[3] He was educated in Edinburgh, and emigrated to South Australia in 1852, two and a half years after his mother, brother and three sisters, who left Leith in June 1850[4] aboard the barque Young England.
[5] In April 1864 he left for Moonta, where he opened a similar store, also acting as postmaster and registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, and was active in the local literary society.
[11] He built Melvin Chambers on the site of the City Arms Hotel and Noltenius's store, corner of Waymouth and King William streets, in 1880.
He was a lover of books, and a great reader until prevented by failing eyesight, and died at his residence, Unley Park.
[5] Melvin was three times married: Sarah Grace Lambell on 26 November 1861;[1] Caroline Adams (1849–1896) in 1879;[19] and Mary Ann Eliza in 1905.