JACOBS, Samuel Joshua (1853-1937)

Modified on Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:58 by Con — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - Collegians in the News 1861-1910, Biography - Students, Geelong College, Biography of Business and Entrepeneurship

JACOBS, Samuel Joshua (1853-1937)

Samuel Joshua Jacobs, lawyer, businessman and brewer, was the son of a South Australian storekeeper, Charles Jacobs and Elizabeth nee Joshua, who claimed their marriage in 1844 as the first Jewish marriage recorded in South Australia. Charles Jacobs became a successful sugar importer and Samuel, after a brief legal career, joined his father’s company in 1884. An original shareholder of the South Australian Brewing Company he gained control of that company which then formed the foundation of his business success during his lifetime. Samuel attended the Geelong College from 1869 until 1870 becoming dux in his final year. His brothers John (1875-1930), and Frederick William also attended the School.

A respected community member, he was at various times President of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce and of the Associated Chamber of Commerce of Australia, Chairman of Adelaide University’s Finance Committee, a long serving committee member of the South Australian Jockey Club, Chairman of the Tattersall’s Club and of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Sources: S J Jacobs, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 9, Melbourne University Press, 1983 pp 461-2.