Alfred James Whitrow (19 June 1852 - 18 November 1942)

Alfred James Whitrow

Alfred James Whitrow was born on 19 June 1852 and christened on the 17 October 1852 at Poplar All Saints, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, London, England to parents James and Caroline Whitrow.  Caroline's maiden name was Mothersole.  At the time they were living at 4 Anne Street, Bromley.


Birth Certificate of Alfred James Whitrow

Alfred came to Australia with his parents in 1855 at the age of 3 aboard the vessel "Caractacus".

Alfred started his work life as a butcher.

On 20 April 1876 he married Jessie Wilson at the Manse of Presbyterian Church, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.

In the Victorian Rate Books of 1877, Alfred and Jessie were living at Prahran, Victoria, Australia. They are listed as living in Union Street, Windsor.

In the Victorian Rate Books of 1879, Alfred and Jessie were living at Prahran, Victoria, Australia. They are listed at 36 Argo Street (now South Yarra).

In 1880 they were living at 36 Albion Street, South Yarra a street over from Argo Street.

In 1881 they were paying rates at 35 Chapel Street, Windsor which is also where their shop as a broommaker was.

In 1882 they were living at 8 Stewart Street, Windsor.

In 1884 they were living at 28 Union Street, Windsor.

They had 9 children. 7 survived.

Paul Whitrow - Born in Victoria in 1877. Died in 1877.
Alexander James Whitrow (Alick) - Born in Victoria in 1878. Died in 1968.
Alfred William Whitrow (Will) - Born in Victoria in 1880. Died in 1971.
John Herbert Whitrow (John) - Born in Victoria in 1883. Died 1969.
Hersey George Whitrow (George) - Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1886. Died in 1951.
Peter Whitrow - Born in Adelaide in 1889. Died in 1889.
Annie McRae Whitrow (Annie) - Born in Adelaide in 1891. Died in 1978.
Jessie Louise Whitrow  (Lou) - Born in Adelaide in 1894. Died in 1956. My great grandmother.
Andrew Hersey Cushing Whitrow (Ranji) - Born in Adelaide in 1897. Died in 1975.

 

Jessie and Alfred with children Jack (John) Alexander, Bill (Alfred) and Hersey

He later started and managed the Adelaide Broom Manufacturing Company which was located on Franklin Street-Bentham Street, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.  The Company was there on 10 February 1886.


In 1902, Alfred is elected a councillor on the Burnside Council in the Eastwood Ward.

On 26 April 1906, their son Alexander James Whitrow marries Edith Maunder. Alfred and Jessie attend the wedding.  See photo below.

Back row: Albert William Whitrow, Charles Henry (Harry) Maunder, John Herbert Whitrow, Alexander's parents Alfred James and Jessie Whitrow.
Front row: Edith's best friend (name unknown), Violet Murray, Alexander and Edith, Laurel Mead, Edith's parents Mary Ann and Theophilus Maunder. 
Photo taken 26 Apr 1906 at St John's Anglican Church, Halifax Street, Adelaide.

On 26 October 1911, their daughter Annie McRae Whitrow marries Norman Love McLeod at Eastwood Methodist Church.
In 1916, Alfred is elected a councillor on the Burnside Council in the Eastwood Ward.

On 26 June 1936 Alfred's wife Jessie dies at home (12 Matilda Street, Eastwood).

The paper writes: "WHITROW - On 26 June at her residence, No. 12 Matilda Street, Eastwood, Jessie, the dearly beloved wife of Alfred James Whitrow, and loving mother of Alick, Will, John, George, Ranji, Annie and Lou, aged 81 years. Resting."

In 1939 on the electoral roll Alfred is living with his daughter Jessie, son in law Leonard and grandchildren at 12 Matilda Street, Eastwood.  His occupation is Broommaker.

In 1941 on the electoral roll Alfred is living with his daughter Jessie, son in law Leonard and grandchildren at 12 Matilda Street, Eastwood.  His occupation is Broommaker.

On 11 October 1941, his grandchild Alfred James Rowlinson Smith marries Dorothy Clare Moule at Parkside Baptist Church, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Alfred James Whitrow in later life

He died on 18 November 1942 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

He is buried at Road 1 North, Path 24, Site 8, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.