Joseph Henry Pellew died on 19th November 1904 aged 50yrs at his home at 14 MacDonald Street, Kalgoorlie. J H Pellew was the founder of the popular stores named after him in Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, Menzies, and Fremantle.
Joseph was born on the 12th of April 1854 in Magill, Adelaide South Australia, and was the son of Thomas Pellew and Fanny nee Cook. On the 20th February 1883, he married Margaret Jane Lee in North Kensington South Australia. Tragically she was to die less than three months from marriage. Joseph was to marry again on the 14th of January 1892 to the sister of his first wife, Laura Mary Lee. The couple had the five following children:
Clarence Everard ‘Nip’ Pellew born Port Pirie SA in 1893 (Well known Cricketer ‘Nip Pellew’)
Randal Colenso Matthews Pellew born Port Pirie SA in 1895
Leslie Raymond Pellew born North Kensington SA in 1896 (Killed in Action in France aged 20yrs)
Elliot Lindley Pellew born Port Elliot, SA in 1898
Lancelot Vivien Pellew born Port Elliot SA in 1899
The Western Australian Post Office Directories show that Joseph had established his business in Western Australia by 1896. Laura and the children may have stayed in South Australia at first, however, she had joined Joseph in Kalgoorlie by 1901 living at 14 MacDonald Street. She is shown in the following photograph with Joseph and the children. As you will see in the second photograph, the house is little changed today.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus 25 June 1901, page 21 – 14 MacDonald St, Kalgoorlie
14 MacDonald St, Kalgoorlie – 2021
After Joseph’s death, his wife Laura returned to South Australia, she never remarried and died there in 1940 aged 79yrs.
Pellew’s stores sold millinery, drapery, and clothing. The Kalgoorlie store was located to the right of the Grand Hotel on Hannan Street. The following photograph shows the premises on the occasion of a staff outing picnic on New Year’s Day 1904. (the two-story building is the Grand Hotel) and a group photograph of staff and families taken on the day.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus Tuesday 26 January 1904, page 23
As with many of the larger businesses, the staff formed sporting and social groups. The Pellew’s staff had their own tennis team:
Kalgoorlie Western Argus Kalgoorlie 28 June 1904, page 25 – Pellews Tennis Club
Kalgoorlie Miner 23 December 1904, page 2
Mr J H Pellew
Owing to the Iamentable death of the proprietor of the drapery business known so long and favorably under the familiar designation of ‘Pellew’s” has come into the hands of the executors appointed under the will. In compliance with the will of the late Mr. Pellew, all the business assets in his estate are to be realised. Consequently, a winding-up sale is in progress at the Hannan Street branch. Assistants are kept busy attending to the wants of customers.
Westralian Worker Perth 3 June 1904, page 7
Thrifty housewives, who avail themselves of all opportunities to secure bargains can be noticed in abundance at this winding-up sale. The press of business has not given the management a chance to compete on a large scale in the matter of Christmas adornments to make the place even more than usually attractive. All energies have to be concentrated on attending to the many who clamor for the hosts of bargains that the Pellew sale affords.
Funeral Notice – The Sun Kalgoorlie 20 November 1904, page 4
Joseph is buried in this most impressive double plot at the Kalgoorlie Cemetery, grave 2125 in the Anglican Section. He is buried alone.
Photo Danele Warnock – Find A Grave
Moya Sharp
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Thanks for this great story Laura Mary is my 2 cousin 2x removed – my daughter lives in Kalgoorlie and I have been coming there for 15 years – will visit grave next time I am there