James Telfer (1829-1913)

Born: 12 August 1829, Roxburghshire, Scotland (Hermitage Castle area) | Died: 6 July 1913, Cliffside, Port Lincoln SA | Mother: Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) | Father: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Occupation: Station Manager, Koppio Station, Eyre Peninsula SA | Arrived: September 1854 aboard the "Bernicia"

> Portrait of James Telfer, circa 1870. State Library of South Australia B 8505/5E.
> Source: SLSA Portrait Collection — accessed 25 May 2026

Family

| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | James Telfer (1796–1863) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) |
| Spouse | Janet Welsh (married 6 November 1855, Adelaide SA) |
| Brother | Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925) |
| Brother | John Telfer (ca 1840-1913) |
| Brother | Robert Telfer (1837-1907) |
| Sister | Elizabeth "Betty" Beattie Telfer (1832-1896) m. John Charles Dillon |
| Daughter | Mrs. G. W. H. Warnock |
| Son | James Telfer (1858-1944) — manager of Koppio Station |
| Son | John Telfer (born ca 1861) |
| Son | Robert Telfer (born ca 1869) — of Koppio SA |
| Son | Adam Telfer — of Streaky Bay SA |

Life Summary

James Telfer was born in 1829 at Hermitage Castle, Roxburghshire, Scotland, the son of James Telfer (1796-1863) and Elizabeth Beattie. He emigrated to South Australia, arriving in September 1854 aboard the ship "Bernicia".

He married Janet Welsh on 6 November 1855 in Adelaide. James managed Koppio Station on Eyre Peninsula for approximately 30 years on behalf of Hawker & Briggs. He was one of the oldest residents of the west coast at the time of his death.

James died on 6 July 1913 at "Cliffside", Port Lincoln, South Australia, at the age of 84. He was survived by four sons and one daughter, and 20 grandchildren. Janet Welsh had predeceased him on 14 January 1885 at age 59.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1829 | Born at Hermitage Castle, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| Sep 1854 | Arrived South Australia aboard the "Bernicia" |
| 6 Nov 1855 | Married Janet Welsh, Adelaide SA |
| ca 1858-1888 | Managed Koppio Station, Eyre Peninsula for Hawker & Briggs |
| 14 Jan 1885 | Death of wife Janet Welsh, aged 59 |
| 6 Jul 1913 | Died at Cliffside, Port Lincoln SA |

Notes

• Date discrepancy: Genealogy book says 1829-1914; Trove obituary says died 6 Jul 1913. FindAGrave inscription also confirms 1913. Prefer 1913 from primary source (Trove).


• Burial: Likely Happy Valley Cemetery, Port Lincoln SA (Janet Welsh also buried there based on inscription transcription)


• SLSA portrait: Photograph held at State Library of South Australia, reference B 8505/5E, described as "James Telfer, 1829-1913, arrived in South Australia in September 1854 on board a ship. Manager, Koppio station." — dated approximately 1870


• Koppio Station: Located on Eyre Peninsula, owned by George Hawker and later Hawker & Briggs

Sources

Trove — Observer, 19 Jul 1913: "The death occurred at Cliffside, Port Lincoln, on July 6, of Mr. James Telfer, one of the oldest residents of the west coast. He was born at Hermitage Castle... He arrived in SA on the Bernicia in 1854..." — Trove Article 163105669 — accessed 25 May 2026

State Library of South Australia: Portrait B 8505/5E — James Telfer, 1829-1913 — SLSA Catalogue — accessed 25 May 2026

southaustralianhistory.com.au: Koppio page — James Telfer manager for 30 years — SA History — accessed 25 May 2026

RootsWeb database: James Telfer (12 Aug 1829-6 Jul 1913) m. Janet Welsh (ca1826-14 Jan 1885) — accessed 25 May 2026

FamilySearch: James Telfer (1829-1913) — KDBV-SG2 — accessed 25 May 2026

Links

• James Telfer (1796–1863)


• Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925)


• Francis Telfer (1809–1895)