Riggs Albert Henry
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1873 |
| Principal occupation | Farmer, Pastoralist, Councillor. |
| Date of death | 1948 |
| Place of death | Gawler |
Albert Henry Riggs
Albert was born at Bentley, near Gawler, in 1873; the only son of H. J. Riggs. He was educated at St. George’s Grammar School, then Prince Alfred College. Before being associated with his father’s large pastoral and farming estate, Albert worked for two years at the Bank of Adelaide, Gawler.1 In 1928, Riggs sold his station ‘Devenborough’ at Olary to Mr Gebhardt of Burra. He then purchased the Lake Albert Estate of Mr Franks, near Meningie.2
Later, Riggs became a foundation member of the Gawler Model Parliament and was Secretary of the Gawler Branch of the Australian National League. He also served as the first district secretary of the Barossa Liberal Union. Riggs served as a Councillor on the Munno Para East District Council. He served 22 years on council and acted as chairman for six years, retiring because of ill health.
Riggs was a keen sportsman, actively pursuing interests in local cricket, football, and tennis. Riggs competed in Adelaide lawn tennis competitions and was considered a very good player. He was also the secretary of the Gawler Tennis Club for several years. Riggs was also active in the Methodist Church, acting as secretary of the Gawler Methodist Sunday School and the Methodist Literary Society. He was for 30 years, a trustee of the Methodist Church in Gawler, acting as Treasurer. Riggs was on two occasions the President of the Gawler Agricultural Society. He was also a member of the Mounted Infantry and Rifle Club.
In 1940, Riggs was approved to subdivide his land at Gawler Heights. Blocks measure 66 feet with 100 feet frontages. As reported in the Bunyip newspaper, the land, of which the South Para River ran through, comprised sections, "335; 336 and 337 of Pt. Section 3; arid part lots 329 to 3337 and 417 of Pt. Section 4; and Closed Road, laid out as portion of Township of Gawler Heights. The bulk of the blocks, 10 of 60 feet frontage, will face Coombe Street; and four blocks of 100 feet frontage will be on the other side of the river. The Council gave approval of the sub-division."3
In 1904, Albert Riggs married Clara Isabel Verco. Together they had six children: Doris Isabel (1904-1907), Eldred Henry (1907-1992), Margaret Mary (1909-2003, married name Ritchie), Clara Elizabeth (1912-2001), Albert James Verco (1913-1999) and Isabel June Verco (1915-1916).
Albert died at the Hutchinson Hospital, East Terrace, Gawler in January 1948. Albert is buried at the Willaston Cemetery.
<Researched by Allen Tiller>.
Please click here for photos of AH Riggs.
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References
- 1. 'Local Mems.' Bunyip. (9 Feb 1894). p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97573828.
- 2. "Social and Personal" Bunyip (20 April 1928) p.12. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96675688
- [[3. Sub-Division at Gawler." Bunyip (6 September 1940) p. 5. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96699967>.]]
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