George Scarfe
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George Scarfe | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1826 Plymouth, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | 14 April 1903 |
| Occupation | Merchant |
| Known for | Co-founder of Harris Scarfe with George P. Harris (as George P. Harris, Scarfe and Co.) |
| Family | George P. Harris (brother) |
George Scarfe (c. 1826 – 14 April 1903) was an English-born merchant in Adelaide, South Australia, a partner in the firm of George P. Harris, Scarfe, & Co., later known as Harris Scarfe. Scarfe was called a "genius of commerce",[1] he was largely credited with the firm's early success and gained great personal wealth. His brother T. R. Scarfe (1843–1915), nephew F. G. Scarfe (1867–1961) and Frederick George's son-in-law C. C. Deeley were prominent in the 20th century development of the company.
Scarfe first arrived in South Australia in February 1849 aboard Candahar from Plymouth, English presumably to assess the business opportunities in the new British colony. John C. Lanyon and George P. Harris, who were in business together, were fellow-passengers,[2] but it is not known whether he was then an associate. Scarfe returned to Britain at some not-too-distant date, perhaps as their London agent, as he was back at Port Adelaide aboard Frances Henty in July 1853.
He was soon employed by Lanyon & Harris at 43 Hindley Street, but in what capacity and for how long is not clear. Lanyon, the founder, left in February 1855,[3] and Harris ran the business as George P. Harris & Co. for some years. By January 1856 Scarfe had started a grocery business at Port Adelaide.[4] He established a domestic hardware store Scarfe & Burden at Kadina in 1861, and sold his share to Robert Burden in October 1866.[5] Scarfe also assisted his brothers Alfred and Augustus to establish the firm of ironmongers A & A. T. Scarfe at the Port, from which George Scarfe bowed out in December 1866.[6] Scarfe's involvement with Harris during this time is not clear but may have been extensive.
Around 1864 Harris began establishing a store at 58-60 Gawler Place (later Allan's building, currently Allans Billy Hyde), leaving Scotsman William Fraser to run the Hindley Street establishment with Scarfe as assistant, then as partnership Scarfe & Fraser. They began selling off their stock at a discount over six months in 1866, giving early termination of the lease as the reason. That partnership was dissolved in August 1866, and Harris, who had been a silent partner,[7] founded George P. Harris, Scarfe, & Co. in December 1866[8] at Gawler Place; and in 1869 adding their salesman Richard Smith as partner and managing director.
Scarfe was preeminently a business man, upright and diligent, regarded as one of the best and truest of Adelaide's merchants, fair and just and approachable by the humblest employee.[9] He lived an exceedingly quiet life, shunning publicity, and despite his position and influence, refused to talk about himself. His whole life was wrapped up in his business and his home, and his success can be as much attributed to his single-mindedness as to the business acumen. He was not much given to delegation, rather a believer in the motto "If you want a job done well you must do it yourself." He kept current with every aspect of the business, and personally attended to customers' requirements as much as was humanly possible. As prosperity came to the colony (and for a time South Australia was the wealthiest in the British Empire) rivals became numerous and competition fierce, but the firm more than held its own, thanks largely to his industry and business sense.
He lived alone as a guest of the elegant York Hotel, corner of Rundle and Pulteney streets, until around 1880 when he purchased the large property near Stonyfell and Burnside, named "Wattle Park", where he took a keen interest in his orchard and flower beds.[9] He enjoyed vigorous good health, and never missed a day's work until the last year of his life, when in February 1903 it began to break down, and he took to his bed. For the first time in his working life he was not the first to arrive and the last to leave. He recovered somewhat, and was back in action around 1 April 1903, but a week or so later declined rapidly and died at his home, attended by Dr. J. C. Verco.[10]
His remains were interred in the Scarfe family vault, North Road Cemetery.
Other business interests
Scarfe played no part in public affairs, but was involved in other commercial interests. He was a director of:
