Edward John Stephens

  General Notes:

Edward went to WA in 1898 aged 27 years. He was a Blacksmith, like his father, and worked for Martin Peterson, a blacksmith like himself who had a business called Martin Petersen & Co . Here he met his future wife Janet Peterson. In 1903 he founded E & W Stephens with his younger brother William at 115 Oxford Street, Leederville, diagonally opposite the Leederville Hotel. Work progressed in the building of milk carts, bread carts and icecream carts until motor vehicles began to arrive. The bare chassis would be driven out to the premises where bodies would be constructed onto the chassis. About 1926 the business was successful in securing the tender to build all truck bodies for Winterbottoms, these had previously been built by Bolton's Body Builders of Sutherland Street, West Perth. These trucks were named Graham Brothers, for whom Winterbottoms were the agents.
Many more men were now employed at this time because of the increase in trade, and as there was still a lot of work with horse shoeing and horse drawn vehicles, that side of the business carried on with George Robertson, Len?, and Cliff Severin. (Cliff later became involved in petrol bowser installations and maintenance and became very successful). During the latter part of 1927 Edward became ill and died in early 1928. William was unwilling to carry on the business and sold it to Alex McKenzie who only carried on the Blacksmith and Farrier. The premises were later sold in 1938 to a Mr. Fry who had in the meantime built premises next door known as W.A. Produce Store.

  Noted events in his life were:

• connection.

• Birth Certificate: (25548).

Edward married Janet Isabella Peterson on 25 Jun 1902 in Perth, Western Australia. (Janet Isabella Peterson was born about 1882, died on 7 Feb 1938 and was buried in Karrakatta, Perth, Western Australia.)