John Henry Chinner (30 June 1865 – 15 December 1933) was a South Australian artist, best known for his caricatures of prominent people.

History edit

Chinner was born in Brighton, South Australia, son of George Williams Chinner (c. 1824 – 27 May 1880), and his second wife Mary Chinner, née Edwards.

Chinner, pḕre, arrived in SA before 1847, had a drapery shop on Rundle Street. He married Caroline Bowen (c. 1831 – 29 April 1861) on 6 April 1849. By 1859 he was a Hindley Street publican, Mayor of Brighton in 1860 and longtime councillor. He married Mary Edwards on 8 September 1863.

In 1879 he was enrolled at Prince Alfred College as a boarder, and later was a prominent batsman in the annual cricket match against St Peter's College.[a]

This was the start of a lifelong commitment as an active member and finally president of the PAC Old Collegians' Association, longtime member of the College Committee and for 22 years the Council's Honorary Secretary.[1]

The family moved to Parkside around 1880 and Chinner became involved with the local church literary society, taught bible classes, and was promoted by Alfred Catt to Sunday school superintendent. His devout, methodical, serious nature and no-nonsense leadership style made the Parkside Wesleyan Methodist Sunday school an example that other churches sought to emulate.[1] His admiration for the Song of Australia as a National Anthem was tempered by Caroline Carleton's lack of reference to God, which Chinner made good with an additional verse:

There is a land, a morning land,
Which rose from nought at God's command,
Where peace and truth stand hand in hand;
Australia!
Lord, purge these shores suffused with light
From sins abhorrent to Thy sight,
Guard Thou with all Thy gracious might,
Australia! Australia! Australia![1]

 

His interest in caricature was first shown with contributions to the Literary Society's magazine, in which he published sketches of fellow-members, and it was not long before his work was to be seen in the pages of Quiz, The Bulletin and London Punch.[2] He was a Fellow of the South Australian Society of Arts, and was urged by H. P. Gill to make a profession of his hobby.[1]

Outside these interests he was an accountant — he was for 31 years Adelaide manager for the Atlas Insurance Company, retiring in January 1925.[3]

Notable Citizens edit

Chinner produced a series of around 250 caricatures between 1923 and 1928 for the Adelaide Saturday Journal,[4] No. 1 being of the South Australian Governor, Sir Tom Bridges.[5]

Many of these were also carried by sister-publications The Register and The Observer.

The last of the series may have been of Charles Bastard, lessee of Adelaide's City Baths.[6] Around 180 of these are listed below:

