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'''Joseph Crompton''' (17 January 1840 – 27 April 1901) was a [[vigneron]], manufacturer and exporter who founded several companies in [[British colonisation of South Australia|the early days of the colony of South Australia]]. The eastern foothills suburb of [[Stonyfell, South Australia|Stonyfell]] was named after the property he bought in 1858, on which [[vineyard]]s were established. Stonyfell Winery still exists today, although the grapes are sourced from [[Langhorne Creek]]. Crompton also established [[olive grove]]s and set up businesses manufacturing soap, and exporting [[animal skin]]s and plant resins to Britain.
'''Joseph Crompton''' (17 January 1840 – 27 April 1901) was a [[vigneron]], manufacturer and exporter who founded several companies in [[British colonisation of South Australia|the early days of the colony of South Australia]]. The eastern foothills suburb of [[Stonyfell]] was named after the property he bought in 1858, on which [[vineyard]]s were established. Stonyfell Winery still exists today, although the grapes are sourced from [[Langhorne Creek, South Australia|Langhorne Creek]]. Crompton also established [[olive grove]]s and set up businesses manufacturing soap, and exporting [[animal skin]]s and plant resins to Britain.


==History==
==History==
He was born in [[Liverpool]], England, the youngest of the four sons<ref>{{Citation|last=Findlay|first=Marjorie|title=Crompton, Joseph (1840–1901)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/crompton-joseph-3292|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref> of Woodhouse Crompton and his wife Lucy ({{nee}} Fletcher). After the death of his parents, he was brought up by his maternal aunts at [[Rivington Hall]], the Fletcher family home in Lancashire. After attending a boarding school in [[Knutsford]]<ref name=adb/> he decided to emigrate to [[South Australia]] in the hope of improving his health and making a fortune. To help in this second ambition he carried an introduction to the family of [[Francis Clark and Sons|Francis Clark]], who were also [[Unitarianism|Unitarians]], as he was.
He was born in [[Liverpool]], England, the youngest of the four sons<ref name=adb>{{Citation|last=Findlay|first=Marjorie|title=Crompton, Joseph (1840–1901)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/crompton-joseph-3292|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=2018-09-19|quote=This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, (MUP), 1969}}</ref> of Woodhouse Crompton and his wife Lucy ({{nee}} Fletcher). After the death of his parents, he was brought up by his maternal aunts at [[Rivington Hall]], the Fletcher family home in Lancashire. After attending a boarding school in [[Knutsford]]<ref name=adb/> he decided to emigrate to [[South Australia]] in the hope of improving his health and making a fortune. To help in this second ambition he carried an introduction to the family of [[Francis Clark and Sons|Francis Clark]], who were also [[Unitarianism|Unitarians]], as he was.


He sailed on the ''[[SS Great Britain]]'', arriving in [[Melbourne]] on 24 September 1860 and [[Adelaide]] a month later.
He sailed on {{SS|Great Britain}}, arriving in [[Melbourne]] on 24 September 1860 and [[Adelaide]] a month later.


In Adelaide, he found employment working with [[Henry Septimus Clark]] in his capacity as engineer and secretary for the [[East Torrens District Council]], and took over many of his duties, while forming a close friendship. (This council covered the area from the [[Adelaide parklands|East Parklands]] to the [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] and as far north as [[Norton Summit, South Australia]].)
In Adelaide, he found employment working with [[Henry Septimus Clark]] in his capacity as engineer and secretary for the [[East Torrens District Council]], and took over many of his duties, while forming a close friendship.<ref name=adb/> (This council covered the area from the [[Adelaide Park Lands|East Parklands]] to the [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] and as far north as [[Norton Summit]].)


