Charles Lyons

Charles Lyons

• Birth: 22 Jan 1844 - Canada
• Death: 31 Oct 1899 - Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
• Marriage: 18 Jul 1873
• Parents: Thomas Lyons, Janette Patterson
• Spouse: Leah Julia Adelaide Hart

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DEATH OF MR: CHARLES LYONS.

It will come as a shock to the shareholders of the Leigh's Greek Coal Mining Company who were present at the meeting of. that company on Monday evening to hear that their chairman died suddenly within half an hour after its close. Mr. Charles Lyons, who resided at Park Terrace, Parkside, appeared to be in perfectly sound health when conducting the meeting. He made a speech which was deemed by all present to be extremely able, and at its close left the office in Hindley Street, the door of which is immediately opposite the side entrance to Ware's Exchange Hotel. In company with Mr C.P.Lakeman he stood in the street waiting for the secretary of the company Mr'. J. J. Bodley). Whilst chatting with Mr. Lakeman he complained of a catching sensation in his throat, which interfered with his breathing, but he laid no stress on the matter. On the suggestion of Mr. Lakeman, however, they entered the hotel parlor, and Mr. Lyons took a glass of peppermint and whisky, which he said had previously relieved him when he had been seriously affected. This seemed to do him good, but in a short time the choking sensation re turned, and Mr. Lyons asked his friend to call Mr. Winch, chemist. The latter soon arrived, and, seeing the condition of the patient, at once telephoned for Dr. Lynch. Meanwhile- Mr. Linch attempted to assist respiration by artificial means. The patient, however, continued to get worse, and quietly passed away, just as the doctor entered the parlor. Dr. 'Lynch examined the deceased and gave a certificate of death from failure of the heart's action. Dr. Lynch at once proceeded with Mr. Winch went to Parkside and broke the sad news to the family.

Mr. C. S. Leader, partner of the deceased, was at once communicated with. He informed a representative of 'The Advertiser' that he had known Mr. Charles Lyons for a great many years.

Deceased was the second son of Mr. T. W. Lyons, who for many years held a position in the Civil Service, being employed in the Lands Titles Office. He was born on January 22, 1844, in Canada, with in sound of the Falls of Niagara. He came to South Australia when he was merely a boy. He became an expert draughtsman, and was for some time engaged in the Government Survey Office, which he left to enter the firm of Wright Brothers as a clerk. Mr. Leader stated that he had been associated with deceased since 1860, first as a clerk, and then in 1879, when Messrs. Wright Brothers went to England. Mr. Leader and deceased carried on the business under the style of Lyons & Leader. Deceased married Miss Hart, a daughter of the late Mr. Goodman Hart, of Adelaide. For about twelve years he acted as chairman of the Norwood School Board of Advice, previously holding the same office in the East Torrens School Board of Advice, until its assimilation with the former board. He was also a member of the board of the Adelaide Hospital, and for a time he acted as deputy chairman during the absence of Mr. C. Tucker. Although he has never been a candidate for political honors, the wish was at one time expressed by a large number of farmers in the district of Wooroora that he should contest that district, and they promised him their support. He had an extensive experience in municipal matters, and was for many years representative of the East Norwood ward in the Norwood council, in which capacity be filled his duties with considerable ability. He contested the mayoralty of the same corporation on one occasion, but was unsuccessful. He resigned his position as Councillor many years ago.

His business dealings were marked by a large amount of kindness and liberality, which secured him numerous friends, and all who had a personal acquaintance with him held him in high es teem. During the last few days he was completing his arrangements for his annual tour of inspection of the farms of the firm's clients. These visits extended often as far as Emu Downs, and were usually made in the latter part of October. Deceased was also a director of many mining companies, among which were the Lake Austin Consols, North and South, Warra Warra, Mountain of Light, Thigh's Creek Coal Mining Company, and many others. He was also a director of the Permanent Equitable Building Society. Mining in South Australia occupied his attention to a great extent, and his theory was that the mineral output of this colony would some day be the principal staple of her commerce. Deceased was a prominent member of the Church of England, and was at one time wardsman of St. Bartholomew's, Norwood, and for many years past had been a member of the standing committee of the Church Office. He was also honorary secretary of the Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers' Friend Society.

Deceased leaves a widow and three sons and four daughters. The eldest son, Mr. C. G. Lyons, is now in the West Australian Bank at Roeborne, on the north west coast of West Australia. Mr. T. W. Lyons, his eldest brother, is a well known musician of this city, and Mr. J. H. Lyons, of Messrs. Muirden Bros. Academy, is also a brother of the deceased.

OBITUARY. (1899, November 4). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 25. Retrieved February 16, 2016