Notable relative - Thomas Gemmell - Pastoral Pioneer
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Thomas and Elizabeth Gemmell
Thomas Gemmell arrived in South Australia from Scotland in the ship India in 1840 with a number of well known pioneers. He was then a young man under twenty years of age. His first years of colonial life were spent at Morphett Vale and Glen Osmond. In 1851 he went to try his luck on the goldfields of Victoria, where he was fairly successful. Returning to the colony he purchased a block of land a few miles to the north of Strathalbyn, where he resided until the time of his death.
Mr Gemmell, shortly after his return from Victoria, married Elizabeth, a daughter of James and Janet Inglis, of near Woodside, a well-known and greatly respected pioneer family, by whom he was ably supported in his endeavours to improve the freehold. As wheat growing was then the order of the day a considerable amount of time and money were expended in clearing and putting under cultivation all the available land. Many heavy crops of excellent grain rewarded the pioneer.
When the land began to show signs of exhaustion, the price of wheat fell, and operations became other than profitable, instead of following some of his neighbours to the Northern Areas, the plough was laid aside and recourse was had to sheep. This proved highly satisfactory, as the land soon recovered heart, while working expenses were less and the profits greater.
Some years ago Mr Gemmell was prostrated through an attack of paralysis that rendered him unable to take an active part in outdoor work during the remainder of his life. Until the last, however, he took great interest in watching movements that affected the conditions of the colony.
He was devotedly attached to the Presbyterian Church at Strathalbyn, and unless prevented by weather or illness he was regular in his attendance.
Few of our early-day colonists were more widely known or more highly respected. As husband, father, neighbour, and citizen he has left an excellent record, and his memory will be cherished with affectionate regard by all who knew him. Thomas Gemmell died in 1897 and Elizabeth died in 1906.
Abridged obituary from ‘The Adelaide Observer’ – 19th June 1897
Mr Gemmell, shortly after his return from Victoria, married Elizabeth, a daughter of James and Janet Inglis, of near Woodside, a well-known and greatly respected pioneer family, by whom he was ably supported in his endeavours to improve the freehold. As wheat growing was then the order of the day a considerable amount of time and money were expended in clearing and putting under cultivation all the available land. Many heavy crops of excellent grain rewarded the pioneer.
When the land began to show signs of exhaustion, the price of wheat fell, and operations became other than profitable, instead of following some of his neighbours to the Northern Areas, the plough was laid aside and recourse was had to sheep. This proved highly satisfactory, as the land soon recovered heart, while working expenses were less and the profits greater.
Some years ago Mr Gemmell was prostrated through an attack of paralysis that rendered him unable to take an active part in outdoor work during the remainder of his life. Until the last, however, he took great interest in watching movements that affected the conditions of the colony.
He was devotedly attached to the Presbyterian Church at Strathalbyn, and unless prevented by weather or illness he was regular in his attendance.
Few of our early-day colonists were more widely known or more highly respected. As husband, father, neighbour, and citizen he has left an excellent record, and his memory will be cherished with affectionate regard by all who knew him. Thomas Gemmell died in 1897 and Elizabeth died in 1906.
Abridged obituary from ‘The Adelaide Observer’ – 19th June 1897