Charles Butler and Son

Charles Butler was born in Hampshire, England in 1829.  He trained as a bricklayer before migrating to Victoria in 1856.  He began work as a builder and contractor and was responsible for building some of Melbourne’s best known early buildings, such as the “Victoria Coffee Palace” later the Victoria Hotel and the Methodist Ladies College, among others.

In 1886 he later opened the South Brunswick Brick Company Limited at 9 to 23 Albion Street near the corner of Albion Street and Henderson Street, at what is now Jones Park Brunswick East, Moreland City. The bricks bear the frog impressions of either "SOUTH BRUNSWICK", "S.B.B.C." or "C.BUTLER".  Charles had three sons, Charlie, Alf and Bert.  Charlie was the son who followed dad into the business.

In 1896, Charles Butler and Son became a member of the Co-operative Brick Company Limited This company was formed by agreement between the Hoffman Patent Steam Brick Co., Northcote Brick Co. Ltd., New Northcote Brick Co. Ltd., Chas. Butler & Son and Fritsch, Holzer and Co., and registered on 10 September 1896. Authorized capital was £50,000 in 50,000 shares of £1. The word ‘proprietary’ was added and registered on 11 February 1897. Authorized capital was increased to £150,000 on 17 July 1927.  During its 70 years of business the Oakleigh Brick Co., Clifton Brick Co., Blackburn Brick Co., City Brick Co., and the Standard Brick Co. (Box Hill) became associated.  The company was taken over by Brick and Pipe Industries Pty. Ltd., William Street, Melbourne, in 1966.

The brick works operated until 1972.  All that is left now are brick footings and remnants of the kilns made of bricks with the stamp "SBBC" on the long east- west wall and "C BUTLER" bricks in remnants of 1950s buildings.

Charles died at his home, 51 Fitzgibbon Street Parkville on the 11^th of December 1901.  His wife Elepsaba also died there ten tears later in April 1911.  

Thanks to http://bricksinvictoria.blogspot.com.au