James Cuming (1835-1911)

Family

James arrived in Australia in 1862 at the age of 27 with his wife Elizabeth, his three children, Robert Burns, Annie, and James, and his 12-year-old brother George.

The family’s early history in Australia is all about James's ultimately successful endeavours to establish and develop a chemical and fertiliser business through the family company, Cuming Smith and Company Ltd, and his rise to prominence as a business and community leader in Melbourne.

Already an experienced farrier, James soon bought out a local forge and quickly built it into a thriving business.

As Cuming Smith grew, James developed an interest in community affairs. He was twice Mayor of Footscray, longstanding President of the Footscray Football Club (now named Western Bulldogs), and one of the early Commissioners of The Board of Works, (now Melbourne Water).

Having become a very wealthy man, James enjoyed the role of philanthropist and gave generously to charitable institutions, hospitals, schools, and the University of Melbourne in particular. The Cuming Operating Theatre at the University’s Veterinary School was built in 1910 in honour of his father. (The building was replaced in 1973, but Marianus is remembered with a plaque in the foyer).

James Cuming died in October 1911. He was a man of great vision and drive; he was also a man of great generosity, as his philanthropic gifts to educational and charitable institutions would attest.

Business

Flushed with success and savings, James gave his forge to his brother George and joined forces with his brother-in-law George Smith to buy a small business manufacturing sulphuric acid. And so, Cuming Smith & Co was born!

Financial assistance for the purchase was provided by a businessman from Aberdeen, Charles Campbell, who remained a lifetime colleague of James and Chairman of the Company until he died in 1905.

James also formed a valuable relationship with chemical importers and distributors Felton Grimwade & Co., whose principals, Alfred Felton and Frederick Grimwade, subsequently became shareholders in Cuming Smith and partners with James and Charles Campbell in establishing the Adelaide Chemical Company.

In the meantime, George Smith left the company to go to New Zealand to start up and run Kempthorne Prosser & Co. chemical importers and distributors, in which Felton Grimwade & Co. had an interest.

The next generation was led by James’ two eldest sons, Burns in Adelaide and James in Melbourne. The generation after them saw Cuming Smith & Co. develop through further investment, alliances, and amalgamations into a company of national stature and importance.

During the 1960s, Cuming Smith & Co. Ltd. sold off its chemical and fertiliser investments to ICIANZ and Wesfarmers, and the company was wound up, thus ending one hundred years of successful involvement in Australian industry, particularly the rural industry.

Other

James Cuming And The Footscray Football Club