===Wine===
===Wine===
In 1858 Henry had bought an [[Adelaide Hills]] property dubbed "Stonyfell" by his fiancée Annie Martin, and by 1862 he and Robert Slape had planted some {{convert|34| acre}} of vines and largely completed the two-storey cellars.<ref name=vineyards/> On 21 May 1862<ref name=Story>''The Crompton Story Joseph Crompton and the Companies He Founded'' Crompton & Sons Ltd 1962</ref> Henry formed a partnership with his brother Sidney and Joseph Crompton. Henry died in 1864 and in 1873 Joseph (who had meanwhile married Susan Mary Clark and together toured bought out Sidney's share, becoming sole owner, but retained the business name "Clark & Crompton" until 1880. Joseph and his family moved into Stonyfell Cottage which had been built in 1838 by the previous owner William? James? Edlin.<ref name=Story/> In 1901 the whole family, with the exception of H. W. Crompton, was still living there.<ref name=death/>
In 1857<ref name=origin>{{cite web|url=https://www.burnsidehistory.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cnames.pdf|publisher=Burnside Historical Society|title=Burnside Street Names and their Origins |page=C-6,C-13| date=2015|access-date=4 June 2020}} [https://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/files/assets/public/about-council/about-us/our-history/street-names-amp-origins/ab_all_the_front_pages_3rd_edition.pdf Preface to 3rd edition] says 1st edition 1989; 2nd edition 2000; Amendment 1 2004; 3rd edition 2015. All sections available [https://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Community-Recreation/Cultural-Heritage/Street-Names-Origins on Burnside Council website] and [https://www.burnsidehistory.org.au/historical-project/burnside-street-names-and-their-origins/ at Burnside Historical Society].</ref> Henry bought an [[Adelaide Hills]] property, dubbed "Stonyfell" (meaning "rocky hill") by his fiancée, Annie Montgomery Martin.<ref>{{cite web | title=The A-Z history of Adelaide's suburbs | website=Adelaide Now | date=9 October 2013 | url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/the-az-story-of-the-history-behind-adelaide8217s-suburbs/news-story/080ff33904ed61786f6c017cd2a70b92 | access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> Together with Henry Clark, Crompton established Stonyfell Vineyards in 1858,<ref name=origin/> and by 1862 he and Robert Slape had planted some {{convert|34| acre}} of vines and largely completed the two-storey cellars.<ref name=vineyards/> On 21 May 1862<ref name=Story>{{Citation | author1=Crompton & Sons | author2=Crompton Bunyip Soaps | author3=Stonyfell Olive Company | title=The Story of Joseph Crompton and the companies he founded | date=1962 | publisher=Crompton & Sons : Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd. : Stonyfell Olive Co | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19796630 | accessdate=4 June 2020 }}</ref> Henry formed a partnership with his brother Sidney and Joseph Crompton. Henry died in 1864 and in 1873 Joseph (who had meanwhile married Susan Mary Clark) bought out Sidney's share, becoming sole owner, but retained the business name "Clark & Crompton" until 1880. Joseph and his family moved into Stonyfell Cottage which had been built in 1838 by the previous owner James Edlin.<ref name=Story/> According to Department of Mines records, there was a quarry opened in 1837 by James Edlin in the area, to supply slate and building stone.<ref name=sunday />


In 1901 the whole family, with the exception of H. W. Crompton, was still living there.<ref name=death/>
Clark & Crompton employed as winemaker Henry Tyler, who produced a Dry Red [[Burgundy wine|Burgundy]], a Dry White [[Hock (wine)|Hock]], a Light Red and a [[Muscat wine|Muscat]] from their own and other growers' grapes, producing in the 1870s around {{convert|9,000|impgal}} each vintage.<ref name=vineyards/> With the sale of the property in 1888, Francis Crompton had no further interest in winemaking, but Henry Martin and his son Ronald took over the winemaking business from Dunstan in 1902 and in 1934 purchasing vineyards and cellars from the Dunstan estate.<ref name=vineyards/>

Clark & Crompton employed as winemaker Henry Tyler, who produced a dry red [[Burgundy wine|Burgundy]], a dry white [[Hock (wine)|Hock]], a light red and a [[Muscat wine|Muscat]] from their own and other growers' grapes, producing in the 1870s around {{convert|9000|impgal}} each vintage.<ref name=vineyards/> With the sale of the property in 1888, Francis Crompton had no further interest in winemaking, but Henry Martin and his son Ronald took over the winemaking business from Dunstan in 1902 and in 1934 purchasing vineyards and cellars from the Dunstan estate.<ref name=vineyards/>


===Olives===
===Olives===
Line 27: Line 29:


