman
William Henry Knapman (1864–1932), who emigrated from Exeter, Devon, is mentioned here to differentiate him from the more well-known Knapman lineage.
- William Henry "Harry" Knapman (circa 1864 – 7 March 1932) resided in Alberton and was employed by S.A. Railways; he wed Clara Alice Gubbins of Yongala in 1889.
- Florrie Knapman (1889–1954) became the wife of Clifton W. Remphrey; they had two offspring.
- Frank Henry Knapman (1892–1978), also from Alberton, married Florence Alberta Zeitz; their children were Dulcie, Ross, and Ronda.
- Ella Knapman entered into marriage with Claude Mitchell in 1919.
- Roy Thomas Knapman (deceased 1989) managed an automobile garage in Alberton; he married Thelma Grace Hamilton and fathered three children.
- May Knapman (passed away 1953) was married to Clement Murray Window.
- Sylvia C. "Sylv" Knapman wedded Allan Boyce of Bondi, New South Wales in 1934.
The Knapman hotels
William Knapman was responsible for founding multiple notable hospitality establishments across South Australia:
- Constructed and operated the Lord Exmouth Hotel on LeFevre Peninsula (later known as Exeter) from 1859 to 1862
- Initially leased and subsequently owned the White Horse Cellars in Port Adelaide between 1860 and 1876; this venue was later renamed the Black Diamond Hotel under Duncan Reid’s ownership
- Established and managed the Port Pirie Hotel from 1876 until 1893
- A. E. A. Knapman took over management of the Port Pirie Hotel from 1893 to 1902
- Maria Knapman oversaw the Pilot Boat Hotel (which was later called the West Suburban Hotel) in Port Pirie during the period 1880 to 1886
- J. G. W. "George" Knapman operated Howe's Hotel in Port Pirie from 1885 to 1892; then managed the Railway Hotel at Solomontown between 1893 and 1899; followed by Franklin Harbor Hotel in Port Lincoln during 1900–1901
- W. H. Knapman was in charge of the Crystal Brook Hotel from 1875 to 1878
Ownership and operation of these South Australian hotels remained with Knapman and Son until their purchase by Lion Brewing and Malting Co in 1973.