SOLOMON, Emanuel 1800 - 03 October 1873 in Adelaide, SA
Born London, England Occupations of Auctioneer, Ship Owner and MP Resided Adelaide and College Park Buried West Terrace Cemetery Jewish Section Row J site 1
THE LATE MR. E. SOLOMON. We have to record the death of another of our very early colonists. Mr. E. Solomon expired on Friday, October 3, at his residence, Franklin-street west, at the advanced age of 73 1/2 years. The event is more to be deplored than wondered at, the deceased having been for several months confined to his bed. Mr. Solomon was an Australian colonist of 57 years, and arrived in Adelaide from Sydney in 1837. He commenced business as a merchant and shipowner, and for many years entirely supported the trade between New South Wales and South Australia. During the panic that existed from 1840 to 1842 he was one of the few merchants who stood their ground in the colony, and passed safely through the crisis. In 1840 the Theatre which he had built in Gilles arcade was opened, and Mr. Solomon brought over a company from Sydney, under the management of Mr. Lazar, to perform there, and for many years expended large sums of money without any adequate return in the encouragement of the drama. He was one of the promoters of the Burra Mine, but sold out his interest in consequence of his objecting on principle to a paid servant of the Company being on the Directory. In 1847 his nephew, Mr. J. M. Solomon, joined him in business as auctioneers, and the firm was carried on with great prosperity up till 1854, when Mr. J. M. Solomon left for England. In 1857 their fortunes were again united in connection with others for several years, when Mr. Emanuel Solomon resumed the position of merchant, and continued till 1870, when he retired from business. In February, 1853, he was elected member for West Adelaide in conjunction with Mr. J. C. Verco, and served till the dissolution of the House at the close of 1864. In August, 1867, he was returned to the Legislative Council, but resigned his seat in September, 1871, in consequence of continued bad health. Mr. Solomon met with a severe accident in 1866 through being knocked down by a vehicle, and never thoroughly recovered. At the commencement of 1870 he went with his family to Sydney, and he felt the benefit of his trip, but for several months he has been in a very weak condition, and a few weeks ago sustained a stroke of partial paralysis, since which time he has been gradually failing. Mr. Solomon had a great love for his adopted country, and displayed it in a very pleasing and truly liberal manner, by inviting in 1871, on the 35th anniversary of the foundation of the province, the pioneers of the colony to a grand banquet at the Town Hall— a reunion which was attended by several hundreds, and which we feel sure will long be remembered by those who were privileged to take part in it. Although Mr. Solomon as a politician was quite Conservative in his principles, he was by no means obstructive, but on many occasions advocated important reforms, particularly in the interests of the working classes, with whom he was a decided favourite. He was benevolent without being ostentatious, and cosmopolitan. without vacillating in his views as to questions of public policy or as affecting the best interests of the country. Mr. Solomon leaves a widow and seven children; those who are married are — Mr. Joseph Solomon, Mrs. S. I. Myers, of Sydney, Mrs. Joel Moss, and Mrs. V. V. Brown. There are a single daughter and two sons, the latter only being the result of his last marriage.
South Australian Register Saturday 04 October 1873 page 6