Elders Blacksmith

48 John Street Rosewood was formerly Elders Wheelwright and Blacksmith shop. David Elder was born in Fifeshire Scotland in 1841. He trained as a blacksmith at Anstruther and migrated to Brisbane in 1884. After spending three months in Ipswich, he then moved to Rosewood and started his business. He made spring carts and farm wagons and won prizes for his ploughs and agricultural machinery.

At work, David and his two sons, James and David, wore white moleskin trousers, white starched caps, and leather aprons. A well, 30.5 metres deep, was dug at the back of the blacksmith's shop, but the water was not suitable for drinking. The water was black from the coal underground, and it was also salty.

In 1888, a correspondent to the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 3. reported, “Having occasion to visit Rosewood, last week, I was agreeably surprised to find such a large township”. They go on to describe the extent of the town, including a description of the blacksmith.  “Next is Mr. Elder's (blacksmith, wheelwright, shoeing-forge, and implement maker). I am told that he has three fires in almost constant use.” Explore more of the town in 1888 in this article.

In 1889, David entered a tip dray in the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland Exhibition, for which he was awarded a bronze medal, 5mm across and 1mm thick. On one side, the medal carried the image of Queen Victoria wearing a crown, necklace and earrings, and on the other side, the words, "Exhibition 1889, D. ELDER, Tip Dray" were inscribed within a laurel wreath. In 1892, David handed over the blacksmith shop to Jim, his eldest son, and commenced farming in the Rosewood district. They sold their farm at Rosewood in 1900 and retired to a cottage just around the corner from the blacksmith's shop.  

Four of their sons had become blacksmiths - James (Jim) at Rosewood; David at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane; John, in Toowoomba; and Philip, at Cooroy. The other two brothers had become engine drivers on the Railway - Tom at Southport, and Robert at Chillagoe in North Queensland.

David Elder died on 4 February 1921 at the ae of 79 years and 7 months. In his obituary, it says his “sterling character gained him the respect of all he met in his business and private life. Though not a foundation member of the old Farmers' Club (now the A. & H. Association), he was one of the oldest surviving members. He was a staunch member of the Congregational Church and held the office of deacon for many years”.  Rosewood Letter. (1921, February 14). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3.

James (Jim) Elder

James Elder was born on 4 April 1864 in West Derby, Lancashire. He took over the Rosewood blacksmith shop from his father in 1892. He married (Laura Louisa) Rose Jacobs in 1893, and they had two children, a son and a daughter. Jim and Rose lived in Rosewood all their lives.

Jim was inventive and together with the railway station master, K Burns, in 1904 invented and patented a cream-can barrow to move laden cream cans, from one place to another. A CREAM-CAN BARROW. (1904, March 15). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 9.

Being a smithy could be a dangerous job. “Mr. James Elder, the well-known blacksmith of Rosewood; with the smithy hands, had been engaged in effecting repairs to the 'monkey', used in pile driving at the new bridge now under construction spanning the Bremer River, when Mr. Elder mounted the lorry on which the 'monkey' was placed to receive from one of the hands a molten pin, which was to be inserted. Whilst thus engaged he missed his footing, over balanced and fell backwards to the ground. Slight concussion and painful bruises have necessitated his resting at home for a few days.” ROSEWOOD DISTRICT (1926, October 20). The Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), p. 3.

“Early in his career he made a name for himself as a maker of German wagons, and vehicles of this description have been sent from his shop to all parts of the State. He had wide interests and was a foundation member and exhibitor of the Rosewood A. and H. Society. He also was a foundation member of the Rosewood Masonic Lodge, and a worker for the Congregational Church. With advancing years, he handed over control to his son, Mr. Dave Elder, although even up to a short time ago he was still shoeing his beloved horses whenever he had the opportunity”. James Elder died on 9 April1947 and is buried at Stone Quarry Cemetery, Ebeneezer. Obituary MR. JAMES ELDER (1947, April 26). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 4.

David Elder

David Elder was born in Rosewood on 12 November 1901 and married Lucy Mabel Freeman in 1920. 

In 1939, David enlisted in the militia. In 1940, David Elder advertised for a boy to work for him. The advertisements appear four times from September to October 1940 asking for ‘a strong boy’ or simply ‘boy wanted’. He ran the blacksmith until it was sold in October 1948 to G. Park Advertising (1948, October 29). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5.