Charles Edward Sewell
From the “Cyclopedia of Western Australia 1912/13”
CHARLES EDWARD SEWELL, LL.B., barrister and solicitor, Katanning, was a son of the late John Sewell, of Surrey, England, where the gentleman under review was born on September 1, 1859.
When about seven years old he accompanied his father to Australia and was educated chiefly by a tutor in his own home until he reached the standard necessary to qualify him for admission to the University of Adelaide, where he matriculated and subsequently graduated in law.
He was articled to Mr. (now Sir John) Gordon, of South Australia, and having completed his indentures, was called to the Bar of South Australia in 1886. Eventually he was taken into partnership by his former principal, and shortly afterwards purchased the practice, which he carried on for five years.
At the end of this period he was induced to go to Victoria, and having been admitted to practice there in 1891, proceeded to Mildura, whence he moved to Bendigo, and at a later date was identified with the mining district of Eaglehawk.
Owing to the bursting of the now notorious land boom in Victoria and the consequent depression of trade Mr. Sewell decided to accept an invitation to come to the virile Western State, where the prosperity resultant upon the outbreak of the eastern goldfields had attracted experts in every profession. His extensive knowledge of mining law endowed him with special fitness for practice on the fields, and he spent his six months of probation after arrival in managing the business of Messrs. Mann & Sinclair at Menzies, receiving admission to the Western Australian Bar in 1897.
An attack of fever, however, compelled him to relinquish his connection with the mining centre, and proceeding to Albany he established a practice which he carried on for five years.
When the mail steamers ceased to call at that port Mr. Sewell moved to Fremantle, where he formed a good connection, but becoming a sufferer from severe muscular rheumatism found it necessary to take up his residence at some inland district. For this purpose, he made choice of Katanning and, settling in this town in January, 1911, has continued here ever since.
Mr. Sewell is a member of the Masonic craft, in which he has held various principal offices. He has been twice married, and has issue one son by the first marriage.
