Background
SOWDEN, William John was born on April 26, 1858 in Castlemaine, Victoria. Son of late Thomas Sowden, mining manager.
SOWDEN, William John was born on April 26, 1858 in Castlemaine, Victoria. Son of late Thomas Sowden, mining manager.
Studied at private school, Castlemaine, Victoria, and privately.
Entered the office of the Castlemaine Representative, and later that of The Mount Alexander Mail in Castlemaine. After further literary experience joined reporting staff of the South Australian Register, 1881. Became chief of reporting and Hansard staffs.
Accompanied parliamentary party to the Northern Territory, 1882. Contributed to The Register, besides many other special articles, Echoes from the Smoking Room, which were critical and humorous comments on parliamentary proceedings, 1882-1892. Chief leaderwriter, 1892.
Acting editor, 1897-1898. Editor and part proprietor, 1899. Has been twice Chief President of S.A. Board of Directors of Australian Natives Association (holding record in Australia as President for five years).
President Board of Governors National Library, Museum, and Art Gallery, 1908-1909. Justice of the Peace; editor of The Register, Adelaide, and part proprietor of The Register, The Observer, and The Evening Journal newspapers.
Clubs : Adelaide, Commercial, Farmers’ and Producers’, etc.
Gardening, cycling, bowls, collecting curios.
Spouse 1886, Letitia,daughter of Joseph Adams, merchant, Melbourne.