The first child and only son of Robert and Mary Ann Sophia Balford was born in Collector near Goulburn on 14 September 1865.
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At the age of five years, Ottiwell with his parents moved to Young, where they had a store for many years, near the Railway Hotel.
As a young man of 25 years, Ottiwell was working for the Young Municipal Council This was his place of work when he married Henrietta Rhodes at St John's Church of England at Young on 18 Feb, 1890.
They made their home in what was once a wayside inn, a historic old place which stood at the fork of Wombat and Back Creek Roads, close by the cemetery, Henrietta converted it into a warm and cheerful home.
Through the Cartwright's history in Young the place was fondly referred to as "the old cemetery house".
Five children were born to the couple- William, Bertie, George, Arthur , Littian and Ottiwell continued to work for the Young Municipal Council as their gardener.
In 1912 Ottiwell purchased two properties ,each adjacent, which stood from the corner of Wombat and Cowper Streets, both were purchased on 20 June 1912 from Thomas Wythes, nearly a year later, on April 4,1913, Ottiwell made another land purchase when he bought Lot 1, which stood on the corner of Wombat Street and Back Creek Road.
During 1916 Cartwright acquired the Monumental Masonry Business of J. R. Throwden.
The masonry works stood practically opposite the old cemetery house. The eldest son was the only one to complete his apprenticeship and retain an interest in the business.
In 1924 Ottiwell officially transferred the management of the business over to his son as his health had rapidly declined.
He died on June 21, 1928, aged 62 years.
In addition to his work with Young Municipal Council and the Monumental Business, he was also caretaker of the Young cemetery for 23 years, a Justice of the Peace and Alderman for 6 years and took a part in public life.
(From Young and District Family History Group)
Housing the People, Dwellings that need Renovation, Chief Inspector's report
It will be remembered that the Young Municipal Council recently made a closing order of a dwelling on the Temora Road the property of Mr GE Sheriff, which was declared unfit for habitation.
Mr Sheriff appealed to the undersecretary for Public Health.
His report concluded with some alternative suggestions for making the place habitable.
The recommendations included improved ventilation and drainage, insertion of a damp-course, raising of the walls , fitting of spouting and rain-water tanks. The report concludes: "Mr Sheriff owns several properties that are of such a nature that while they may not be altogether unfit for human habitation, they certainly require to be renovated and it is the councils intention to require Mr Sheriff to carry out the work, but are allowing the matter to stand pending a settlement of the little trouble that has now arisen."
(Young Witness, Saturday, April 16, 1921)
- Brian James produces his column each Tuesday for publication in the Young Witness for the Young District Historical Society Inc.