Fast Facts
Type of person Individual
Date of birth 1837
Place of birth England
Date of death 1912
Place of death Gawler South

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John James Peek had established himself in Gawler South in 1860 and operated a notable building business in Gawler during the flourishing second half of the nineteenth century. He was contractor on the construction of the Gawler Town Hall in Murray Street (1878) and Gawler Court House in Cowan Street (1881). He also won the contract for the masonry and plastering of the Old Spot Hotel additions in 1880 amongst many other projects.[1]

In 1887 he was contracted to build a Mill Manager's Residence and 2 workers cottages at the Gilbert & Co Chaff Mill site at Evanston, the Mill Manager's Residence initially known as 'Mill Cottage', was extended over time to become the Orange Grove homestead.

John passed away at his Gawler South home on 5 Feb 1912, aged 74, leaving behind widow Mary Anne.[2]


Following his death, the Bunyip (9 Feb 1912)[3] published this obituary:

"THE LATE MR. J. J. PEEK.— On Sunday last Mr. J. J. Peek, the well-known builder of Gawler South, was taken seriously ill with hemorhage of the brain and death resulted on the following day. The late gentleman was born in Lincolnshire, England, on November 3, 1837, and arrived in South Australia in 1849. He came to Gawler in 1880 and started business for himself as a mason. Since that time be has erected many buildings in this neighborhood. Among them are the Post Office, the Town Hall, the Railway Station, Pile's Buildings, and Dr. Maher's residence. Those who had business dealings with Mr. Peek speak of him as a straightforward man, whose word was his bond. His work could always be relied upon. For several years the late gentleman was a member of the Munno Para West District Council. Mr. Peek was twice married. His first wife died in 1888 and be was subsequently married to the lady who has now been left a widow. The late gentleman was 74 years of age."[3]

Properties of John James Peek

The property at 30 Fourth Street was transferred to John James Peek in 1889 and following Peek’s death, to Wilhelm Theodor Dieckmann, also a Gawler South Mason, in 1913.[1]

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Birth, Death & Marriage Information

PEEK John James

b. Abt. 1838

m. ? (d. 1888)

m. Margaret Anne nee ?

d. 5 Feb 1912, at his residence, Gawler South, SA, aged 74[2]

Buried 6 Feb 1912, Willaston Cemetery, Willaston (Plot 42 Q 1)

Related Articles


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Flightpath Architects (2020) Town of Gawler Heritage Review - ‘30 Fourth Street Gawler South’, VOL 2. p.60, Adelaide, South Australia. For full acknowledgements see: https://gawlerhistory.com/index.php/Gawler_Heritage_Review_2020
  2. 2.0 2.1 Daily Herald (7 Feb 1912) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105215522
  3. 3.0 3.1 "The Late Mr J J Peek" (Bunyip 9 Feb 1912)https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97567952




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