===Other raw materials===
===Other raw materials===
For a considerable time Cromptons were exporting accroides [[resin]] from the [[yacca]] plant (''Xanthorrhoea spp.''), obtained when [[Kangaroo Island]] land was being cleared; in one year 1200 tons were exported. This resource is effectively non-renewable,<ref name=Story/> as the plant is extremely slow growing.
For a considerable time Cromptons were exporting accroides [[resin]] from the [[Yucca|yacca]] plant (''Xanthorrhoea spp.''), obtained when [[Kangaroo Island]] land was being cleared; in one year 1200 tons were exported. This resource is effectively non-renewable,<ref name=Story/> as the plant is extremely slow growing.


===Soap===
===Soap===
In 1878 Joseph founded the Bunyip Soap factory on {{convert|53|acre|ha}} to the south of [[Port Pirie, South Australia|Port Pirie]]. In 1889 the factory moved to the banks of the Torrens on Winwood Street, [[Southwark, South Australia|Southwark]], previously occupied by T. Cornish's tannery, where it was managed by J. Milbourne, previously with the Apollo Soapworks then J. Kitchen and Sons. The company was still operating from the same premises, adjacent to [[F. H. Faulding|F. H. Faulding Ltd.]], in 1962.<ref name=Story/> The name Bunyip Soap Company was registered in 1898 and from ca.1955 as Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd until ca.1991 when the firm went into voluntary liquidation.<ref>http://www.gabr.net.au/biogs/ABE1700b.htm#related</ref>
In 1878 Joseph founded the Bunyip Soap factory on {{convert|53|acre|ha}} to the south of [[Port Pirie]]. In 1889 the factory moved to the banks of the Torrens on Winwood Street, [[Southwark, South Australia|Southwark]], previously occupied by T. Cornish's tannery, where it was managed by J. Milbourne, previously with the Apollo Soapworks then J. Kitchen and Sons. The company was still operating from the same premises, adjacent to [[F. H. Faulding|F. H. Faulding Ltd.]], in 1962.<ref name=Story/> The name Bunyip Soap Company was registered in 1898 and from {{circa|1955}} as Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd until {{circa|1991}} when the firm went into voluntary liquidation.<ref>{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Bruce A. | title=Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd | website=Guide to Australian Business Records | date= 3 December 2006 | url=http://www.gabr.net.au/biogs/ABE1700b.htm#related | access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref>


Around 1900, Bunyip Soaps opened an office in [[Perth]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26299180 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=24 December 1910 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and had a factory at 25 Cliff Street, [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]] in the first half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58409057 |title=A Bout at Collie |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |location=Perth |date=16 December 1928 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=4 Section: First Section |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32255749 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 February 1929 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Around 1900, Bunyip Soaps opened an office in [[Perth]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26299180 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=24 December 1910 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and had a factory at 25 Cliff Street, [[Fremantle]] in the first half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58409057 |title=A Bout at Collie |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |location=Perth |date=16 December 1928 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=4 Section: First Section |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32255749 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 February 1929 |accessdate=20 February 2012 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


===Grazing===
===Grazing===
He leased a {{convert|500|mi2}} (1295 km²) (190,000) acres property near [[Keith, South Australia]] where he grazed sheep, later selling the {{convert|300,000|acre|ha}} for £6000.
He leased a {{convert|500|mi2|adj=on}} property near [[Keith, South Australia]] where he grazed sheep, later selling the {{convert|300000|acre|ha}} for £6000.


===Farming===
===Farming===
He purchased a [[dairy farm]] of {{convert|116 |acres}} on [[Port Road, Adelaide|Port Road]], [[Woodville, South Australia]],<ref name=Story/> and purchased {{convert|500| acre}} at [[Carrickalinga, South Australia]] near [[Myponga, South Australia]].
He purchased a [[dairy farm]] of {{convert|116 |acres}} on [[Port Road, Adelaide|Port Road]], [[Woodville, South Australia]],<ref name=Story/> and purchased {{convert|500| acre}} at [[Carrickalinga]] near [[Myponga, South Australia]].


