The Advertiser, Monday 23 December 1918
(Adelaide, South Australia)
 

PERSONAL
By the death of Mr. James Oliver, which occurred early on Sunday morning at Miss Greenslade’s Private Hospital, Glenelg has lost one of its most highly respected residents. He was born in Cornwall in 1843. Arriving in South Australia in 1864, he two years later married Miss Mary Pool, of Millbrook. During the seventies he entered the building and contracting business at Glenelg, in which he continued until ten years ago. After the death of his wife in 1908 he retired from business. He was a member of the Glenelg Town Council for several years. He was a prominent figure at Commemoration Day festivities. He was very popular, and his death will be deplored by a large circle of friends. He left four daughters (Mrs. J. Bryant, Broken Hill; Mrs. E. A. Cocking and Mrs. F. Burton, Norwood; and Mrs. C. LeMessurier, Glenelg), fours sons (Messrs. W. H. Oliver, Wayville; E. J. Oliver, Gilbertson; and Percy and Victor Oliver, Adelaide; and 16 grandchildren.

The Barrier Miner, Thursday 26 December 1918
(Broken Hill, New South Wales)

DEATH OF MR. J. OLIVER
Mr. James Oliver, an old and well-known resident in Glenelg, died on Sunday after a brief illness. The deceased was born in St. Buryan, Cornwall, on June 2, 1843, and landed at Port Adelaide on February 5, 1865. After having spent a year or two at Millbrook, he settled at Glenelg, where he resided until his death. He was best known as a contractor, and erected many houses at Glenelg, including some of the finest edifices there. For a brief period he undertook building contracts in Melbourne, and Queen’s College was erected by him. For some years he was a member of the Glenelg Corporation, and always evinced a keen interest in the Commemoration Day sports in particular, and in all movements affecting the welfare of the seaside town. He was also a member of the Masonic Order and of the local Buffalo Lodge. Mr. Oliver left four sons and four daughters—Messrs. Percy and Victor (Adelaide), W. H. (North Norwood), and Ernest J. Oliver (Gilbertson), and Mesdames E. J. Bryant (Broken Hill), E. A. Cocking and S. Burton (Norwood), and E. Lemessurier (Glenelg)—and 16 grandchildren, two of whom are on active service. His wife died about 10 years ago.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho