Biographical notes:
Son of James Oliver & Sarah Mill.
James was one of the original members of the Lyrup Village Communal Settlement at age 19. He and Herbert Bennett set out overland for Lyrup on about Feb 16, 1894 with the Association's four horses, while the rest of the 243 settlers travelled by train and boat. He married Amy Downer, the daughter of pioneer member Henry Downer. James was discontented with the communal system at Lyrup & resigned from the Association on 13 Oct, 1896. He then went to work as a miner in Broken Hill with his father.
James returned to Lyrup with his wife & 2 daughters in 1908 where he built a house on a leased block. He bought additional land in 1916 & then became eligible to rejoin the Association which was no longer run on communal lines. He was elected to the board in 1917 & became chairman in 1919. In December 1920, while still chairman, he was appointed acting manager.
James was a member of the Lyrup football team in 1909 when his brother Harold (of later Port Adelaide & SA team fame) was captain.
His brothers Harold & Charles plus Charles' son Walter Bruce Oliver were also fruit-growers at Lyrup at one time.
Reference documents:
1896 marriage registration index record.
ca 1930 - photograph with Amy.
Alan Jones, 'Lyrup Village A Century of Association 1894-1994'.