Die gebroeders Deas: kar- en wamakers van Oudtshoorn 1875 - 1900.
Abstract
• Opsomming:
Die broers William en James Robert Deas het as jong seuns in
1853 saam met hulle ouers van Skotland na Suid-Afrika geemigreer.
Hulle vader het hom in 1856 op Oudtshoorn gevestig waar die seuns
Skoolgegaan, die grofsmidambag geleer en hulle as kar- en wamakers
bekwaam het. In 1875 het die broers hulle eie wamakery begin
en dit in die daaropvolgende jare uitgebou tot een van die grootste
ondernemings in sy soort in die Kaapkolonie. Teen die einde van
1899 moes die vennootskap ontbind as gevolg van die afname in
sakebedrywighede. Albei broers het ʼn belangrike rol in die openbare
lewe gespeel selfs nadat hulle onderneming verkoop is en elkeen
sy eie koers ingeslaan het. • Summary:
In 1853 the brothers William and James Robert Deas were
still young boys when they emigrated with their parents from Scotland to South Africa. In 1856 their father settled in Oudtshoorn
where the two boys went to school, learnt their trade as blacksmiths,
and qualified as cart and waggon builders. In 1875 they established
their own cartwright's shop, which in the years that followed they
developed into one of the largest undertakings of its kind in the Cape
Colony. By the end of 1899 owing to a depression in business the
partnership had to be dissolved. Both the brothers were active in
public affairs, even after their business had been sold, and each
went his own way.