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John Chapman (1839–1927)

This entry is from Obituaries Australia

Mr. John Chapman, one of the first to be identified with the trades union movement in South Australia, died at his residence, Whitmore-square, on Friday, at the age of 89. He was also a pioneer of the eight hours movement. Born at the village of Airth, near Stirling, Scotland, he arrived in the state in the ship Clara in 1865, and followed his trade as a stonemason for some years, afterwards becoming a contractor and builder, both in this State and in Western Australia. Later he acquired the South Australian firebrick works at Littlehampton, and after managing this business for about 20 years he retired in 1915. More than fifty years ago, when Mr. Chapman was a member of the United Tradesmen's Union, which embraced employes in all the building trades, the matter of reduced hours was discussed. In those days building employes were working ten hours a day for half the year and nine and a half hours during the remainder. The pay was 8/6 per day, and as the conditions were better and the pay higher in Melbourne, where the eight hours principle had been brought into operation, it was decided to try it in this State. The first step in this direction was taken by a deputation, comprising Messrs. Chapman, G. Thompson, and Raffin, who waited on about 73 employers. Later men at Port Adelaide took up the scheme, but it was working there before it was adopted in Adelaide. The following year 48 hours became general among workers, and the agreement was signed by two representatives of employers and employes, of whom Mr. Chapman was one. Mr. Chapman, who lived in Whitmore-square for many years, left one son and three daughters. His wife died eight years ago.

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Citation details

'Chapman, John (1839–1927)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/chapman-john-33323/text41587, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1839
Slamannan, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Death

25 November, 1927 (aged ~ 88)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Cause of Death

cancer (jaw)

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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