A Tonsorial Dynasty –

The Mickle family have established a dynasty of Hairdressers (Tonsorial Artists) and tobacconists in Western Australia. Starting in the Murchison and Northern Goldfields the four brothers and a nephew had premises in Menzies, Mt Magnet, Kookynie, Laverton and Wiluna and Meekatharra. They would also open a business in Narrogin in later years.

The four sons, John James, Henry Harry, William, and David were all born in Victoria. The sons of David Mickle and Margaret Moore. A fifth establishment was opened in Meekatharra by Earlston Bede Mickle, the oldest son of John James Mickle and nephew to the other brothers.

Laverton Mercury 6 June 1903, page 3

David Mickle, Mt Morgan Fire Brigade


“OUR FELLOW TOWNSMAN.”
David Mickle – Mt Morgans

The party whom I wish to bring under this particular heading at present is Mr. David Mickle, hairdresser and tobacconist. David struck, the township in the year of our Lord 1901, and started business in a very humble way in a small hessian humpy somewhere off Murrin street. A very remarkable event happened at Mt Morgans about this time, which David still relates with gathering tears in his optics, and that was the breaking and entering of his establishment by burglars, who took with them when they left the sum of £8 in notes, and the reason they didn’t take any more was that there wasn’t any more to take.
Providence must have looked down with an eye of pity on David because his career ever since has been like that of the Mercury, upward and onward. In short, David has prospered, and he is now the proud possessor of the largest hairdressing saloon (beautifully mirrored and pictured) on the northern fields. David presides over the football association and rules that body with a firm and gentle hand. He is also a great patron of outdoor games, and when he promises a medal or donation he is always as good as his word. In short, to see any sports meeting without its David would be as great an anomaly as to see Mayor Jack Smith walking about without his head. David never gives any imaginary presents, they are always real. Therefore when anyone feels time hanging heavily on his hands let him repair to David’s saloon, where a solo on the flute surely awaits him.

David Shae Mickle married Jane Charlotte AVERY, Children:- Agnes Dorothy Maud Mickle – Born 1902, Olive Mary Catherine Mickle – Born 1904 Sadly David was declared bankrupt in 1909. David died on 30 Aug 1912 aged 51 and is buried with his son and first child, Avery David Morgans Mickle Aged 7mths who died in 1901.

David and Avery Mickle – Mt Morgans Cemetery

Menzies –
John James Mickle married  Lillie Alice Ada Clarke in Menzies in 1898, Children: Earlston Bede Mickle – Born 1899, Esma Lillie Mickle – Born 1905, Esther Millicent Mickle -Born 1901

John 'Jack' James MICKLE 1869-1938

John ‘Jack’ James MICKLE 1869-1938

Kookynie-
Henry “Harry’ Mickle married Emily Hill in 1897 in NSW – Children: Dorothy Elizabeth Irene b 1898, Alice Mary b 1900,  Eric Henry Mervyn – b 1902, Constance Winifred b 1906, Harold David George b 1908, John Oxley b 1910, Herbert Roy b 1911, Emily Lois b 1914 & Elsie Mildred b 1916.

Henry 'Harry' Mickle 1866-1941

Henry ‘Harry’ Mickle 1866-1941

Laverton –
William H Mickle married Rose Bailey in 1894 in Victoria –  Children: Irene Waratah b 1895, Adela Rose b 1897, Colin William b 1900, Douglas Charles b 1901, Gwendolyn Margaret Ramshaw born 1903, Evelyn Jessie b 1905, Lawrence David b 1908, Allan Shaw b 1912, Kenneth Campbell b 1914, Lola Mary b 1917 & Roma Patricia b 1918.

Wiluna & Meekatharra
Earlston Bede Mickle son of John James and Lillie Clark MICKLE-

An unusual advertisement was used by all the families at the various establishments at different times with slight variations.     Miners’ Daily News – Menzies- 1 June 1898, page 3


‘A Football Farewell’

A player from our gallant crowd, lay dying in his tent.
His comrades standing by could see his life was nearly spent;
They listened with an anxious ear to hear what he might say,
They knew full well he could not live till dawned another day.

‘Oh! comrades’. said the dying man, one last wish I crave.
Just take me down to Mickle’s shop to get a decent shave;
In days gone by he cut my hair, made me look spruce and clean.
And many a time in Mickle’s shop some splendid work I’ve seen.

My father who died long ago. upon a foreign strand.
Had youth and beauty in his looks when shaved by Mickle’s hand;
And mother, dear (a friend she was, the kindest of mammas).
Would often say she loved the smell of Mickle’s best cigars.

She always gave me good advice, as only mothers can,
And told us when we learned to smoke that Mickle was the man
Who sold the best tobacco and who did a roaring trade.
And put the other shops, completely in the shade.

But, comrades, I must leave her now, and if her poor hearts frets.
Tell her I smoked my farewell smoke in Mickle’s cigarettes.
She’ll know that I obeyed then, it will her fond heart cheer.
So give my love to Mickle boys, I cannot linger here.”

“I’m dying, yes. I’m dying.” gasped the gallant player, when
He gently sighed and breathed his last amid the sorrowing men;
And when he reached the golden gates, no one told him to stop ;
The angels knew the hero brought some weed from Mickle’s shop!

J. .J. M I C K L E,
Hairdresser and Tobacconist,
SHENTON ST,  MENZIES. 

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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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Comments

  1. Kevin Blacker says

    Thanks for this Mickle history. By second marriage I am linked to the Narrogin branch of this family and will pass this link to Tony Mickle of AUSTRALIND where we now live.
    These Mickle’s continued a Tonsotorial dynasty in Bunbury and perhaps he might follow up with you.
    Kevin Blacker, brother of June Rundle formerly of Ward st Lamington.

    • Hi Kevin, How are you going? I had another lady ask about the connection to the Mickle’s you mention she said Tony and Peter. I couldn’t find the direct line but Im sure it’s there.

    • Hi Kevin, How are you? I have had another lady enquire about the Bunbury Mickle’s, she said there was a Tony and a Peter. Although Im sure they are related through Earlson Mickle I couldnt find a direct link.

  2. Bruce MICKLE says

    Hello Moya, my name is Bruce (Mickle). I live on the east coast. My father was Herbert, son of Henry (Harry) Great article. Most of the info I have collated in my Mickle/Doyle family tree. Thanks for the story. A great read

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