James Colley (abt. 1861 - 1920)

Ancestors

Husband of Mabel Louisa (Scougall) Colley — married 16 May 1896 in Taree, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 8 Mar 1920 at about age 59 in Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

James was born about 1861. He passed away in 1920. ^[1][2]

He married Mabel^[3]Their children:

• NSW Birth Registration COLLEY ALEXANDER G 26615/1909 JAMES, MABEL LLITHGOW
• NSW Birth Registration: COLLEY DOROTHY V 21013/1897 JAMES, MABEL L, COONAMBLE

Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser (NSW : 1863 - 1947), Wednesday 10 March 1920, page 2. ^[4] HE LATE MR. JAMES COLLEY. It was with widespread regret the sad news spread on Monday through out this district of the death of Mr. James Colley, of Lithgow, where he has been the Manager of the Commercial Bank for a number of years, and one of the most prominent men in the district. Identified in a large degree in all that meant for patriotism, progress and commercial interest - and his death there will be deeply deplored. His illness was very sudden received at a political meet-ing he attended at which Mr. Holman was speaking for sitting on a draught he caught a chill which in the development of the illness that followed ended in double pneumonia in spite of all that local medical skill could do. Dr. Rennie brought from Sydney in consultation on Sunday pronounced the case as hopeless and at 10 a.m. the next day death took place. The late Mr. Colley, whose age was only 58, was the dearly loved brother of Mrs. Wells and the Misses Colley of "Lerida" and "The Hill," Kiama and in their great sorrow they have the heartfelt sympathy of a wide circles of friends. Many of them identified with the earlier days of the district, when their father the late Jas. Colley, the first Mayor of Kiama, took an active part in the district affairs and was as widely loved and respected as he was known. The late Mr. Jas. Colley was a worthy son and namesake of his father and the old tradition.s and associations of the district were ever dear to his heart. and often the wish was openly expressed that the eventide of life for him would be spent in the old home town of his boyhood's memories - a wish that has been denied realisation. A most attractive personality was his and a mentality that made him a power to be felt wherever his lot was cast. His business acumen supported by a geniality and charm of manner that could not be withstood, fitted him for one of the most important positions in the service of the Commercial Bank, and in this relation his death will also be greatly regretted. He was one of nature's gentlemen in heart and manner - his courtesy alike to rich and poor, and his kindly assistance, ready sympathy and practical help was never wanting, when occasion demanded it should be given. During the war having no son to send, he gave yeoman service, with Mrs. and Miss Colley. in every department of war work in which he could help, and the record was one of which any man could be justly proud. He worked well for his day and generation, and it is safe to say, had he entered public life would have gained honour and prominence in it through the gifts by which nature endowed him. and the knowledge gained in a wide field of literature and study in the world's affairs. Honour and respect perhaps, in as great a degree will cling to his memory, and the years hold in remembrance, the manner of man he was and the example set in the finer things of life for with a clean heart, generous spirit and noble mind was his way through life taken. Missed as he will be in pubic affairs, the greatest blank left by his death will be in the home circle of which he was the beloved head. Loving companion and good comrade as well as devoted husband and father, his loss to those so near and dear to him in wife and daughter and growing son, is sad indeed to think of. To them the deepest sympathy is extended. in the heart-breaking grief that is theirs. To-day his body is brought back to Kiama by the 12 train, and from the station the coffin will be taken to the Church, wherein he worshipped as a lad and where the associations of his people are so strong. There a short service will be held and the funeral will then leave for the family enclosure at North Kiama cemetery, where the interment will take place.

Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Wednesday 10 March 1920, page 2. ^[5] FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. COLLEY. The remains of the late Mr. James Colley were removed, from his late residence, Commercial Bank, to Lithgow railway station, for entrainment en route to Kiama. (where they will be interred) yesterday afternoon. Owing to the short distance between the bank and the station, the large number who desired to pay tribute to the worth of the deceased were placed at a disadvantage in that no regular form of procession could be organised. Mas-onic Lodge Independent, of which deceased was a member for 18 years, held a lodge of sorrow at 2. p.m., the lodge room being appro-priately draped — even to the vacant chair on the dais usually occupied by the late brother. Brethren of Lithgow Kilwinning, the Mark Lodge, and Royal Arch Chapter also joined in and a procession numbering over 80 walked to the bank. There it was met by over 100 returned soldiers, all the members of the re-patriation executive, and a large and representative gathering of citizens. At 2.40 the remains, enclosed in a handsome cedar silver-mounted casket, which was covered in beautiful wreaths, were moved to the station. The pall-bearers were Wor. Bros. C. H. Le Fevre, A. R. Williams, J. S Sutton, W. Moscrop, D. Brewster, and Mr. R. Clark (of the Presbyterian Church management committee). A short service was hold at the residence by the Rev. A. D. Robertson, in the presence of the family and a few close friends. The large gathering moved towards the station bare-headed, and remained so until the train bore away the remains of the deceased. Wreaths were forwarded by Lodges Independ-ent and Kilwinning, the bank staff; Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Association, Repatriation executive, Major Bracey and family, Dr. and Mrs. Hutley, Dr. and Mrs. Chapple, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. C. Burke, Mr. and. Mrs. H. L.. Meads, congregation of St. Mary's Presbyterian Church, Miss Underwood, Mrs. (Dr.) Gibbes, Mrs. J. G. Conen, directors of Lithgow Supply Co., Miss Daisy Scougall; Mr. and Mrs. Hayley, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Le Fevre, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Forrest, Mr. and Mrs. H. Nicholls, Lithgow Golf Club, Mr. and Mrs. Tartakover. Other wreaths have been sent on to Kiama by Lithgow friends. The interment will take place this afternoon in the Presbyterian cemetery at North Kiama. At the Council meeting on Monday night a motion conveying sympathy to the bereaved widow and family was passed, on the Mayor's initiative. At a well attended meeting of the R.S. and S.I.L. on Monday night it was decided that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs. Colley on the death of her husband, whom the soldiers described as a true friend.

Sources

1. ↑ NSW Death Registration: COLLEY JAMES 3845/1920 JAMES, MARGARET, LITHGOW
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48913275/james-colley: accessed 24 November 2022), memorial page for James Colley (1861–8 Mar 1920), Find a Grave Memorial ID 48913275, citing Kiama Cemetery, Kiama, Kiama Municipality, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Michelle L (contributor 50318008) .
3. ↑ NSW Marriage Registration: 3964/1896 COLLEY JAMES, SCOUGALL MABEL L, TAREE
4. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/104782573
5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218461114

• son's bio.
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