Ipswich Libraries

Mr Isaac Ham of Ipswich

Isaac Ham was a very civic-minded person. He became Mayor of Ipswich in 1905, serving as alderman from 1903-1906. In 1914 he was elected again and served until 1920.

Isaac Ham, Mayor, 1905, Ipswich, n.d.

Isaac Ham, Mayor, 1905, Ipswich, n.d.

Isaac served as a magistrate in the Ipswich Police Court sitting on the bench to grant slaughtering or auctioneer’s licenses, and to hear charges of vagrancy, drunkenness, manslaughter and claims of debt. As a magistrate Ham would have commanded a fair amount of power and respect in the community.

Arriving in Moreton Bay on the steamship Duke of Buckingham on 1st January 1886 with his wife Sarah, brother William and brother-in-law Joseph Hodgson they immediately travelled to Ipswich to start their new lives in Australia. Initially Ham worked with Hodgson in the mines to make a living. It was while he was employed at the old Mihi Colliery that he was injured and as a result sought employment elsewhere following his recovery. Making a radical break from mining Ham and a brother purchased Tallon’s Bakery in Terrace Street, North Ipswich from G. Spresser in 1889 only to sell the business a few months later after his brother and partner’s death.

In 1890 Isaac purchased W. A. Hastie’s pastry & confectionery business Ipswich Coffee Palace in Nicholas Street (next to James McGill & Co. – Ironmongers) and became a long-term and successful local businessman. The café advertised sales of fancy cakes, chocolates, soda squashes, wedding cakes and hot dinners with seasonal shortbread, lolly stockings & Christmas cakes. They also catered for luncheons and weddings including dinners at the Masonic Lodge and official luncheons for dignitaries visiting Ipswich City Council. As proprietor of Ipswich Coffee Palace and through his aldermanic duties, Ham’s name became very well known in Ipswich and surrounds. It was not until 1919 that Isaac sold this business to Norman Hooper.

Corner Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, Ipswich, postcard, 1905?

Corner Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, Ipswich, postcard, 1905?

Ham’s business interests also incorporated oil drilling. He was a director of Glenalvon Ltd. a company that was boring for oil at the company’s property at Glenalvon near Rosewood in 1909.

Isaac Ham’s life of service included membership at various times of numerous community clubs and organisations in Ipswich, often as an office-bearer:

  • “Brother” Ham was also president of the Masonic Lodge in Nicholas Street in 1903.
  • District Grand Master Depute of the Scottish Constitution of Freemasons in Queensland
  • Member of the Chamber of Commerce,  Methodist Church in Ellenborough Street, Independent Order of Rechabites, Queensland Pastoral & Agricultural Association, Ipswich School of Arts, Ipswich & West Moreton Agricultural & Horticultural Society
  • Master and Grand Master Deputy of the Caledonian Lodge
  • Vice President of Ipswich branch of the Royal Society of St George

Apart from public service, and his business interests Ham bred and exhibited fox terriers and cocker spaniels. Fox Terriers  Surrexdale Judy and  Glendon Duke were champions as was cocker spaniel Ipswich Beauty. In later life he judged dog shows and was associated with the West Moreton Kennel Club and Kennel Association of Queensland.

Although not born in Ipswich, Isaac Ham was a pillar of the community during the many years of his residence. He lived at Surrexdale in South Street, and Glenalvon (a jersey stud) at Mt Walker.   When Isaac died at the age of 84 in August 1941 flags at the town hall and Memorial Hall were flown at half-mast in respect. He was buried in the Ipswich Cemetery.

Information taken from :

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 25 July 1889, p.1.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 5 November 1889, p.1.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 13 May 1890, p.4.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 12 March 1938, p.?

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 19 February 1887, p.2.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 14 October 1899, p.4.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 17 December 1903, p.11.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 22 December 1906, p.12.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 19 December 1908, p.2.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 1 August 1903, p.4.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 4 October 1904, p.7.

Queensland Times, 10 May 1919, p.6.

Queensland Times, 11 June 1915, p.7.

Queensland Times, 2 July 1914, p.4.

Queensland Times, 20 February 1909, p.9.

Queensland Times, 19 August 1941, p.2.

Queensland Times, 20 August 1941, p.4.

 

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