Harry Bartlett (Australian politician)

Henry Bartlett^[1] (6 January 1835 – 8 July 1915), invariably known as "Harry", was a politician in the colony of South Australia, dubbed "Father of the West Coast".^[2]

Harry was born in Bideford^[3] (or Holsworthy?), Devonshire, and arrived in South Australia with his sister and widowed mother Mary Anne Ribouleau Bartlett, née Peress? Perrers? (1814 – 13 June 1902), in 1855.^[4] He soon went to Woolundunga Station, near Port Augusta, and there met John McKinlay, the noted explorer, whom he accompanied on a trip to the Barrier country. Later they went together to Port Lincoln, crossing the gulf in the steamer Daphne. At that time the only buildings in Port Lincoln were a couple of shanties owned by Captain Bishop (later owner of Boston Island), and "Jimmy" Owen. He spent several years prospecting on Kangaroo Island, and Yorke Peninsula from Franklin Harbour to the Gawler Ranges, gaining an intimate knowledge of the country.

He was elected to the seat of Yorke Peninsula in the South Australian House of Assembly and sat from March 1887 to April 1896. His colleagues were, in turn, Robert Caldwell, Henry Lamshed and Arthur Short. He was remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Yorke Peninsula agriculturists at a time when pastoralists were all-powerful.

He owned 742 acres (300 ha) near Port Vincent, by the road to Curramulka.^[5]

Family

His mother Mary Anne Ribouleau Bartlett, née Perrers (1814 – c. 13 June 1902) was a descendant of Admiral Peter Ribouleau and daughter of Capt. H. W. Perrers of H.M. Navy.

He married Anne Ferrett (née Dennis) (1824 – 1890) on 19 March 1864. She was the widow of John Ferrett ( – 6 November 1860)^[6] of Angaston and already had five children; they had three more together. He moved to Germein Street, Semaphore in 1904. He married (Henrietta) Minna Schultze "his true wife"^[7] (c. 1861 – 12 December 1951) on 21 March 1910.^[8]

His sister (Amelia) Lucy Bartlett (1840 – 6 October 1914) married Frederick Samuel Sison (c. 1832–1892) of the brewing firm Syme & Sison (Sison and Bartlett went fishing and shooting together;^[9] Bartlett was remembered in Sison's will)^[10] and lived at Boston House, Port Lincoln; she married again, to Edmund P. G. Oswald (1841 – 19 January 1900) on 1 November 1899.

References

1. "Family Notices.". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1884. p. 4. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
2. "Concerning People". The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 6 January 1915. p. 6. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
3. "Family Notices". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 14 March 1864. p. 2. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
4. "Nearly a Nonagenarian". Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 16 June 1902. p. 2 Edition: One O'Clock. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
5. "Advertising". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1904. p. 12. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
6. "Shocking Accident at Angaston". The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 15 November 1860. p. 3. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
7. "Family Notices.". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 7 July 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 7 September 2015. An enigmatic epitaph.
8. "Family Notices". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 16 July 1910. p. 12. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
9. "Cruise of the Yacht White Squall". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 30 January 1888. p. 5. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
10. "General News". Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904). SA: National Library of Australia. 5 March 1892. p. 30. Retrieved 7 September 2015.