Name Relevant article Description Notes
  Chinner monograms This article
  Abe Shannon Abe Shannon pastoralist philanthropist
  Albert Ernest Clarkson H. L. Vosz glass merchant
  Albert James Hannan Albert James Hannan Crown Solicitor
  Alec Bagot Alec Bagot politician
  Alexander John McLachlan Alexander McLachlan
  Alexander Vigors Benson A. V. Benson Port Adelaide Racing Club
  Alfred Austin Lendon A. A. Lendon medico
  Alfred C. Minchin A. C. Minchin zoo director
  Alfred Edward Simpson Alfred Edward Simpson architect
  Alfred Jabez Roberts A. J. Roberts business, sport
  Alfred Norwood Day A. N. Day railways
  Alick J. Murray Alick J. Murray pastoralist
  Andrew Alexander Kirkpatrick Andrew Kirkpatrick
  Andrew Douglas Young Andrew Douglas Young stockbroker
  Angas Johnson Angas Johnson city health officer
  Archibald Thomas Strong Archibald Strong scholar, poet
  Arnold Edwin Victor Richardson A. E. V. Richardson
  Arthur Graham Rymill Arthur Graham Rymill
  Arthur Nutter Thomas A. Nutter Thomas
  Arthur V. Kewney Arthur V. Kewney Victoria Racing Club
  Benno Seppelt Benno Seppelt winemaker
  Albert Edwin Hamilton A. E. Hamilton accountant, rose fancier
  Bert Hinkler Bert Hinkler
  Brailsford Robertson Thorburn Brailsford Robertson Adelaide Uni
  Brian Wibberley Brian Wibberley Methodist
  Cecil Thomas Madigan Cecil Thomas Madigan
  Charles Bastard Charles Bastard manager, City Baths
  Charles Edward Goldsmith None[7] Savings bank
  Charles Edward Owen Smyth C. E. Owen Smyth
  Charles Fenner Charles Fenner technical education
  Charles Hawkes Todd Connor None[7] mill owner
  Charles Howard Angas Charles Howard Angas
  Charles Richmond Glover Charles Richmond Glover
  Clem Hill Clem Hill
  Coleman Phillipson Coleman Phillipson International Law
  Darnley Naylor Darnley Naylor
  David John Gordon David Gordon
  Donald Reid James Marshall & Co. merchant
  Douglas Mawson Douglas Mawson geologist
  E Harold Davies E. Harold Davies
  Ebenezer Daniel Hedley Virgo None[7] stockowners' representative
  Edgar John Field None[7] public servant
  Edgar Ravenswood Waite Edgar Ravenswood Waite
  Edward Allan Farquhar Edward Allan Farquhar
  Edward Erskine Cleland Edward Erskine Cleland lawyer
  Edward Henry Rennie Edward Rennie
  Edward Holdsworth Sugden Edward Holdsworth Sugden
  Edward Howard Bakewell E. H. Bakewell
  Edward Julius Edward Julius forestry
  Edward Lucas MLC Edward Lucas
  Edward S. Kiek Edward S. Kiek Congregationalist
  Edward Wheewall Holden Edward Holden
  Edwin Mitchell Smith Edwin Mitchell Smith surveyor-general
  Ernest Maurice Sabine None[7] police magistrate
  Ernest Pringle Ramsay Ernest Pringle Ramsay deputy postmaster-general
  Ferdinand Lucas Parker F. L. Parker parliamentary clerk
  Francis Villeneuve Smith Francis Smith
  Frank Lymer Gratton Frank Lymer Gratton 1000 voice choir conductor
  Frank Marlow Frank Marlow secretary football league
  Frank Moulden Frank Beaumont Moulden
  Frank Sandland Hone Frank Sandland Hone
  Frederic Wood Jones Frederic Wood Jones
  Frederick Allen Lakeman James Marshall & Co. merchant
  Frederick Charles Bevan Frederick Bevan Conservatorium
  Frederick George Scarfe George Scarfe of Harris, Scarfe & Co
  Frederick Taylor Whitington Fred T. Whitington
  Frederick William Birrell Frederick William Birrell
  Frederick William Bullock Frederick William Bullock
  Frederick William Richards Frederick William Richards
  George A. J. Webb George A. J. Webb
  George Brookman George Brookman
  George Davidson (minister) George Davidson Presbyterian
  George Edward Young George Edward Young
  George Frederick Claridge George Frederick Claridge home for incurables
  George Frederick Jenkins George Frederick Jenkins
  George Giffen George Giffen
  George Hubert Wilkins George Hubert Wilkins
  George McEwin George McEwin councillor
  George Richards Laffer George Richards Laffer
  Gordon Richardson Gordon Richardson
  Hans Heysen Hans Heysen
  Harold Edward Winterbottom Harold Edward Winterbottom Chamber of Manufactures
  Harold Gordon Darling Harold Gordon Darling
  Harold Jack Finnis Royal Agric. Soc.
  Harold Septimus Power Harold Septimus Power
  Harry Dove Young Harry Dove Young
  Henri Benedictus van Raalte H. van Raalte Art Gallery
  Henry Barwell Henry Barwell
  Henry Tassie MLC 01 Henry Tassie
  Henry Thomas (miller) Henry Thomas
  Herbert Allchurch police prosecutor
  Herbert Henry Ernest Russell OBE
  Herbert Mathew Hale museum
  Hermann Koeppen Wendt
  Horace Percy Beaver town clerk
  Immanuel Gotthold Reimann Immanuel Gotthold Reimann
