James Noble
James Noble was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1853, the son of Robert and Margaret Noble.
He arrived in Victoria in 1877, at the age of 24, and made for the goldfields to make his fortune.
He later met Emma Farley, who had been born in Dunolly, in 1864, and they were married in 1899.
In 1902, James Noble purchased Mr Andrew Sherlock’s business, the Railway Stores General Merchandise, and in 1904, he purchased a brick cottage formerly belonging to a Mr Brown.
He was to become very involved in the town community.
Mornington Standard, 1902
He was a patron of the Mornington Cricket Club, and for many years he was Secretary of the Mechanics Institute.
Mornington Mechanics’ Institute
He was the official keeper of the Rain Gauge, keeping records of Mornington’s rainfall. He was also an elder in the Presbyterian Church.
It was during the period of the 1st World War that James Noble worked tirelessly for the war effort.
The Mechanics Institute Committee voted to start a new group, called the Red Cross Equipment Volunteers Workers Society.
A large room in the Federal Store was converted into a workshop, and this was later moved to the rear of James Noble’s grocery store.
It was in these premises the men of the town produced many articles suitable for the rehabilitation of the returning WW1 soldiers – for example, walking sticks, splints, and deck chairs.
After a busy life in Mornington, James Noble passed away in 1922. He was survived by his wife Emma.
He is buried in the Mornington cemetery.