==Depression==
==Depression==
Like [[John Barton Hack]] in the 1840 depression, Francis Crompton was ill-equipped to weather the financial downturn of 1884–1885. His assets were too diverse and widespread and he was forced to relinquish Carrickalinga and Stonyfell to the [[Bank of Adelaide]], but retaining the Stonyfell house. In 1888 the property was purchased by quarry operator [[Henry Dunstan]], who took on Henry Martin as his secretary and accountant. The great hill on the Stonyfell property was still being quarried by Dunstan's family (as Quarry Industries Ltd.) well over a century later.<ref name=Story/> <!-- the vineyard was later purchased by the Martin family, closely related to the Clarks.-->
Like [[John Barton Hack]] in the 1840 depression, Francis Crompton was ill-equipped to weather the financial downturn of 1884–1885. His assets were too diverse and widespread and he was forced to relinquish Carrickalinga and Stonyfell to the [[Bank of Adelaide]], but retaining the Stonyfell house. In 1888 the property was purchased by quarry operator [[Henry Dunstan]], who took on Henry Martin as his secretary and accountant.<ref name=Story/> The business was known as H. M. Martin and Son.<ref name=sunday >{{cite web | title=Sunday History Photo / SA | website=ExplorOz | date=25 December 2016 | url=https://www.exploroz.com/forum/133990/sunday-history-photo--sa | access-date=4 June 2020|quote=here are also several conflicting definitions of the area of Stonyfell Quarry, when differing names and dates surface. }}</ref> The great hill on the Stonyfell property was still being quarried by Dunstan's family (as Quarry Industries Ltd.) well over a century later.<ref name=Story/> <!-- the vineyard was later purchased by the Martin family, closely related to the Clarks.-->


The same year, Joseph sold the house "Ilfracombe" on the Stonyfell Road to Henry Martin. This property was built for James George Nash F.R.C.S., the Colonial Surgeon, and later owned by pastoralist John Hallett.<ref name=vineyards>Bishop, Geoffry C. ''The Vineyards of Adelaide'' Lynton Publications, Blackwood, South Australia 1977 {{ISBN|0-86946-280-6}}</ref>
The same year, Joseph sold the house "Ilfracombe" on the Stonyfell Road to Henry Martin. This property was built for James George Nash F.R.C.S., the Colonial Surgeon, and later owned by pastoralist John Hallett.<ref name=vineyards>Bishop, Geoffrey C. ''The Vineyards of Adelaide'' Lynton Publications, Blackwood, South Australia 1977 {{ISBN|0-86946-280-6}}</ref>


==Family==
==Family==
Joseph Crompton married (Susan) Mary Clark (28 February 1846 – 20 July 1932) on 8 May 1866.<ref name=adb>Findlay, Marjorie, [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/crompton-joseph-3292/text5003 'Crompton, Joseph (1840–1901)'], ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed 25 January 2012</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35774563 |title=Out Among The People. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=31 December 1946 |accessdate=25 January 2012 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Mary Crompton worked with her sister Emily Clark on the boarding-out committee and succeeded her on the State Children's Council in 1906.
Joseph Crompton married (Susan) Mary Clark (28 February 1846 – 20 July 1932) at the [[Unitarian Church of South Australia|Unitarian Christian Church]] in [[Wakefield Street]] on 8 May 1866.<ref name=adb/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35774563 |title=Out Among The People. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=31 December 1946 |accessdate=25 January 2012 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Mary Crompton worked with her sister Emily Clark on the boarding-out committee and succeeded her on the State Children's Council in 1906.


