John Boileau – pioneer profile

Mr John (Jack) W Boileau is a licentiate of the Dublin Pharmaceutical College, having served his time under his father, the senior partner in the well-known Dublin firm of Boileau and Boyd. He acted as assistant to his father for some time, but being desirous of essaying his fortune in the new world, he came to Australia in 1881, a young man full of enterprise and energy. Being desirous of gaining further experience in Australia, he first took service with Messrs Elliott Bros, of Sydney, and subsequently with Messrs Edward Prosser and Co., whose firm subsequently became the Australian Drug Company.
Mr Boileau then proceeded to Queensland, entering the service of Messrs Elliott Bros., in Brisbane, but after a term with them he travelled over Queensland, and finally returning to Brisbane, started in that city on his own account in 1885. Mr Boileau remained in Brisbane for about two years, and then decided to remove to Adelaide, where he carried on business both in Hindley and Sturt streets, and also in Port Pirie. Success rewarded his efforts, but in 1894 he determined upon migrating to Western Australia.

The gold fields were then beginning to loom largely in the eyes of the world, and Mr Boileau practically pitched his tent at Coolgardie, at that time a town in embryo. The result was such as to exceed his expectations. He speedily found it necessary to establish a business at Kalgoorlie as well, and has now a large and thriving practice all over the goldfields. Other branches were opened by Mr Boileau, but he has since found it necessary to concentrate his efforts upon his premises at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie.

John Boileau shop in the Atlas Chambers, Bayley St, Coolgardie 1898

Atlas Chambers Coolgardie

Both of these establishments are now up to date. The Coolgardie pharmacy was the first business house in the town to be lighted by electricity, and both premises now have the advantage of possessing this modern illuminate. They are as well stocked with all the requirements of a well supplied pharmacy as any of the establishments in the capital cities of Australia, and that although the goldfields towns are almost in the centre of Australia. The stock is not only complete as regards drugs and all pharmaceutical requirements, but also in the newest and best kinds of soaps, perfumery and the hundred and one articles which chemists deal in. Among patent medicines Mr Boileau has two specialities of his own preparation. These are tooth ache drops and a mixture entitled ‘Cough No More’, which is exceedingly good, and is popular all over the gold fields.

John Boileau’s first shop in Coolgardie 1898

Mr Boileau is an exceedingly fine specimen of an Irish gentleman, standing over 6ft. 6in. in his stocking feet, and possessing a most genial temperament, with a quick humor. He is a sporting enthusiast, and on this account alone has won great popularity. He has been the president of the football and cricket associations and also of the Coolgardie Racing Club, while he has held the trusteeship from the Government for the Coolgardie Recreation Ground, and was also one of the trustees for the Racing Club.

When coaching the local Australian Rules team he was reputed to give the players as glass of champagne each half and three-quarter time as he claimed it stimulated them to win.

Mr Boileau. it may be noted, took the first associated team of footballers from the goldfields to Perth. Some time ago a competitive test was resorted to by the “Kalgoorlie Miner,” one of the best of goldfields newspapers, to ascertain who was the most popular man in the district. The choice fell, by a large majority, upon Mr Boileau. For a time Mr Boileau resorted to hotel keeping as the licensee of the Denver City Hotel, and apart from the fact that the business proved very successful financially, it is a pleasant reminiscence with him that upon his giving it up he was given a handsome presentation by his employees.

‘He found that curing sore heads was better than making them’

Mr Boileau was known for his generosity to his fellow-man but his fellows were not always so kind, when he  a Pioneers Reunion in 1914 he was presented with a unpaid bill for 13 shillings and fourpence for 50 gallons of water supplied to his camels in 1894. Sadly, like many, he ended his days without the funds to provide himself with a six horse hearse to take him on his final ride.

Family:– It appears that on arrival in Western Australia John Boileau and his wife Sophia (nee Humphrey) already had two children, John George Boileau and Theophilus Edward Boileau. A daughter, Ruth Anna, died in South Australia at age 2 yrs.  While in Coolgardie Sophia was to give birth to twins, Arthur and Sophia, sadly both were to die within a few days and they are buried together in the Coolgardie Cemetery. Not a lot is known about Sophia except that she had ‘flaming red hair’.

Sophia was herself to die at age the young age of 35yrs in Kalgoorlie and was buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery on the 12 Dec 1912. John remarried to Dorothy Gamm in Kalgoorlie in 1913. They had one son, Edward (Teddy) born 1914. John was to pass away in Kalgoorlie and was also buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery on 17 Mar 1922. He is not buried with Sophia but they are both in the Anglican section. He was survived by Dorothy who re married in 1932.

Miss Dorothy Gamm prior to her marriage to John Boileau