Parsons Family

Parsons & Lewis Horsehair Drawers & Curlers (S&DHS Cat 1).jpg

Edmund "Ted" was born in Manchester, England in 1855. He was the son of Henry Parsons & Eleanor Parsons Nee Organ. Henry was a silk weaver.

Ted did an apprenticeship as a hair drafter, but by the early 1870's, one of his lungs had collapsed due to the pollution from the coal burning that was required to powered Manchester's many industries.

By 1885, due to his health issues, Ted had migrated to Australia and was working at Laycock's Hair Drafting Company which was located in Sydney.

In 1887, Ted and his business partner Richard Lewis established their first business in Victoria Street, Carlton. During this time Ted was living at 120 Little Oxford Street, Collingwood.

Ted married Emily Amelia Dean in Richmond, Victoria. Emily's parent's Robert Henry Dean & Sophia Dean Nee Buckel had migrated to Australia in 1883 and had settled down in Richmond. Emily was the second child of eight children with only four surviving infancy.

In about 1892, Ted and Richard Lewis established a new factory in Anderson's Road, Braybrook Junction. They relocated a former Oregon framed blacksmith shop from the corner of Barkers Road & High Street, Kew (opposite the Kew Tram Depot) to their new factory site.

Edmund also purchased a terrace style house in nearby Morris Street.

By the early 1900's, Richard Lewis was running other parts of the business and died from Anthrax in 1909.

Edmund's wife Emily died in 1904, at the age of 37 years old. She was buried in the Footscray Cemetery.

In 1905, at the age of 12 years old, Edmund's son Joseph "Joe" Robert started working at his father's factory.

On Easter Monday 1908, Joe heard the train smash at the Sunshine Station and raced there to help.

By 1912, the Parsons' family had moved to a house built beside the factory in Anderson Rd.

In 1913, tragedy struck the Parsons family when young Edmund "Ted Jun." drowned in the Kororoit Creek behind the factory. In 1910, young Ted has already been rescued from drowning in the creek after suffering an epileptic fit while fishing.

The First World War broke out in 1914 and Joe was required to stay at home as he worked in a "Reserved Industry".

In 1918, Joe married Lillian Mary Francis. She was born on the 21st November 1891 in Esher, England. Lillian and her brother Tom had earlier migrated to Australia. Tom had met Hugh Victor McKay in England and when he arrived in Australia he became Hugh's chauffeur whereas Lillian became a governess, looking after Hugh's children.

Edmund died on the 1st October 1918 and is buried with his wife in the Footscray Cemetery.

By 1920, Joe was managing the business and employed 8 men which included 5 drafters, 1 curler, 1 spinner's boy, 1 driver and 1 shed worker.

Joe and Lillian had 3 sons (Edmund "Eddie" Francis b6/11/1919, Robert "Bob" Eric b19/1/1921 & Cyril Joseph b28/5/1922 & 1 daughter (Dorothy Lillian b1928).

Joe managed to keep the business afloat during the 1930's Great Depression. Also during the 1930's Joe became a local Councilor and eventually became the Braybrook Shire President for two terms (1938 - 1939) & (1945 - 1949) and the City of Sunshine Mayor for one term (1956 - 1957).

All Joe's three sons worked in the family business.

When World War Two was declared, Joe's business was once again declared a "Reserved Industry" but that did not stop his two sons Ediie & Bob from joining up with the armed services.

During World War Two saw all Joe's sons marrying.

In 1942, Edmund "Eddie" Francis Parsons married Madge McLeod Myers. They had two daughters & 1 son.

In 1944, Robert "Bob" Eric Parsons married Constance "Connie" Buthoit Bell. Bob and Connie had four children (Peter Robert b21/8/1946), (Barbara Constance b25/4/1949), (John Franic b8/7/1951) & (Lesley Kaye b9/8/1954).

In 1945, Cyril Joseph Parson married Edna May Clifton. Cyril and Edna had five children (Kathryn Anne b9/1/1947), (Robert John b6/4/1962 d6/6/1962) & 3 other children.

In 1945, Joe purchased his business opposition, the firm of Gunn & Hiskens Pty Ltd at Kensington. Joe's son Edmund "Eddie" became the Secretary of this firm before moving to Brisbane to run the factory at Wynnum, which was located on the banks of the Brisbane River. Edmund eventually left the business to run a news agency at Murnane, another suburb of Brisbane.

After the end of the Second World War, Joe's two sons Robert "Bob" & Cyril took up the management of the Sunshine Business.

