William Chisholm
background
Post Eureka Experiences
- AUSTRALIAN MINING MANAGERS
- MR. WILLIAM CHISHOLM, SOUTH GLENFINE.
- Mr. Chisholm was practically reared on the goldfields, for in 1853, when quite a boy, he went to Ballarat with his father and three brothers, and started his mining career by carrying buckets underground. The Chisholms spent some time prospecting at Spring Hill, Creswick. At Eureka they witnessed the famous stockade encounter, where William Chisholm saw one of his acquaintances shot while trying for shelter to a tent.
- Mr Chisholm worked in the Gravel Pits, and shared in the successes of the Majestic Company, Black Hill. He became manager for the Hobart Pasha Company, Waterloo, where he was enabled to pay shareholders 2.5 pound a share in dividends, on an outlay of 2.5. Thence he went to the Prince Re gent, Ballarat East, which he managed in conjunction with a neighbouring venture for 14 years, right up to his present appointment, when Mr. Chisholm took charge at the Prince Regent the company s affairs were at low ebb. He struck an indicator patch returning 185oz mostly in nuggets.
- Mr. Chisholm, like other miners, had several times escaped being crushed by fails of earth. His most sensational experience occurred on the surface. He had been deputed to inspect the machinery of the North Albion Company at Steiglitz, and it was necessary for him to examine the boiler from the inside. The boiler had been left full of water. After allowing the water to run for half an hour, Mr. Chisholm prepared to enter the man-hole. No sooner had be struck a match and placed it to the aperture than there was a terrific explosion. A sheet of flame came forth, singeing Mr. Chisholm's hair, beard, and eyebrows. He was hurled into a corner, while the roof of the building was carried 50ft. away. It is Mr. Chisholm's proud boast that he has never been once asked to resign from a mine; and in nearly every instance he has remained till the last to draw the rails.[1]
Family
- OBITUARY The sudden death of Mrs Janet Chisholm, wife of Mr William Chisholm, of 59 Barkly street, cast a gloom over the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, where the family have so long resided. Mrs Chisholm suffered a severe attack of rheumatic fever, which left her heart in a very weak state. For some time, how-ever, with the exception of intervals, her general health was considered good. On Saturday evening she appeared to be in good health, but at about 2.30 on Sunday morning her husband awakened and was shocked to find that his wife had passed away at his side. The deceased was a native of Glenburn, Larnockshire, Scotland, and was a colonist of 50 years. During her 48 years of married life she had resided in Ballarat and district, 30 years of that period having been spent in Barkly street. She was a member of St. John's Presbyterian Church, where her loss will be deeply felt. She was always greatly interested in the work of the church, and a generous supporter of its enterprises. She leaves a sorrowing husband and family of four sons and four daughters. Her youngest son, Alec, is at the Front. The funeral takes place on Tuesday, to the Ballarat New Cemetery.[2]
Children
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8. Alec Chisholm
Obituary
The death occurred at Ballarat last week of Mr William Chisholm, 81, one of the best-known mining managers in Victoria. Born at Fife, Scotland he arrived in this State in 1852 and settled in Ballarat a year later. He saw the Eureka Stockade fight.[3]
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