(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

By June 1873 John Thomas Osmond, son of Thomas Osmond, had established his own business - Osmond's Homœopathic Pharmacy (also known as Kew Homœopathic Pharmacy), located on Bulleen Road, Kew (at that time, also known as Main Road). The pharmacy was located on the south side of Bulleen Road, between Denmark Street and Cotham Road, near Denmark Street. It appears that he took over the business of another chemist, J.P. Roebuck.

Over several months John advertised for a 'respectable young apprentice' or an 'improver'.

In the 1874 and 1875 Post Office directories Dr Ray and Dr Günst were listed as having their consulting rooms at the same location.

According to the Post Office Directory for 1876, J.T. Osmond, Homœopathic Chemist, was located at Bulleen Road, Kew, as well as at High Street, St Kilda - the latter being the address of his father's pharmacy.

In April 1876 there appeared the following notice:

NEW INSOLVENT

John Thos Osmond, late of Kew, druggist, now of St Kilda. Cause of insolvency - commencing business with insufficient capital and being compelled to borrow at high interest.

Considering the above information, it appears that for a short period during 1876 John may have worked with his father. However, this arrangement did not last long as in early 1877 Thomas issued a public notice stating that 'he has NO CONNEXION [sic] whatever with the homœopathic dispensary lately opened in Prahran by J.T. Osmond'.

According to the Post Office Directory for 1878, John's business was now called the Homœopathic Dispensary and was located at 21 Chapel Street, Prahran. This was on the west side of Chapel Street, on the corner of Parry Street. Drs George Teague and J.W. Günst were listed as having their consulting rooms at the same location.

It appears that John and his family moved to Sydney some time during 1879, the first mention of him being in May 1879. Henry Seelenmeyer, homœopathic chemist, took over the pharmacy in Prahran. John established a homœopathic pharmacy in Sydney.

©   Barbara Armstrong

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