Person Page - 28

From the "Kalgoorlie Miner", 23rd February 1932
     Passed on at the age of 72, in tragic circumstances, Mr. John Silverthorne, of Muradup, near Kojonup. Deceased was one of the pioneer foundrymen of the gold fields, the names of Silverthorne and Adair being familiar to every resident of Kalgoorlie and of every little district for miles north and south. The partners were in business in Coolgardie as sawmillers, contractors, etc., in 1894, moving on to Kalgoorlie about half a dozen years later.
     As engineers and iron founders, they were soon in a big way of business, doing important work for the big mines of the Golden Mile and dealing extensively in stamp batteries, secondhand machinery, etc. About 1908 Claude de Bernales came into the business, first buying out Adair and later John Silverthorne. "Silver", as the latter was familiarly called, then went farming near Kojonup in partnership with the late Mrs. de Bernales, who later became sole owner of' the property, which, when disposed of some years before her death, realised something in the vicinity of £30,000, the beneficiaries being her daughters. John Silverthorne took up a nearby farm, and lived in it till his death. He was a man who had the advantage of very little schooling, but founded a big business by great industry, foresight and keenness. His brother, William, is still secretary of the foundry, which is conducted on Boulder-road, Kalgoorlie, by the Kalgoorlie Foundry, Ltd.³