David James

David James (1854 – 21 July 1926) was an Australian politician who represented the South Australian House of Assembly multi-member seat of Wooroora from 1902 to 1918 for the Australasian National League and the Liberal Union. History James was born in Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, Wales, son of Rees James and his wife Mary, and worked in the coal-mines as a youth. In 1877, after the death of his father, he emigrated to South Australia with his mother, sister, and brothers Edward and Evan aboard Lochee, arriving in February 1877, and they settled in Kapunda. He worked in various areas of the country as a contractor, and while sinking dams on Mount Gipps sheep-station, he and his mate Jim Poole were persuaded to join Charles Rasp in pegging mineral claims on what would become Broken Hill, the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mine. Led by George McCulloch, the "Syndicate of Seven" pegged further claims in the area and formed the Broken Hill Mining Company, later to become Broken Hill Proprietary. James sold half his share for £110; another quarter for £1800, but his remaining quarter share would entitle him to 500 shares in BHP. He returned to Kapunda, and was elected to the city council, serving as mayor 1888–1889 and 1900–1905, electing to have his mayoral allowance directed to local charities. He built a residence in the township, then in 1895 he purchased from James White a property "Albert Vale" which he renamed "Coalbrook Vale", around two miles from Kapunda on the Eudunda road.