  James Arthur Seymour Chalmer's church
  James Ashton James Ashton
  James Gartrell James Gartrell
  James Hall horse racing
  James Hay Gosse James Hay Gosse
  James Jelley James Jelley
  James Marshall James Marshall & Co.
  James McGuire (railways) James McGuire
  James Percy Morice clerk of parliament
  James Richard Fowler
  James Sadler
  James Walters Kitto deputy PMG
  James Wigham McGregor manufacturer
  John Baird, Lord Stonehaven John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven
  John Cowan MLC John Cowan
  John Frederick Bailey John Frederick Bailey
  John George Bice John George Bice
  John Gunn MHA John Gunn
  John Henry Chinner (this article) artist by his son
  John Lloyd Price John Lloyd Price
  John Marshall Reid
  John McInnes MHA John McInnes
  John Millard Dunn John Millard Dunn
  John Sincock govt reporting staff
  John Stoward Moyes John Stoward Moyes
  John Verran John Verran
  John White (South Australian painter) John White
  Joseph Verco Joseph Verco
  Josiah Symon Josiah Symon
  Julian Bickersteth Julian Bickersteth
  Kerr Grant Kerr Grant
  Lachlan McTaggart pastoralist
  Lancelot Stirling Lancelot Stirling
  Laurence Hotham Howie Laurence Hotham Howie
  Legh Winser Legh Winser
  Lennon Raws chamber of commerce
  Leslie Penfold-Hyland Leslie Penfold Hyland
  Leslie Salter dried fruits board
  Leslie Wilkie Leslie Wilkie
  Lewis Cohen (mayor) Lewis Cohen
  Lionel Gee mines department
  Lionel Laughton Hill Lionel Laughton Hill
  Lionel Lindsay Lionel Lindsay
  Malcolm McIntosh MHA Malcolm McIntosh
  Maxwell Gavin Anderson of Orient Line
  Mellis Napier Mellis Napier
  Napier Kyffin Birks Napier Kyffin Birks
  Noel Augustin Webb federal arbitration court
  Norman Jolly Norman Jolly
  Norman Murray Gladstone Gratton Scotch College
  Oscar Seppelt
  Oswald Vick Hoad military commander
  Owen Forbes Phillips Owen Phillips base commander Brig-Gen
  Owen Hindmarsh Stephens electoral college
  P. William Vaughan None[7] Commonwealth Bank aka Col. Vaughan
  Patrick McMahon Glynn Patrick McMahon Glynn
  Percy William Charlton Wise Percy W. Wise canon Wise
  Raymond Lionel Leane Raymond Lionel Leane
  Reginald Robert Stuckey under-treasurer
  Reginald Victor Wilson Reginald Victor Wilson
  Richard Butler MHA Richard Butler
  Richard Layton Butler Richard Layton Butler
  Richard William Bennett judge
  Robert Duncan
  Robert Hugh Crawford Robert Hugh Crawford
  Robert Scott Young Bank of Adelaide
  Robert William Chapman (engineer) Robert William Chapman
  Samuel Albert White Samuel Albert White
  Samuel Henry Prior Samuel Prior of The Bulletin
  Samuel James Mitchell Samuel James Mitchell
  Samuel Joshua Jacobs Samuel Joshua Jacobs
  Samuel Perry Samuel Perry
  Sid Torr racehorse owner
  Sidney Kidman Sidney Kidman
  Stanley Bruce Stanley Bruce
  Stanley Price Weir Stanley Price Weir
  Sydney Talbot Smith Sydney Talbot Smith
  Theodore George Bentley Osborn Theodore George Bentley Osborn
  Thomas Henry Jones Thomas Henry Jones
  Thomas Pascoe MLC Thomas Pascoe
  Thomas Payne Bellchambers naturalist
  Thomas Shuldham O'Halloran KC Thomas Shuldham O'Halloran KC
  Thomas Slaney Poole Thomas Slaney Poole
  Tom Bridges Tom Bridges
  Victor Ryan tourist bureau
  W. G. T. Goodman W. G. T. Goodman
  Wallace Bruce
  Wallace Sandford Wallace Sandford
  Walter Edwards Chinner of Wilkinson & Co
  Walter Ernest Rogers 01 auditor-general
  Walter Gill Walter Gill
  Walter Gordon Duncan Walter Gordon Duncan
  Whitmore Blake Carr Whitmore Blake Carr
  Will Ashton Will Ashton
  William Alfred Webb William Alfred Webb
  William Bennett (headmaster) William Bennett
  William Hague MHA William Hague
  William Henry Foote William Henry Foote
  William Henry Jeanes SA Cricket Assoc.
  William Herbert Phillipps William Herbert Phillipps
  William Hutchinson Robinson Methodist conference
  William Jethro Brown William Jethro Brown
  William John Colebatch Roseworthy College
  William John Hill both (Adel, Assoc) Chambers of Commerce
  William John Masson
  William John Warren State Bank
  William Joseph Denny William Joseph Denny
  William Mitchell (philosopher) William Mitchell
  William Percival Nicholls Pulteney Grammar
  William Ramsay Smith William Ramsay Smith
  William Reynolds Bayly William Reynolds Bayly
  William Rooke Creswell William Rooke Creswell
  William Taylor McCoy director of educ.
  William Thomas Shapley William Thomas Shapley of Methodist conference
  William Thornborough Hayward William Thornborough Hayward

