Arthur Addison

Arthur Richman Addison (17 May 1842 – 29 July 1915) was an Australian politician.

History

He was born in Adelaide the son of Thomas Plummer Addison, who emigrated to South Australia with his wife Eliza aboard the Pestonjee Bomanjee, arriving in October 1838, and who was for many years deputy collector of Customs of South Australia.

Arthur was educated at St. Peter's College, and on leaving found employment with Younghusband and Cadell's River Murray Navigation Company. After three years he worked for the National Bank, then four years with the Bank of South Australia, during which time he served as the bank's Port Elliot branch.

He next went into business with William Bowman, setting up a flour milling business at Middleton, which proved highly profitable. He later settled in Orroroo, where he founded, in partnership with Edward Trussell, another milling business, with which he was associated for the remainder of his life.

Politics

While at Port Elliot, Addison was involved with the district council, and served as chairman for much of that time. He succeeded Thomas Playford as chairman of the district councils of South Australia. He was the inaugural chairman of the District Council of Orroroo from 1888 to 1890. He then entered South Australian politics, serving as a member of the South Australian Legislative Council for the Northern region from 1888 to 1915. For six months in 1909 he was a minister without portfolio.^[1] In 1903 he was offered the portfolio of Chief Secretary in the Kingston government but declined the honor.

Other interests

He was an active member of the Church of England, and at Orroroo conducted a great number of services as lay reader.

He was a great sportsman, and a member of Tattersall's Club. He owned a number of thoroughbred horses, one in particular, Vistula, which won the ARC Grand National Hurdles in 1891 and the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank in 1892. He took a great interest in the Volunteer Militia, and rose to the rank of Captain with the Orroroo Volunteer Force, and later captained the Orroroo Defence Rifle Club, and won many trophies for his precise marksmanship.^[2]

Family

He was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth Bowman (died 12 January 1889), was a daughter of his partner William Bowman. They married on 12 May 1870 and had nine children. After Elizabeth's death, aged 39, Arthur remarried Adelaide Williams in 1893.

A son, Walter C. Addison (died 18 July 1951), a champion target rifle shooter of Orroroo, married Gertrude Madeleine Woods (19 Oct 1872 – ), daughter of E. J. Woods, on 8 May 1900. Their son Gerald Bowman Addison (died 1994) was also a noted marksman.

References