Henry Wills Rischbieth

Henry Wills Rischbieth (26 January 1870, Glenelg, South Australia – 27 March 1925, London, England) was a prominent[1] Australian grazier and wool merchant, described as "one of Western Australia's best known and enterprising businessmen."[2]

He was the husband of Bessie Rischbieth, a South Australian feminist, social activist, and campaigner for women's rights.

Early life and education

Rischbieth was born in Glenelg in the colony of South Australia to Charles Rischbieth, a Hanover-born merchant and business leader, and Elizabeth Susan Wills. He studied at Prince Alfred College.[3]

A noted athlete in his youth, Rischbieth played Australian Rules Football for Norwood.[1][4] While in England, he also played rugby, representing the North of England in a match against Scotland.[5]

Career

Rischbieth learned the wool business during an extended visit to Bradford, England.[2] After returning to Australia, he moved to Western Australia in 1899,[6]:153 settled in Peppermint Grove, and built Henry Wills & Co., a large grazing and wool business.[7]:55 Rischbieth died in 1925 in London,[1] worth approximately 300,000 pounds.[3] He had been ill for some time and had sought medical treatment in Melbourne, Philadelphia, USA,[8] and finally England.[1]

Family

Rischbieth married Bessie Mabel Earle at the Wesleyan Church in Kent Town[9]:85 on 22 October 1898,[10]:319 who became a prominent social reformer and advocate for women's rights. The couple did not have children.[11]

His father was businessman and colonist Charles Rischbieth. His cousin Oswald Rishbeth was a pioneer of academic geography in Britain.

References
  1. "Death of Mr. H. W. Rischbieth: A Prominent Colonist", The West Australian, Sat 28 Mar 1925.
  2. "MR. H. W. RISCHBIETH: DEATH IN LONDON, PASSING OF A PROMINENT MAN", The Daily News, Fri 27 Mar 1925, p. 10
  3. "Obituary - Henry Wills Rischbieth". Obituaries Australia. 16 September 1925. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. Henry Wills (Harry) Roland Rischbieth, Redlegs Museum: History of the Norwood Football Club, 2016.
  5. "Mr. Rischbieth Dead: A Public-spirited Citizen", Western Mail, Thu 2 Apr 1925, p. 16.
  6. Erickson, Dorothy, "Gold & Silversmithing in Western Australia: A History", UWA Publishing 2010.
  7. Firkins, Peter C., "A History of commerce and industry in Western Australia", University of Western Australia Press for the Education Committee of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations, 1979.
  8. "The Late Mr. Henry W. Rischbieth", The Dawn, Thu 16 Apr 1925., p. 1.
  9. Australian Cultural History, Issue 23, Australian Academy of the Humanities and the History of Ideas Unit, ANU, 2004.
  10. Bevege, Margaret, Margaret James, and Carmel Shute, "Worth her salt: women at work in Australia", Hale & Iremonger, 1982.
  11. June Ogilvie, Westralian Portraits, edited by L. Hunt 1979 pp 214-21.
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