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.