Edward Davies (1852 - 1927)

Born 12 Apr 1852 in Newport Monmouthshire Wales

Husband of Rhoda Catherine (Sexton) Davies — married 11 Oct 1876 in Stow Memorial Church Adelaide South Australia

Descendants

Died 2 Apr 1927 at age 74 in Glenelg, South Australia, Australia

Biography

Edward Davies is Notable.

Edward Davies married Rhoda Catherine Sexton 11 Oct 1876 at Stow Memorial Church, Adelaide, South Australia. ^[1]

DAVIES SEXTON. On the 11th October, in the Stow Memorial Church, by the Rev. W. R. Fletcher, M.A, Edward Davies, late of Melbourne, to Rhoda Catharine, daughter of the late Mr. John Sexton, of Adelaide. ^[2]

He married Ada Egan 23 Dec 1903 at the Methodist Church, Kent Town, South Australia. ^[3]

Edward Davies passed away age 74 on 2 Apr 1927 in Glenelg, South Australia ^[4] and was buried in North Road Cemetery. ^[5]

LATE MR. EDWARD DAVIES

Architect and Artist.

Mr. Edward Davies, F.S.A.I.A., one of the best-known citizens of Adelaide, died suddenly at his home at Glenelg on Saturday afternoon. He underwent a slight operation on March 25, and was progressing favourably, but he collapsed on Saturday afternoon and died shortly afterwards. Born in Newport, Wales, on April 12, 1852, he arrived in Melbourne in his infancy with his parents. His father, the late Mr. Edward Davies, was a tanner, and starting operations on the Yarra, at Richmond, was one of the pioneers of that industry in Victoria. Mr. Edward Davies, jun., was educated first at a State school in Melbourne. His father, following the old family custom, had destined him to be a tanner, and when his school days were over he worked at that trade until he was about 15 years old-. Then, showing a taste for drawing, he was invited by the father of a boy friend to join in lessons that he was giving his son. Thus Mr. Joseph Lambeth, (former Colonial Architect for South Australia) started him on his life profession, in which he rose high on the ladder of success.

Professional Career.

In the office of Mr. Albert Purchas - a Melbourne architect, civil engineer and surveyor - Mr. Davies served five years' apprenticeship. He made the best of his opportunities for gaining practical insight into his profession, and studied hard in any spare time. He next had 18 months' tuition in the art and science of building, then he joined, as a draftsman, the architectural branch of the Victorian Education Department. He came to South Australia in 1876 as senior draftsman in the Education Department, under the late Mr J. E. Woods. Shortly after his arrival he began the study of landscape painting, and became a member of the Adelaide Art Circle. Later he joined the Adelaide Easel Club, which subsequently amalgamated with the South Australian Society of Arts. Mr. Davies was a past President of that organization. He secured second prize for his design of what is now known as the new Government Offices in Victoria square. He Ieft the employ of the Government, and entered the office of the late Mr. James Cummings, and after winning a competition for a design for Clayton Church and another for the East Adelaide Congregational Church, was admitted into partnership in the firm, which became known as Messrs. Cummings & Davies. The late Mr. Davies commenced business on his own account in 1884. He designed many important structures in Adelaide, including the Commercial Bank and the offices for the National Mutual Life Association in King William street, and the Savings Bank, Currie street. In 1906 Mr. C. W. Rutt, who was his pupil, was taken into partnership, the firm being known as Edward Davies & Rutt. Since then changes have occurred, but throughout Mr. Davies held a prominent place in his profession. He was a fellow of the South Australian Institute of Architects.

As an Artist.

The deceased took a very keen interest in art, and was an artist of no mean order. Painting was his recreation, particularly in oil and watercolour. His exhibits at the exhibitions by the Society of Arts, of which he was a President, always attracted much attention. In the Adelaide Art Gallery is one of his landscapes. He was a valued member of the Board of Governors of the Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery. Outside his profession he had few activities. He was however, a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The Family.

The late Mr. Davies was twice married. At his death, however, he was a widower. There are five sons and four daughters, as follow: Messrs. C. Davies (Adelaide), E. Davies (Auckland, N.Z.), P. and S Davies (Gold Coast, Africa), and H. Davies (Port Lincoln), and Mesdames W. Hammer (Kew, Victoria), F. T. Pitt (Yankalilla) L. L. Laybourne Smith (Millawood), and L. Martin (Broadway, Glenelg). There are 11 grandchildren, the deceased was highly esteemed by all who knew him. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 23 Aug 2022) database entry for Edward DAVIES (age 25, marital status S, father Edward DAVIES) and Rhoda Catherine SEXTON (age 26, marital status S, father John SEXTON) 11 Oct 1876, Stow Memorial Church Adelaide. Reference: District Adelaide, Book/Page 109/424
2. ↑ "Family Notices" South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) 17 October 1876: 4. Web. 23 Aug 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43006571>.
3. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 23 Aug 2022) database entry for Edward DAVIES (age 51, marital status S, father Edward DAVIES) and Ada EGAN (age 37, marital status S, father John MacNamara EGAN) 23 Dec 1903, Methodist Church Kent Town. Reference: District Norwood, Book/Page 217/1078
4. ↑ South Australia Death Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 23 Aug 2022) database entry for Edward DAVIES (Death date 2 Apr 1927, age 74, marital status M, place of death Glenelg, residence Glenelg) Reference: District Adelaide, Book/Page 494/107
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 August 2022), memorial page for Edward Davies (unknown–2 Apr 1927), Find A Grave: Memorial #201571044, citing North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, Prospect City, South Australia, Australia; Maintained by Faithe Jones (contributor 50048377).
6. ↑ "LATE MR. EDWARD DAVIES" The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) 4 April 1927: 9. Web. 23 Aug 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54099605>.

• See also :
• The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) 4 April 1927: 11. Web. 23 Aug 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page4598410>.
• Wikipedia Edward Davies (Architect)