Simeon Reeve Cornish

From the George Museum -

Simeon Reeve Cornish 1852-1931 - arrived in South Africa at the age of 21. He went to the Kimberley Diamond fields and met Mr. Blythe who induced him to go to George. He married Blythe's sister, Mrs. Drummond, a widow 20 years his senior, in 1876. He started off in George working as a carpenter, began a cart and wagon business, and after a 2000 pound inheritance from his father, progressed to a house with a shop in York Street. A successful businessman, he invested in property and dabbled in Millwood gold shares. Cornish's civic duties included serving - the Town Council from 1903 - as Mayor of George for many terms - the Divisional Council for 43 years until 1930 - the Hospital Board and Ratepayers Association - founding director and Chairman of the George Building Society from 1917. He took over the Hotel Victoria in 1909 and was owner of the property from 1912 to 1927. As Mayor he married Miss Ivy Hill in 1918 after the death of his first wife, aged 84, in 1918. He was a highly respected Georgian and stood for the public's right to the beaches. He died, aged 79, leaving a wife and 5 children.