Alfred France
Born - 1847Alfred France
London, England
Died - 2nd August 1926
Highgate, South Australia
Spouse - Elizabeth Edith Dawson
Born - c1860
Born - 28th November 1883
Kadina, South Australia
Died - 14th August 1908
Adelaide, South Australia
| Alfred France was an early South Australian colonist, businessman and civic figure who became particularly well known throughout Yorke Peninsula and the Mid North. France arrived in South Australia as a young child aboard the Navarino with his parents. His father was Captain Alfred France. He received his education at J. L. Young's Academy in Adelaide before beginning his working life at the age of 16 as a clerk with the Wallaroo Smelting Works. His ability and integrity soon earned him greater responsibility, and he later became assistant accountant at the company's Moonta Mines office, working under Mr Wyatt and Captain Hancock. After several years in the mining industry, France entered the auctioneering business as a partner in the firm of Moody, Furner and Company. Following Mr Furner's retirement, the partnership was reorganised as Moody, France and Symons. His work with the firm took him extensively throughout Yorke Peninsula and the Mid North, where he became a familiar and respected figure. France also took an active interest in local government and community affairs. During the late 1880s he served as Mayor of Kadina for three consecutive years. Many years later, when Kadina held its "Back to Kadina" celebrations, France returned to the town and was recognised as the oldest former mayor attending the occasion. While living at Moonta, France married Elizabeth Dawson. The couple had three children who survived him: Mrs D. D. Smith of Highgate, Mrs H. J. Letcher of Sydney, and William France of Ethelton. Elizabeth predeceased her husband by 18 years. In the later part of his working life, France returned to accountancy. For approximately 20 years he was accountant to Frank Russell of the Adelaide Stock Exchange, where he was highly respected. Ill health eventually forced his retirement in January, only several months before his death. Alfred France died on 2 August at the Highgate home of his son-in-law, Mr Decimus Smith. He was in his eightieth year and had lived in South Australia for approximately 77 years. He was also survived by three sisters, Mrs J. J. Crane of North Adelaide, Mrs H. A. Bloxam of Mount Lofty and Mrs J. G. Russell, widow of Commissioner Russell, as well as his brother, C. W. France of Blackwood. France's long life encompassed much of South Australia's early development. From the Wallaroo and Moonta mining districts to business and municipal life in Kadina, and later the Adelaide Stock Exchange, he maintained a lengthy association with the commercial and civic affairs of the colony and state. |
| Breweries and hotels involved with Alfred France | |||
| Brewery | Started | Ended | |
| Wallaroo Brewery | 1862 | 1867 | |