Page:Notable South Australians.djvu/290

 John Stokes Bagshaw, ORN at Chetwynd, Shropshire, in 1808. He early evinced mechanical tastes, and was apprenticed to the millwright and engineering business, learning these trades in all their branches. He arrived in this colony in June 1838, in the ship "Eden," and settled down in the western part of what was then but a primitive settlement. He at first engaged in work uncongenial to his tastes, but ultimately established himself in what has since proved a remunerative and prosperous business, viz., the construction of agricultural and other implements. His works, which are known by the appropriate name of "Pioneer," have gradually grown with the colony, and are kept constantly at work in the construction of machinery for mills, horse-works, and threshing machines, chaff-cutters, winnowers, etc. The latter, which are in general request in the agricultural districts of South Australia^ are a speciality with Mr. Bagshaw, who spent much time and labour ere they reached the perfection they have now attained. These implements are widely used on account of their utility and durability, and have often served as models for other makers. Mr. Bagshaw's elevators and baggers attached to winnowers are most substantial articles. The Ridley Reaper, which did such good service in the early times, the name of which has become a "household word" here, owes much of ii» success to the exertions of Mr. Bagshaw, who was one of the first makers of the patterns for it, and has constructed several of these useful adjuncts to the farmer's homestead. In the evening of his busy life it must be a great satisfaction to him to know that he has three sons able to continue the work he has earnestly followed in spite of vicissitudes and ups and downs. Mr. Bagshaw is one of the founders of the Ancient London Order of Oddfellows in South Australia, and also holds several honorary offices in other societies. He was elected to the Adelaide Municipal Council in 1870, as member for Gawler Ward, which he represented for about