Edwin Henry Pike
Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 January 1906, page 21
THURROCKS. THE RESIDENCE OF MR. E.H. PIKE, BAYVIEW TERRACE, EAGLE JUNCTION.
The origin of the name "Grays Thurrock" comes in two parts. Thurrock is a Saxon name meaning "the bottom of a ship". The element "Grays" comes from Henry de Grai, a descendant of the Norman knight Anchetil de Greye, who was granted the manor of Grays Thurrock in 1195 by Richard I.
MR. EDWIN PIKE DEAD
Prominent Business Man Founder of Pike Bros.
Mr. Edwin Pike, governing director of Pike Bros. Ltd., general merchants and outfitters, of Queen Street, died a little before midnight on Sunday, after an illness lasting several weeks.
MR. PIKE became ill at Stanthorpe and was brought to Brisbane by aeroplane. He died at his home at Riverview Terrace, Ascot. The late Mr. Pike was born in the county of Wiltshire (England) on May 20, 1860, and was educated at Harlow College (Essex). He was a son of the late William and Sarah- Pike, of Woodlands Farm, Wiltshire, and was one of ten children. He came to Brisbane in 1883 with the intention of engaging in pastoral pursuits, but was persuaded to postgone going on the land by Mr. Bailey, then M.L.A. for Wide Bay. In order to conserve his limited capital while he was waiting to take up land, Mr. Pike engaged in commercial life. The present business of Pike Bros, was thus founded by him in 1885 on the site still occupied by the firm.
IMMEDIATE SUCCESS. Although he merely started the business as a temporary expedient it was successful from the start and later Mr. Walter Pike, another brother, who was already in Brisbane, joined Edwin. Popular and greatly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact, Mr. Edwin Pike rapidly developed the business, but never did he forget his early ambition to become a pastoralist. In 1912 he bought a pastoral property— Wittenburra— in the Cunnamulla district. This was later, acquired by his son, Mr. E. D. Pike.
UNFALING INTEREST. Although not exclusively engaged in the Queen Street business during the last 10 years, Mr. Pike retained his position as co-governing director and took the keenest interest in the welfore of the business and its employees right up to the time of his death. To keep himself occupied Mr. Pike bought a residence at Stanthorpe where he spent the greater part of the summer. In June, 1889, the late Mr. Edwin Pike married Miss Isabel Elizabeth Henderson, the only daughter of the late Mr. John Baillie Henderson, M.I.C.E., the Hydraulic Engineer for Queensland. He is survived by his wife, one son (Mr. E. D. Pike), and a daughter, Mrs. J. Thorpe, of Clayfield.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. Mr. Pike was a very charitable man, but never sought the limelight of publicity when according assistance to any person or institution. He was a keen golfer both at Brisbane and Stanthorpe and remained an active player until his final illness. He was also a great shot and a fisherman and in his younger days was an ardent yachtsman. Mr. Pike was a member of the Brisbane Club, the C.T.A., Y.M.C.A., and a foundation member of the Royal Queensland Golf Club. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to the Toowong cemetery.
Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 19 January 1956, page 4
Thurrocks Becomes Cranagh
Mr. M. Ryan, a well known western squatter, has purchased "Thurrocks," Eagle Junction., the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Pike, and with his family, is residing there. Mrs. Pike and her daughter, Mrs. J. Thorpe, have recently returned from a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Pike, near Charleville.
Michael Joseph Ryan (M. J. Ryan)
Michael Joseph RYAN, b. 17th July 1865, "Crannagh" County Carlow IRELAND, d. 10th July 1944 Brisbane QLD
In a primary industry career that spanned almost 60 years, and which began as so many great enterprises do, in a humble way, Mick Ryan owned properties from Winton - "Vindex", to Longreach - "Dalmore", to Blackall - "Cootabynia", "Homebush" (his residence for five years), "Bride Creek" and "Forrest Hill" to Springsure - "Arcturus Downs" and Emerald - "Comet Downs". He was said to have developed "an instinct little short of genius" for land aquisition and it's release. At his death in 1944, Mick Ryan's pastoral empire, subsequently known as "Ryan Estates", comprised of ten grazing properties each, of which complemented the others. A generous and enthusiastic employer, he attracted managers of high calibre, most notably Mr Herbert T. (Bert) Williams, who died in 1973 and whose knowledge of sheep and the industry in general is still a matter of reverence in the Blackall district.
Mick Ryan's success in business occasioned his appointment in his middle years to the board of the Queensland National Bank, and the Green family holds dear the story of his insistance that bank buildings be painted green in honour of his native Ireland! He was also on the board of Queensland Trustees, Atlas Insurance Co. Ltd and the Intercolonial Boring Company, as well as on the advisory board to The Australian Estates Co. Ltd. He built Ascot Chambers, on the corner of Queen and Edward Streets, Brisbane. His attachment and generosity to the Catholic Church were rewarded in 1929 with a Papal Knighthood conferred by Pius 11.
Mick's great love was horses and he was famous not only in the west but throughout the state for his race horses, both aquired and bred with great care on his property "Kialla Stud", Greenmount. His association with the legendary Blackall trainer J.J Kahl, brought them both considerable success in the bush and, later in the city. Mick was was elected president of the Springsure Racing Club in 1912, having moved to the district a year earlier, and in 1916 was made Patron of the Club, a position he held for some years.
Mick Ryan's western "home" was always Blackall and he gave generously of his time and money. He was a member of the founding commitee of the Blackall Woolscour which is such a worthy monument to those visionaries. He outlived three wives, two of whom were Blackall women. The family of his second wife, Mary Ann McKenzie, being among the earliest settlers in the district.
Though circumstances dictated his residing in the capital for much of his later life, Michael J. Ryan's heart remained in the bush he loved. He was truly an "Unsung Hero of the Outback".
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