James Alfred Pearce (1873–1944) drew caricatures in a similar style for the Adelaide News in a series entitled "Familiar Figures" in 1930. No. 19, Frank L. Gratton may be viewed here. Pearce was born in Burra to Cornish parents.[8] Lionel Coventry (1906–1986) was a later News caricaturist, seen here and here (F. L. Parker in 1945 and 1949 respectively)

Other interests edit

Although Chinner was best known for his caricatures, he was also a fine painter in watercolors.

He was also known for his skill as a poet, particularly as a hymnwriter.

He was deeply involved in municipal affairs, and was a longtime member of the Unley Council and served as mayor.

He was a board member of the Epworth Book Depot for over thirty years.

He was a lifelong supporter of Prince Alfred College in every aspect of its activities.

Family edit

 
Chinner by H. W. Chinner

Chinner married Harriet Agnes Wallace (died 22 September 1948) at Parkside Wesleyan Church on 11 September 1889. Their children were:

  • Mary Wallace Chinner (3 October 1890 – )
  • Dorothy Agnes Chinner (27 March 1892 – )
  • Marjorie Wallace Chinner (29 August 1894 – )
  • Harry Wallace Chinner (26 December 1896 – 11 July 1975)
  • John Wallace Chinner (5 March 1901 – )

They had a home at 33 Foster street, Parkside.

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ His elder brother, the musician William Bowen Chinner (1850 – 2 July 1915) was educated at St Peter's College. See his article for more family details.
  1. ^ a b c d "The Late Mr J. H. Chinner". Australian Christian Commonwealth. 9 February 1934. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ McCulloch, Alan; Nodrum, Charles (1984). Encyclopedia of Australian Art. Hutchinson of Australia. ISBN 978-0-0914-8560-3.
  3. ^ "Social to Mr Chinner". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 3 February 1925. p. 11. Retrieved 13 December 2020 – via Trove.
  4. ^ "Notable Citizens in Caricature". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXVIII, no. 25, 773. South Australia. 4 August 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 2 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Notable Citizens". The Saturday Journal. Vol. LVIII, no. 16190. South Australia. 28 July 1923. p. 17. Retrieved 2 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Advertising". Saturday Journal. Vol. XLIII, no. 16447. South Australia. 30 June 1928. p. 13. Retrieved 2 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Article started in userspace but abandoned as unlikely to meet notability criteria.
  8. ^ "Meet Mr. J. A. Pearce". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XI, no. 1, 606. South Australia. 6 September 1928. p. 6. Retrieved 30 January 2021 – via Trove.

Gallery edit

A few "notable citizens":