Actions

Joseph Eales

Authority control:Wikidata:

Joseph Herbert Eales (1864–1957) was born in Devon, moving to Melbourne in 1887, and in 1897 to WA, where he worked with C.L. Oldham on the prize-winning Fremantle Markets. designed the tramways barn at 1 High Street and redesigned the Esplanade Hotel in 1903, adding the turret. He also designed the Terminus Hotel, 1897, and additions to the Catholic girls school (no longer extant in Adelaide Street) and to the Federal Hotel. For the Anglicans he designed St Paul's Beaconsfield. A Fremantle City Library page at 725.4 suggests that he also designed the Detmold building (also known as the Spicer building) in William Street – and a horse trough - presumably the one in Phillimore Street. Eales & Cohen designed the Swan Hotel, 1923.

Joseph Eales married Mabel Hannah Lilly in 1908. She was the daughter of James Lilly and was born 1872.

Some of his buildings

markets

Fremantle Markets

stpauls

St Paul's, Beaconsfield

esplanade

Esplanade Hotel with Eales's turret

owston

Terminus Hotel, Pakenham Street

barn

Tram Barn, 1 High Street

 

Battye, 1912-1913

J. HERBERT EALES, J.P., F.W.A.I.A., is the son of the late Mr. Joseph Eales , a scion of one of the old Devonshire County families who for centuries have made their home among the picturesque hills and vales which have inspired the brush of many an artist lover of quiet beauty. Born at Exmouth, in Devon, on October 19, 1864, the subject of our notice, upon concluding his education at Totnes Grammar School, made choice of architecture as a profession, and entered into articles with Mr. E. H. Harbottle, F.R.I.B.A., one of the foremost architects in the English provinces. Having completed his indentures he continued for two years with that gentleman; during which period he gained valuable and extended experience in church restoration work and the erection of certain important buildings which have linked Mr. Harbottle's name with architectural fame. Subsequently Mr. Eales spent considerable time in the study of his special branch of art and in sketching on the Continent, finally deciding to come to Australia in 1887. He first joined the Civil Service in Melbourne as draughtsman, afterwards resigning to accept a post as chiel draughtsman in one of the leading offices in that city. At the termination of the great land boom he established himself  in practice at Ballarat, Victoria, and succeeded in winning an excellent reputation for himself both there and in the western districts of the State. In 1897, attracted by the glowing reports of the Golden West, he set sail for Fremantle, and upon arrival started professional practice at the Port, where he soon made his way to the front ranks in his line of art. Some nine years later he still further increased his connection by removing to the capital, and steadily holds his place in popular favour at the present time. While responsible for many city structures designed for commercial purposes, Mr. Eales has specialized in designs for hotels and the fine comfortable homesteads, farm buildings, and shearing-sheds which mark the growth of prosperity on the large pastoral areas of the State, and his name is well known among all sections of the public and private community. Apart from his profession he is one of the best amateur musicians in Western Australia, having acquired the technique of three instruments, and has held prominent positions in the musical world of the Commonwealth. He held the post of organist both at St. Augustine's and St. Peter's Churches in Melbourne, and was organist at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at Fremantle for five years, this church having long been famous for its fine musical service. He also designed and presided over the finest organ built in the State, viz., for the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Perth; but latterly pressure of business has set limits to his indulgence in this elevating art. In the realms of sport his forte is rifle-shooting, and he is known all over the Commonwealth in this connection as a member for nine years of the Victorian Interstate team of riflemen and Queen's prizeman in 1890. He also held a commission in the defence forces in Victoria for twelve years, retiring with the rank of Captain upon his departure for Western Australia. A Sitting Master of the St. George Lodge of Freemasons, he has been Grand Organist for two years, and takes the keenest interest in all matters pertaining to the craft. For recreation he resorts to the golf links in winter and the bowling greens in summer and is a well-known exponent of both games; while as a billiardist he has been called upon to play for his club against most of the visiting English professionals. Mr. Eales is on the Council of the Institute of Architects and is a past Vice-President. He married in 1908 Mabel Hannah, daughter of the late Mr. James Lilly, of Fremantle.

References and Links

Battye, J.S. 1912-13, The Cyclopedia of Western Australia, Cyclopedia Co., Perth.

Joseph Herbert Eales entry at architecture.com.au 

Freotopia

This page incorporates material from Garry Gillard's Freotopia website, that he started in 2014 and the contents of which he donated to Wikimedia Australia in 2024. The content was originally created on 23 August, 2016 and hosted at freotopia.org/people/eales.html (it was last updated on 29 May, 2024), and has been edited since it was imported here (see page history). The donated data is also preserved in the Internet Archive's collection.