They had ten children:
They had ten children:
*Henry Woodhouse Crompton (28 June 1867 – 10 November 1946) studied law, married Kate Brooke "Katie" Smith (c. 1868 – 12 September 1948) on 18 May 1893, was manager of the Olive Company 1889 – , and managing director of the Bunyip Soap Company. Lived at Northumberland St, [[Heathpool, South Australia|Heathpool]]
*Henry Woodhouse Crompton (28 June 1867 – 10 November 1946) studied law, married Kate Brooke "Katie" Smith ({{circa|1868}} – 12 September 1948) on 18 May 1893, was manager of the Olive Company 1889 – , and managing director of the Bunyip Soap Company. Lived at Northumberland St, [[Heathpool, South Australia|Heathpool]]
*(Caroline) Lucy Crompton (31 July 1868 – 1956)
*(Caroline) Lucy Crompton (31 July 1868 – 1956)
*Martha "Patty" Crompton (26 February 1870 – 1962)
*Martha "Patty" Crompton (26 February 1870 – 1962)
*Alfred "Alf" Crompton (17 January 1872 – 1963)
*Alfred "Alf" Crompton (17 January 1872 – 1963)
*Dorothea "Dora" Crompton (1873 – c. 6 October 1881)
*Dorothea "Dora" Crompton (1873 – {{circa|6 October 1881}})
*Owen Crompton (1875–1923) married Sarah Simpson, daughter of [[Alfred M. Simpson]] of Young House, Parkside, on 27 September 1904. He was manager of the Olive Company (1899– ) and owner of Alma Chambers.
*Owen Crompton (1875–1923) married Sarah Simpson, daughter of [[Alfred M. Simpson]] of Young House, Parkside, on 27 September 1904. He was manager of the Olive Company (1899– ) and owner of Alma Chambers.
*Robert "Bob" Crompton (1878–1958) manager Olive Company 1923 –
*Robert "Bob" Crompton (1878–1958) manager Olive Company 1923 –
*Thomas Edwin "Tom" Crompton (30 April 1880 – 1960) owner of [[Adelaide Arcade]] 1919–??
*Thomas Edwin "Tom" Crompton (30 April 1880 – 1960) owner of [[Adelaide Arcade]] 1919–??
*Bernard "Bun" Crompton (7 July 1882 – 1945)
*Bernard "Bun" Crompton (7 July 1882 – 1945)
*Harriet Mary "Hetty" Crompton (11 February 1884 – )
*Harriet Mary "Hetty" Crompton (11 February 1884 – )
*John William Crompton (1885 – 1966)
*John William Crompton (1885–1966)
<!-- who was
<!-- who was
*Joseph "Joe" Crompton married Isabella Camilla Liddon Abernethy in 1921 -->
*Joseph "Joe" Crompton married Isabella Camilla Liddon Abernethy in 1921 -->
Line 65: Line 67:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal|url=https://www.burnsidehistory.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/Newsletter-2006-09-Volume-26-Number-3-Burnside-Historical-Society.pdf|title=Stonyfell House Plaque|publisher=Burnside Historical Society|first=John|last=Crompton|pages=12–13|journal=Newsletter|volume=26|issue=3|date=Sep 2006|others=Article written on 29 April 2006}}
*{{cite web |url=https://birdssa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/Historical59.pdf|title=The Cromptons of Stonyfell|first=Penny|last=Paton|publisher=South Asia Open Archives (SAOA)|series=SAOA Historical Series No 59 |date=2017}}
*{{cite web | title=Photographs relating to Crompton and Clark families |website=State Library of South Australia | url=https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+389/22/1-77 }}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:History of Adelaide]]
[[Category:History of Adelaide]]

Latest revision as of 21:32, 17 August 2023

Joseph Crompton (17 January 1840 – 27 April 1901) was a vigneron, manufacturer and exporter who founded several companies in the early days of the colony of South Australia. The eastern foothills suburb of Stonyfell was named after the property he bought in 1858, on which vineyards were established. Stonyfell Winery still exists today, although the grapes are sourced from Langhorne Creek. Crompton also established olive groves and set up businesses manufacturing soap, and exporting animal skins and plant resins to Britain.

History

[edit]

He was born in Liverpool, England, the youngest of the four sons[1] of Woodhouse Crompton and his wife Lucy (née Fletcher). After the death of his parents, he was brought up by his maternal aunts at Rivington Hall, the Fletcher family home in Lancashire. After attending a boarding school in Knutsford[1] he decided to emigrate to South Australia in the hope of improving his health and making a fortune. To help in this second ambition he carried an introduction to the family of Francis Clark, who were also Unitarians, as he was.

He sailed on SS Great Britain, arriving in Melbourne on 24 September 1860 and Adelaide a month later.

