David Beath

David  Beath (portrait) David Beath (young)M David BEATH b.29.4.1835 DavidBeath-d.1923Kew

• Death Notes

  Obituary - THE DEATH OF MR. DAVID BEATH
  Link With Early Melbourne Broken.
  The death occurred on Monday at his residence, Ardock, Dandenong road, East St. Kilda, of Mr. David Beath, who was an important figure in the business life of Melbourne in the early days and until a few years ago, was actively associated with the commercial house of Beath, Schiess, and Felstead Ltd., of Flinders lane.   He was in his 80th year.
  Mr. Beath was born in 1835 at Leslie, Fifeshire, Scotland, where his father, Mr. D. L. Beath, was inspector of the poor. At the age of 14 years he went to Edinburgh and entered the service of Messrs. Murray and Logan, writers to the signet, his intention at that time being to study law. The strain of long hours telling upon his health, he decided, after four years, to abandon law, and he accordingly took a commercial position in the leading busi- ness house in Manchester. An opportunity arising, he came to Australia, where he landed in September, 1858. A business partnership in Geelong lasted for only about six months, at the end of which time he came to Melbourne with the in- tention of setting up in business on his own account. He lived first in Fitzroy street, St. Kilda, and in later years used to tell how he walked to the city each morning, scrambling over gullies on the way. He entered the office of Messrs. Lang-   lands, Buick, and Co., a large importing firm, which was later divided, Mr. Beath and two partners taking over one portion which became known as Pyne, Harrison, Beath,   and Co. This was in 1861, and two years later the firm had branches in Christ- church and Dunedin, New Zealand. With the subsequent separation of the New Zealand branch from the parent firm, the Melbourne house took the name of Pyne, Beath, and Co. In 1868 Mr Schiess came from England, and the firm was then called   Beath, Schiess, and Co., Mr. Pyne having died in the meantime. It was not until   some years later that Mr. Felstead became associated with the firm, which was finally floated into a limited company in 1912. During all these years the hand of Mr. Beath had controlled the firm, and he remained an active member until he entered upon his 80th year.
  In 1863 Mr. Beath married the daughter of Mr. W. H. Bowden of Barwon Banks, Geelong. Mr. and Mrs. Beath cclebrated the diamond anniversary of their wedding on April 14 last. During his lifetime Mr. Beath was actively associated with Church work, and soon after he settled at St. Kilda became a member of what was then known     as the Iron Church. He was associated with the Young Men's Christian Association since its inception in Victoria, and was president of that institution for two   years. With the late Sir Matthew Davies he formed the Boys' Brigade. He was one of the first chairmen of the Royal       Bank, and was also a trustee of the Savings   Bank. Mr. Beath and Mr. James Munro   established the Victoria Coffee Palace and the Grand Hotel, in Spring street,   now the Hotel Windsor. Mr. Beath was a member of several Royal commissions, though he never sought to enter political life.
  Mr. Beath leaves a widow, five daughters, and one son. The daughters are Mrs. Elder, of Rookwood; Mrs. J. B. Nicholson, of Sydney; Mrs. L. E. Clarke, who is a missionary in British East Africa; 
  Miss Frances Beath, who is also a missionary, in India; and Miss Mabel Beath, who lives with her mother. The surviving son is Dr. Leslie Beath, who was educated at Caulfield Grammar School, and is now practising at Bath, England.   
  The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Boroondara Cemtery, Kew.
  DEATH OF MR. DAVID BEATH. (1923, August 22). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 19. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2006186