James Telfer

Born: 12 August 1829, Roxburghshire, Scotland (Hermitage Castle area) | Died: 6 July 1913, Cliffside, Port Lincoln SA | Mother: Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) | Father: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Occupation: Station Manager, Koppio Station, Eyre Peninsula SA | Arrived: September 1854 aboard the "Bernicia"

Portrait of James Telfer, circa 1870. State Library of South Australia B 8505/5E.
Source: SLSA Portrait Collection — accessed 25 May 2026

Family

Relation	Name
Father	James Telfer (1796–1863)
Mother	Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891)
Spouse	Janet Welsh (married 6 November 1855, Adelaide SA)
Brother	Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925)
Brother	John Telfer (ca 1840-1913)
Brother	Robert Telfer (1837-1907)
Sister	Elizabeth "Betty" Beattie Telfer (1832-1896) m. John Charles Dillon
Daughter	Mrs. G. W. H. Warnock
Son	James Telfer (1858-1944) — manager of Koppio Station
Son	John Telfer (born ca 1861)
Son	Robert Telfer (born ca 1869) — of Koppio SA
Son	Adam Telfer — of Streaky Bay SA

Life Summary

James Telfer was born in 1829 at Hermitage Castle, Roxburghshire, Scotland, the son of James Telfer (1796-1863) and Elizabeth Beattie. He emigrated to South Australia, arriving in September 1854 aboard the ship "Bernicia".

He married Janet Welsh on 6 November 1855 in Adelaide. James managed Koppio Station on Eyre Peninsula for approximately 30 years on behalf of Hawker & Briggs. He was one of the oldest residents of the west coast at the time of his death.

James died on 6 July 1913 at "Cliffside", Port Lincoln, South Australia, at the age of 84. He was survived by four sons and one daughter, and 20 grandchildren. Janet Welsh had predeceased him on 14 January 1885 at age 59.

Timeline

Date	Event
12 Aug 1829	Born at Hermitage Castle, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Sep 1854	Arrived South Australia aboard the "Bernicia"
6 Nov 1855	Married Janet Welsh, Adelaide SA
ca 1858-1888	Managed Koppio Station, Eyre Peninsula for Hawker & Briggs
14 Jan 1885	Death of wife Janet Welsh, aged 59
6 Jul 1913	Died at Cliffside, Port Lincoln SA

Sources

Trove — Observer, 19 Jul 1913: "The death occurred at Cliffside, Port Lincoln, on July 6, of Mr. James Telfer, one of the oldest residents of the west coast. He was born at Hermitage Castle... He arrived in SA on the Bernicia in 1854..." — Trove Article 163105669 — accessed 25 May 2026

State Library of South Australia: Portrait B 8505/5E — James Telfer, 1829-1913 — SLSA Catalogue — accessed 25 May 2026

southaustralianhistory.com.au: Koppio page — James Telfer manager for 30 years — SA History — accessed 25 May 2026

RootsWeb database: James Telfer (12 Aug 1829-6 Jul 1913) m. Janet Welsh (ca1826-14 Jan 1885) — accessed 25 May 2026

FamilySearch: James Telfer (1829-1913) — KDBV-SG2 — accessed 25 May 2026