John Darling Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Darling Sr.
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 February 1831 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland |
| Died | 10 April 1905 (aged 74) Thurloo, Kensington Road, Norwood, South Australia |
| Children | John Darling Jr., Robert Darling, Charles Alfred Darling, George Darling, James Darling, Frank Darling, Joseph Darling, Isabella Hall |
| Parent | John Darling (– 1841) |
John Patrick Darling Sr. (born 23 February 1831 – died 10 April 1905) was a very successful businessman from Scotland. He became a merchant and the biggest grain exporter in Australia. He also served as a politician in South Australia, working in both parts of its Parliament.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he moved to Australia with his family in 1855. He followed friends who had gone there earlier because they saw many chances to succeed in the new colony.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to Australia
John Patrick Darling was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 23 February 1831. He was the second son of John Darling and his wife, who were not a wealthy family. He went to George Heriot's School. When he was only 10 years old, his father died. This meant John had to leave school at age 11 to help his family earn money.
His first job was as an office boy at a printing shop. After that, he worked at different places, including a type foundry. He worked for one company, James Marr, Gallie, & Co., for about 12 years. He married Isabella Ferguson, and they had two sons, including John Darling Jr..
Some of his friends, like Alexander Dowie and Joseph Ferguson, had moved to South Australia in 1851. They found good opportunities there. Alexander Dowie started a bootmaking and tannery business, and Joseph Ferguson became an owner of a newspaper called The Register.
John Darling saw that there weren't many chances to get ahead in Edinburgh. So, he decided to follow his friends to Australia. He wasn't rich and couldn't get help with travel costs. It took him some time to save enough money to move his family.
Building a Business Empire
In early 1855, John Darling and his family sailed from Leith, Scotland, on a ship called the Isabella. They arrived in Semaphore, South Australia. Just four days later, he found a job at a store in Rundle Street, Adelaide. This job didn't last long, but he soon found work with a baker named Robert Birrell. He worked there for two years.
After that, Darling worked as a carter (someone who transports goods). At the same time, he helped his wife open a small store next to the Stag Inn on Rundle Street. They tried another shop, the "Millbrook Store," which slowly started to make a profit.
His life changed when James Smith, who owned a flour mill, asked Darling to work for his company, Giles & Smith. John Darling worked there for five years. During this time, he learned all about the wheat and flour business. By 1865, he had started his own business. In 1867, he took full control of some grain stores.
His son, John Darling Jr., started working with him. In 1872, his son became a partner, and the business was renamed J. Darling & Son. It became known for milling flour and trading grain and other goods. For 30 years, the business grew steadily. People called John Darling Sr. the "Grain King." He opened branches all over South Australia where wheat was grown. He bought flour mills and set up offices in Melbourne in 1880 and in London. His company grew to handle most of Australia's grain exports.
John Darling Sr. retired from the business in October 1897. His son, John Darling Jr., then became the sole owner.
Community and Church Life
John Darling was a member of the Adelaide Caledonian Society, which celebrates Scottish culture. He was their Chief from 1892 to 1894. He also became very interested in cricket because of his son, Joseph, who became a famous cricket captain for Australia. John Darling Sr. played a big part in helping to build the Adelaide Oval, a famous sports ground.
He was a leader at the Hindmarsh Square Congregational Church before joining the Flinders Street Baptist Church in 1865. At the Baptist church, he was a Sunday school superintendent and an active member. He often preached and served on committees. He only missed church when he lived in Melbourne for two years or when he traveled overseas for his export business in London. Darling also helped start the City Mission Hall and gave £500 to support it.
Later Years and Family
John Darling Sr. attended church the day before he died. He passed away suddenly from heart failure on 10 April 1905, at his family home called "Thurloo."
He married Isabella Ferguson on 31 December 1850. They had seven sons and one daughter:
- John Darling Jr. (1852–1914): He married Jessie Dowie, the daughter of his father's friend Alexander Dowie. John Jr. became a partner in his father's business and took it over when his father retired.
- Robert Darling (died around 1933): He lived in Geraldton, Western Australia and Fremantle, Western Australia. He was an accountant and grain dealer.
- Charles Alfred Darling: He managed the family firm's office in London. Later, he managed the British New Guinea Development Company. He retired to Tumby Bay, South Australia.
- George Darling (around 1865–1936): He lived in Middle Brighton, Victoria.
- James Darling: He married Bessie Dowie, another daughter of Alexander Dowie. They moved to "Glenarona" in Kilmore, Victoria.
- Frank Darling (died before May 1934): He lived in Moorooduc, Victoria.
- Joseph "Joe" Darling (1870–1946): He was a famous international cricket captain for Australia.
- Isabella Darling: She married Henry Ernest Hall, who lived in Williamstown, Victoria.
John Darling Sr. also had a nephew, James Darling (1854–1932), who worked as an agent for J. Darling & Son in Kadina, South Australia.
