Daniel Wilkie Melvin (1838 – 29 July 1916), commonly referred to as D. W. Melvin, was an auctioneer in the early days of Adelaide, South Australia.
Melvin was a son of Rev. David Melvin (died before 1861), [1] chaplain of Tolbooth Prison and Edinburgh City Mission. [2] and Wilhelmina Melvin (c. 1800 – 8 July 1872). [3] He was educated in Edinburgh, and emigrated to South Australia in 1852, two and a half years after his mother, brother and three sisters, who left Leith in June 1850 [4] aboard the barque Young England.
He found employment with Goode brothers' drapery business, then joined his sister and brother-in-law James Whiting, in a similar business at Edinburgh House, 43 King William Street.
He moved to Oakbank, operating a store and wheat-buying business. [5]
In April 1864 he left for Moonta, where he opened a similar store, also acting as postmaster and registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, and was active in the local literary society.
He returned to Adelaide in May 1867, when he began working as sub-editor of the South Australian Register, then was granted auctioneer's licence in June 1876 [6] and began operating from Adelaide Central Auction Mart (also known as Adelaide Central Mart), opposite White's Rooms, King William Street, having taken over the business of Emanuel Cohen & Co. [7] In 1883 he ceased operation at that location, and in November 1909 sold the lease to the firm of Megaw & Hogg [a] of Broken Hill. [11]
He built Melvin Chambers on the site of the City Arms Hotel and Noltenius's store, corner of Waymouth and King William streets, in 1880. [12]
By 1859 he was an active member of the Young Men's Association, a non-sectarian Christian literary society led by Rev. C. W. Evan. [13] When he moved to Oakbank he made moves to establish a literary society in that town, [14] but may have come to nothing. He was a member of the Oakbank Institute, which had similar aims [15] and was vice-president in 1860. [16]
He was a regular church-goer. Following the arrival of Rev. Silas Mead in July 1861, Flinders Street Baptist Church was founded on 5 August 1861, with two of his sisters, Mrs Whiting and Mrs Beeby, among the 25 foundation members, and Melvin joined in December the same year (the building was opened on 19 May 1863). He was closely involved with church activities and served as lay preacher to various congregations. When in Moonta he was prominent in establishing a Baptist Church. [5]
He was a member of the councils of the Caledonian Society of South Australia and the Australasian National League. [17]
He was a strong chess player, a member of the Adelaide Chess Club from 1873 [b] to 1905, and was closely associated with Henry Charlick, [18] coincidentally dying within a few days of each other.
He was a lover of books, and a great reader until prevented by failing eyesight, and died at his residence, Unley Park. [5]
Melvin was three times married: Sarah Grace Lambell on 26 November 1861; [1] Caroline Adams (1849–1896) in 1879; [19] and Mary Ann Eliza in 1905.
He had five sons and two daughters. [5]
Melvin's siblings include:
Daniel Wilkie Melvin (1838 – 29 July 1916), commonly referred to as D. W. Melvin, was an auctioneer in the early days of Adelaide, South Australia.
Melvin was a son of Rev. David Melvin (died before 1861), [1] chaplain of Tolbooth Prison and Edinburgh City Mission. [2] and Wilhelmina Melvin (c. 1800 – 8 July 1872). [3] He was educated in Edinburgh, and emigrated to South Australia in 1852, two and a half years after his mother, brother and three sisters, who left Leith in June 1850 [4] aboard the barque Young England.
He found employment with Goode brothers' drapery business, then joined his sister and brother-in-law James Whiting, in a similar business at Edinburgh House, 43 King William Street.
He moved to Oakbank, operating a store and wheat-buying business. [5]
In April 1864 he left for Moonta, where he opened a similar store, also acting as postmaster and registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, and was active in the local literary society.
He returned to Adelaide in May 1867, when he began working as sub-editor of the South Australian Register, then was granted auctioneer's licence in June 1876 [6] and began operating from Adelaide Central Auction Mart (also known as Adelaide Central Mart), opposite White's Rooms, King William Street, having taken over the business of Emanuel Cohen & Co. [7] In 1883 he ceased operation at that location, and in November 1909 sold the lease to the firm of Megaw & Hogg [a] of Broken Hill. [11]
He built Melvin Chambers on the site of the City Arms Hotel and Noltenius's store, corner of Waymouth and King William streets, in 1880. [12]
By 1859 he was an active member of the Young Men's Association, a non-sectarian Christian literary society led by Rev. C. W. Evan. [13] When he moved to Oakbank he made moves to establish a literary society in that town, [14] but may have come to nothing. He was a member of the Oakbank Institute, which had similar aims [15] and was vice-president in 1860. [16]
He was a regular church-goer. Following the arrival of Rev. Silas Mead in July 1861, Flinders Street Baptist Church was founded on 5 August 1861, with two of his sisters, Mrs Whiting and Mrs Beeby, among the 25 foundation members, and Melvin joined in December the same year (the building was opened on 19 May 1863). He was closely involved with church activities and served as lay preacher to various congregations. When in Moonta he was prominent in establishing a Baptist Church. [5]
He was a member of the councils of the Caledonian Society of South Australia and the Australasian National League. [17]
He was a strong chess player, a member of the Adelaide Chess Club from 1873 [b] to 1905, and was closely associated with Henry Charlick, [18] coincidentally dying within a few days of each other.
He was a lover of books, and a great reader until prevented by failing eyesight, and died at his residence, Unley Park. [5]
Melvin was three times married: Sarah Grace Lambell on 26 November 1861; [1] Caroline Adams (1849–1896) in 1879; [19] and Mary Ann Eliza in 1905.
He had five sons and two daughters. [5]
Melvin's siblings include: