John & Catherine Cooper 1900

John and Catherine's Golden Wedding Celebration

John Cooper of "Kelvin House" Riverton, is the fifth son of the late William Cooper of Modbury, South Australia, Formerly of Norfolk, England, where he was born in 1837.

After a private education he accompanied his parents to South Australia in 1848, by the vessel "Marian", landing at Port Adelaide in February 1849.

After  arriving he was engaged in farming occupations at Modbury until 1856, when at St. Andrews church of England Walkerville, he married Catherine, third daughter of the late Alex Harvie, of Glasgow, Scotland and moved to Riverton.  Here he began independent operations on rented property, meeting with some considerable success.  This estate he after acquired, and added to his landed possessions, at the present time covering an area of over 600 acres known as "Kelvin Bank".

In the earlier days of his career, Mr Cooper experienced some rough travelling on the Burra Road, among other  vicissitudes of the pioneer's lot.  He included in his triumphs that of being one of the champion ploughmen of his day and for his skill in that direction, secured some fine prizes at contests in the country districts.

In connection with the industry in which he has engaged, he was the owner of several noted sires of Heavy Draught stock,  including "Young Burns", "Prince Of Clyde", and "Black Leg", and has paid the substantial price of 350 pounds for one of those valuable stallions.

Mr Cooper has taken considerable interest in public affairs in the district and has served in the ratepayers for sixteen years as a member of the local council, during which time he occupied the chair for the time.  He has been a member of the Institute Committee for many years, and President for a term.

A staunch member of the Bible Christian Church denomination from its inception in the neighbourhood, he acted as a delegate to the Annual Conference for 25 years. Later on, when this was amalgamated with the Methodist Church, he continued in the connection and has held all the offices open to a layman, including that of circuit steward.

During 50 years membership in the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, he has passed though all the chairs of office.

Mr Cooper had a family of nine children, of whom one son and five daughters survive. His son, Robert Harvie Cooper of "Kelvin Bank" is a successful farmer in the district.

As at 7th. October 1962, "Kelvin House", is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A.O. Thomas.

Mrs. Thomas is a granddaughter of the late John Cooper

Taken from the Encyclopaedia 1909 of South Australia
Volume II 1909

 

The Advertiser April 21st 1906 page 28

Golden Wedding: On April 16th, 1856 at St. Andrew’s Church, Walkerville, by the Rev. Packard, Mr John Cooper to Miss Catherine Harvie.
Present Address: “Kelvin House: Riverton.

The Adlelaide Chronicle April 28th 1906 page 15

Riverton, April 18th. Mr & Mrs John Cooper of “Kelvin House”, Riverton, old and respected residents of this town, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Easter Monday.  Twenty nine members of their family were present at a Luncheon in the Methodist Sunday School room, hosted by their son, Mr Robert Harvie Cooper and his wife of “Kelvin Bank” Farm.

Friends and relatives who attended a Reception during the afternoon were entertained with music and singing by their children and grand children after which many beautiful presents were opened including two handsome arm-chairs presented by their family.  Delicious fare and refreshments were then served bringing to an end a very happy occasion.

Mr John Cooper arrived in this Colony with his parents and brothers in the ship “Marion” on February 10th, 1849 and settled at Modbury.  He left for the Victorian goldfields with two of his brothers in 1852, but had little success.  On his return he married Miss Catherine Harvie, formerly of Glasgow, Scotland and moved to Riverton where he first rented and then purchased land just south of the township.  Mr & Mrs Cooper moved into the town following the marriage of their son, Robert in 1898. 

During his almost 50 years in the district, Mr Cooper has been a prominent worker in connection with the Bible Christian Church since its foundation and more recently with the Methodist Church following amalgamation of which he is a Trustee.  He has been a member of the Gilbert District Council fir the past 12 years and Chairman for a term.  He has also been a member of the Institute Committee for a number of years during which time he has held the position of President.

Mr Fred Norton, Mr Sam Olley and Mr Harry Davis all spoke in highly eulogistic terms of both Mr & Mrs Cooper alluding to the active role they had played in promoting the best interests of the district.  In his response Mr Cooper thanked his immediate family for the delightful spread and family and friends for sharing this special occasion with he and his wife.

The Register, March 15th, 1874

Riverton: On Thursday morning last, a fire was seen to break out in or near Mr. William Ballard’s stubble paddock about a mile and a half south east of Riverton and there being no one at hand to quench same it soon spread and swept through two or three adjoining paddocks down to the River Gilbert.  The wind at first was blowing from the north east; but shortly afterwards it changed to a south easterly causing the fire to break out again towards the north requiring all the exertions of the people assembled to check it, indeed it was feared that Mr. John Cooper’s home “Kelvin Bank” would be burnt down as fire approached to within a very short distance.

Mr. Cooper, however, got two ploughs and quickly harnessed his team and ploughed around his home and I understand that the furrows he made prevented the fire from travelling any closer in that direction.  A lot of stubble and grass were destroyed.

An Inquest was held on Saturday morning, but no evidence as to the cause was forthcoming and the verdict was given accordingly.

There is a great deal of stubble burning being undertaken presently, mostly in the evenings and not with-standing the notices which the Government caused to be posted up at different places in the early part of summer, some farmers light their stubble in the middle of the day.

Only little more than a week ago a farmer near Riverton began burning his stubble in the day time without ploughing around the paddock and the fire spread into a neighbour’s paddock and burnt most of his feed.  No doubt if there was a Police Station in Riverton this and other existing evils would be done away with.

 

The Register, March 16th, 1874

Riverton: Our Riverton corespondent describes a serious bushfire, which originated in Mr. W. Ballard’s stubble paddock about a mile and a half from Riverton and swept over a considerable extent of country.

It was only by very great exertion that “Kelvin Bank”, the property of Mr John Cooper was saved from destruction.

There appears to be in many cases great negligence or disregard of the regulations as to stubble burning and the presence of police is much required to reinforce the rules and regulations.