South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 23 December 1882, page 2


OBITUARY.

Death of MR. J. M. LINKLATER.— Another old colonist has passed over to the majority in the person of Mr. J. M. Linklater, J.P., a man who won the esteem and respect of

those who came in contact with him by his straightforwardness, integrity, and other sterling qualities. Mr. Linklater, who came of a family who had long been located in the Orkney Islands, arrived in the colony in the early part of 1840, and in conjunction with his brother-in-law, the late Mr. W. Flett, commenced business as grocers; in Currie-street, a few doors west of Light-square. It may be mentioned that Hindley and Currie streets west of Morphett-street were at that time the principal business parts of the city. As trade in a year or two trended eastward, Messrs Flett & Linklater removed to Hindley-street, a little east of Morphett-street, where they carried on business for some time ; but finding trade still pushing eastward they purchased a piece of vacant land near King William-street, and erected the shop at present occupied by Mr. Crawford, grocer. After the death of his partner, Mr. Linklater successfully carried the business on by himself and subsequently entered into squatting pursuits in the Fowler's Bay district His fortunes in this life, however, were somewhat chequered, and for some time he found pastoral enterprise anything but remunerative; but in the end a turn for the better came, and he realized handsome returns from his runs. As an instance of his rigid integrity, high conscientiousness, and true sense of honour, it may be mentioned that his first act so soon as fortune began to smile upon him was to pay in full all the creditors who some years before had accepted a composition and relieved him of liabilities which he had at the time found himself unable to meet. For this rare commercial generosity his creditors presented him with a handsome testimonial Mr. Linklater took a lively interest in political and municipal affairs, and some years ago was a Councillor in the City Corporation. Although he had little ambition to fill public positions his name stood high in popular estimation as a man of business, and- so far back as 1852 we find him holding the position of a Trustee of the Savings Bank, and later on that of a member of the Marine Board. He was also one of the founders of the South Australian Insurance Company, of which institution he was for some time a Director. Mr. Linklater had long been connected with Chalmers Church, and for a considerable time filled the position of elder, which office he held at the time of his decease. Latterly Mr. Linklater led a quiet, and retired life, his health having completely broken down. Two of his sons, William and Thomas, died in the prime of their manhood, the latter not many months ago ; but Mrs. Linklater and several children survive him. Of his daughters the eldest is married to Mr. W. Isbister. Mr. Linklater died at his residence, North Adelaide, on Sunday, aged 73. His remains were interred in the WestTerrace Cemetery on Tuesday, December 19. The hearse was followed by a large number of the deceased's friends, amongst whom were not a few old colonists. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. D. Paton, M.A., B.D. ; and at the grave we noticed Mr. Edwin Linklater (son of deceased), Mr. W. Isbister (son-in-law) and son, and a large number of leading colonists.