John Henry Chinner

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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":

  • A. E. Clarkson
    A. E. Clarkson
  • Hans Heysen
    Hans Heysen
  • Douglas Mawson
    Douglas Mawson
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