In Adelaide, he found employment working with Henry Septimus Clark in his capacity as engineer and secretary for the East Torrens District Council, and took over many of his duties, while forming a close friendship.[1] (This council covered the area from the East Parklands to the Mount Lofty Ranges and as far north as Norton Summit.)

Wine

[edit]

In 1857[2] Henry bought an Adelaide Hills property, dubbed "Stonyfell" (meaning "rocky hill") by his fiancée, Annie Montgomery Martin.[3] Together with Henry Clark, Crompton established Stonyfell Vineyards in 1858,[2] and by 1862 he and Robert Slape had planted some 34 acres (14 ha) of vines and largely completed the two-storey cellars.[4] On 21 May 1862[5] Henry formed a partnership with his brother Sidney and Joseph Crompton. Henry died in 1864 and in 1873 Joseph (who had meanwhile married Susan Mary Clark) bought out Sidney's share, becoming sole owner, but retained the business name "Clark & Crompton" until 1880. Joseph and his family moved into Stonyfell Cottage which had been built in 1838 by the previous owner James Edlin.[5] According to Department of Mines records, there was a quarry opened in 1837 by James Edlin in the area, to supply slate and building stone.[6]

In 1901 the whole family, with the exception of H. W. Crompton, was still living there.[7]

Clark & Crompton employed as winemaker Henry Tyler, who produced a dry red Burgundy, a dry white Hock, a light red and a Muscat from their own and other growers' grapes, producing in the 1870s around 9,000 imperial gallons (41,000 L; 11,000 US gal) each vintage.[4] With the sale of the property in 1888, Francis Crompton had no further interest in winemaking, but Henry Martin and his son Ronald took over the winemaking business from Dunstan in 1902 and in 1934 purchasing vineyards and cellars from the Dunstan estate.[4]

Olives

[edit]

In 1874 he founded the Stonyfell Olive Company Ltd. with William Mair and Sidney Clark[1] on 130 acres (53 ha) of Stonyfell land. This business became largely owned by the family of Owen Crompton after his marriage to Sarah Simpson, daughter of A. M. Simpson, who settled on her the whole of his considerable stake in the company. With the inexorable expansion of Adelaide's suburbs, the land was sold to developers.[5]

Wool and leather

[edit]

In 1878 he began exporting skins to Britain[7] and in 1879 he bought a 10-acre (4.0 ha) property in what is now Beverley, South Australia for stabilising hides and skins for export to English fellmongers. In 1882 he opened a similar establishment in Footscray, Victoria.

At one stage Cromptons were exporting 1000 bales of rabbit skins annually, or 150 tons per week.[5]

He is believed to have been the first to export kangaroo skins to England, sometime before 1883, to Booth and Company (England) Ltd. Over 80,000 skins were exported to the same company in 1952.[5]

Other raw materials

[edit]

For a considerable time Cromptons were exporting accroides resin from the yacca plant (Xanthorrhoea spp.), obtained when Kangaroo Island land was being cleared; in one year 1200 tons were exported. This resource is effectively non-renewable,[5] as the plant is extremely slow growing.

Soap

[edit]

In 1878 Joseph founded the Bunyip Soap factory on 53 acres (21 ha) to the south of Port Pirie. In 1889 the factory moved to the banks of the Torrens on Winwood Street, Southwark, previously occupied by T. Cornish's tannery, where it was managed by J. Milbourne, previously with the Apollo Soapworks then J. Kitchen and Sons. The company was still operating from the same premises, adjacent to F. H. Faulding Ltd., in 1962.[5] The name Bunyip Soap Company was registered in 1898 and from c. 1955 as Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd until c. 1991 when the firm went into voluntary liquidation.[8]

Around 1900, Bunyip Soaps opened an office in Perth[9] and had a factory at 25 Cliff Street, Fremantle in the first half of the 20th century.[10][11]

Grazing

[edit]

He leased a 500-square-mile (1,300 km2) property near Keith, South Australia where he grazed sheep, later selling the 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) for £6000.

Farming

[edit]

He purchased a dairy farm of 116 acres (47 ha) on Port Road, Woodville, South Australia,[5] and purchased 500 acres (200 ha) at Carrickalinga near Myponga, South Australia.

Depression

[edit]

Like John Barton Hack in the 1840 depression, Francis Crompton was ill-equipped to weather the financial downturn of 1884–1885. His assets were too diverse and widespread and he was forced to relinquish Carrickalinga and Stonyfell to the Bank of Adelaide, but retaining the Stonyfell house. In 1888 the property was purchased by quarry operator Henry Dunstan, who took on Henry Martin as his secretary and accountant.[5] The business was known as H. M. Martin and Son.[6] The great hill on the Stonyfell property was still being quarried by Dunstan's family (as Quarry Industries Ltd.) well over a century later.[5]

The same year, Joseph sold the house "Ilfracombe" on the Stonyfell Road to Henry Martin. This property was built for James George Nash F.R.C.S., the Colonial Surgeon, and later owned by pastoralist John Hallett.[4]

Family

[edit]

Joseph Crompton married (Susan) Mary Clark (28 February 1846 – 20 July 1932) at the Unitarian Christian Church in Wakefield Street on 8 May 1866.[1][12] Mary Crompton worked with her sister Emily Clark on the boarding-out committee and succeeded her on the State Children's Council in 1906.

They had ten children:

  • Henry Woodhouse Crompton (28 June 1867 – 10 November 1946) studied law, married Kate Brooke "Katie" Smith (c. 1868 – 12 September 1948) on 18 May 1893, was manager of the Olive Company 1889 – , and managing director of the Bunyip Soap Company. Lived at Northumberland St, Heathpool
  • (Caroline) Lucy Crompton (31 July 1868 – 1956)
  • Martha "Patty" Crompton (26 February 1870 – 1962)
  • Alfred "Alf" Crompton (17 January 1872 – 1963)
  • Dorothea "Dora" Crompton (1873 – c. 6 October 1881)
  • Owen Crompton (1875–1923) married Sarah Simpson, daughter of Alfred M. Simpson of Young House, Parkside, on 27 September 1904. He was manager of the Olive Company (1899– ) and owner of Alma Chambers.
  • Robert "Bob" Crompton (1878–1958) manager Olive Company 1923 –
  • Thomas Edwin "Tom" Crompton (30 April 1880 – 1960) owner of Adelaide Arcade 1919–??
  • Bernard "Bun" Crompton (7 July 1882 – 1945)
  • Harriet Mary "Hetty" Crompton (11 February 1884 – )
  • John William Crompton (1885–1966)

Joseph Crompton suffered a form of paralysis from 1889 to 1891, and it was a recurrence of this which killed him in 1901.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Findlay, Marjorie, "Crompton, Joseph (1840–1901)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 19 September 2018, This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, (MUP), 1969
  2. ^ a b "Burnside Street Names and their Origins" (PDF). Burnside Historical Society. 2015. p. C-6,C-13. Retrieved 4 June 2020. Preface to 3rd edition says 1st edition 1989; 2nd edition 2000; Amendment 1 2004; 3rd edition 2015. All sections available on Burnside Council website and at Burnside Historical Society.
  3. ^ "The A-Z history of Adelaide's suburbs". Adelaide Now. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Bishop, Geoffrey C. The Vineyards of Adelaide Lynton Publications, Blackwood, South Australia 1977 ISBN 0-86946-280-6
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Crompton & Sons; Crompton Bunyip Soaps; Stonyfell Olive Company (1962), The Story of Joseph Crompton and the companies he founded, Crompton & Sons : Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd. : Stonyfell Olive Co, retrieved 4 June 2020
  6. ^ a b "Sunday History Photo / SA". ExplorOz. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020. here are also several conflicting definitions of the area of Stonyfell Quarry, when differing names and dates surface.
  7. ^ a b c "Concerning People". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 29 April 1901. p. 5. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  8. ^ Smith, Bruce A. (3 December 2006). "Crompton Bunyip Soaps Ltd". Guide to Australian Business Records. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Advertising". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 24 December 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  10. ^ "A Bout at Collie". The Sunday Times. Perth: National Library of Australia. 16 December 1928. p. 4 Section: First Section. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  11. ^ "Advertising". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 1 February 1929. p. 7. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Out Among The People". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 31 December 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 25 January 2012.

Further reading

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