Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/447

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 421 The late Mr. Charles Drew HIGHLY respected by all who knew him was the late Mr. Charles Drew, who, both in religious matters and in local business circles, was a moving spirit. During many years he was an indefatigable member of the W'esleyan Church. He was born at Stoke-under-Ham, -Somersetshire, England, on January 28, 1836, and he arrived in South Australia in 1854. Not- withstanding the better-advertised attractions of the 'ictorian gold- fields, the famous copper mines of the Burra Burra were at that time still drawing numerous new arrivals to the inland town that had sprung up since the discovery of rich copper deposits there some ten years before. iMr. Charles Drew- proceeded tf) the Burra, impelled thitherwards by the fact that his brother, Mr. Samuel Drew, was already there. He joined his brother in business as general storekeepers, and the busi- ness eventually became very large and prosperous, with extensive connections throughout the sur- rounding parts of the country. A general storekeeper's trade in the country in those days was generally sure to thrive under good manage- ment, but that of Samuel Drew and Co. forged ahead of all local competitors. Bond & Co., Photo In 1865, Mr. Charles Drew, in company with his brother John, went to Moonta to open in business. Here, as in the Burra, the copper mines had attracted, and were attracting, a substantial population. The Moonta store was established at the right time, and the Messrs. Drew rapidly became the chief business men in the town. They were esteemed, not only tor their integrity in busine.ss, but also for their services in oth(r matters of general moment. Mr. Charles Drew entered the first municipal council, and had the well-deserved distinction of being the first mayor of the town. In the Burra he had evinced a lively interest in public affairs, and assistance such as he tendered there was as willingly offered in Moonta. In both places he was a very active member of the Wesleyan Church, which he served in