Joe's wife Lillian died on the 27th July 1949 in her home in Graham Street, Sunshine. Lillian was buried in the Footscray Cemetery.

In 1952, Joe's daughter Dorothy Lillian was married to John Gordon Miller.

Joe died on the 15th December 1966 and is buried in the Altona Memorial Park.

Joe was a keen gardener and was one of the Foundation Members of the Sunshine Horticultural Society.

Joe's other interests included the Boys' Scouts, St, St. Marks Church, St. Marks Athletic Club, St. Marks & Sunshine Masonic Lodges, Sunshine Co-Operative Housing Society, Sunshine Cricket Club, Sunshine District Band, Sunshine & District Cricket Association, Sunshine & District Patriotic Committee, Sunshine Football Club, Sunshine Park Management Committee, Sunshine Red Cross, Sunshine Swimming & Life Saving Club, Sunshine United Soccer Club & The Rotary Club of Sunshine. In these clubs Joe served in many executive positions including Chairman, President, Vice President & Secretary.

With Joe's extensive service to the local community, J.R. Parsons Reserve and Parsons Street have be named in his honour.

In 1974, the Eddie and Bob Parsons moved the business operations to their Kensington site. In 1988, after 100 years of continuous operations they sold the business.

In 1978, at the age of 59, Eddie died leaving two sons & one daughter.

Bob died at Footscray on the 12th December 1998. He was cremated and his memorial plaque is at the Altona Memorial Park besides his wife Connie who died later in 2013.

Cyril died on the 28th September 2001 and is buried with his infant son Robert John in the Altona Memorial Park.

Joe's two sons Bob & Cyril also took an interest in the social activities of this Sunshine District.

Cyril was involved in the St. Mark's Sunshine Younger Set Club, Sunshine District Football Club and the Sunshine United & Wattle Cricket Clubs.

Bob was interested in the The Rotary Club of Sunshine and became one of the early Presidents of the Sunshine & District Historical Society. His wife Constance "Connie" was also the Treasurer of the Society and she was heavily involved in the Sunshine Ladies Benevolent Society.

1893 Morris St Braybrook Parsons, Edmund Henry

1895 Morris St Braybrook Parsons, Edmund Henry

1896 Morris St Braybrook Parsons, Edmund Henry

1897 Morris St Braybrook Parsons, Edmund Henry

1898 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1899 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1900 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1901 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1902 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1903 Anderson's Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1903 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1904 Anderson's Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1904 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1905 Anderson's Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1905 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1906 Anderson's Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1906 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1907 Anderson's Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1907 Morris St Braybrook North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1908 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1908 Morris St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1909 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1909 Morris St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1910 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1910 Morris St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1911 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory
1911 Morris St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1912 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1912 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1913 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1913 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1914 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1914 Andersons Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1915 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1915 Andersons Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1916 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1916 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1917 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1917 Andersons Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1918 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1918 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1919 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund Henry

1919 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1921 Andersons Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Curled Hair Factory

1922 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1922 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1923 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1923 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1924 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1924 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1925 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1924 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1926 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1926 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1927 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1927 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1928 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1928 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1929 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1929 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1930 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1930 Andersons Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1931 41 Anderson Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1931 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1933 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1933 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1935 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1935 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1938 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1938 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1940 41 Anderson St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1940 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1942 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1942 41 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1945 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers

1945 17 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert

1948 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1948 7 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1948 17 Kingaroy St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund "Eddie" Francis

1950 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1950 St. Albans Parsons, Cyril Joseph
1950 33 Duke St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric
1950 7 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1950 17 Kingaroy St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund "Eddie" Francis

1955 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1955 33 Duke St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric
1955 41 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1955 15 Hampshire Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Cyril Joseph
1955 17 Kingaroy St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund "Eddie" Francis

1960 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1960 47 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1960 15 Hampshire Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Cyril Joseph
1960 17 Kingaroy St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Edmund "Eddie" Francis

1965 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1965 33 Duke St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric
1965 47 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1965 15 Hampshire Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Cyril Joseph

1970 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1970 47 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1970 15 Hampshire Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Cyril Joseph
1970 28 Matthews St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric

1974 Anderson Rd Braybrook West Side Parsons & Lewis - Horsehair Drawers & Curlers
1974 47 Graham St Sunshine West Side Parsons, Joseph Robert
1974 15 Hampshire Rd Sunshine West Side Parsons, Cyril Joseph
1974 28 Matthews St Sunshine North Side Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric

Ref: S&DHS (Cat No 141)

Ref: Sands & McDougall Directories

Photos: S&DHS