13 August 1874 20 York Street Launceston Tasmania Australia Mary Gertrude Bowden Shirley

Arthur Edgar Pepper was born on 13 Aug 1874, the third of ten children born to James William Pepper (1840-1915) and his wife Agnes Reeves (1841-1937). James was the founder of the Launceston drapery firm JW Pepper & Son Pty Ltd established in 1850. Arthur was educated at EA Nathan's Launceston High School. He married Mary Gertrude Bowden on 19 Jun 1913 in Launceston. Their only child Shirley married W James Carter. Arthur joined his father's firm as a draper from 1899, becoming managing director in 1913 until Dec 1954 when the firm was taken over by the Melbourne firm Hicks Atkinson.

Arthur was a director of several companies: the Alexander Patent Racket Factory since its inception in 1925; Foot and Playsted Pty Ltd since 1926; the Phoenix Foundry from 1929; the Launceston Bank for Savings from 1944 and Herd and Co. He was also a keen sportsman, being a member of nearly all racing and trotting clubs and a member of the Northern Tasmanian Tennis Association and the Tasmanian Tennis Council. Arthur rowed, played tennis, golf and bowls. He was president of the Northern Club for 14 years, chairman of the Royal Autocar Club and on the board of the Launceston Church Grammar School.

Arthur died on 29 Nov 1955 aged 81 at his residence at 135 High Street. His private funeral was held at the Carr Villa crematorium. His wife Mary died on 6 Jan 1973 aged 84.

Gus Green & Marion Sargent Oct 2008