H. L. Vosz

The company was founded in a modest way by a painter, plumber and glazier of more than usual business acumen, who unwittingly became the name behind many of the stained glass windows in South Australian churches and public buildings.

Heinrich Ludwig Vosz (3 May 1812 – 9 March 1886), was born in Hanover in humble circumstances, and when quite young moved with his parents to Hamburg, where he had to work for a living from age 12.

He returned with enough money to set up in business as painter, glazier and paperhanger, and in 1853 opened a retail store at 82 (renumbered c. 1890 as 88) Rundle Street, selling window glass, paints, and wallpaper.

He died after several years of intense suffering from neuralgia, which no medical treatment could alleviate,[4] and was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery without ostentation, by Rev.

[5] His business had become the largest of its kind in Australia; his wife and sons had predeceased him[6] and much of his considerable fortune was left to local charities, including £2,000 for the Home for Incurables.

[7] Other charities to benefit were The Orphan Home, the Royal Institution for the Blind, the Fund of Benevolence of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of South Australia, the Benevolent Fund of the Irish Constitution of Freemasons of South Australia, the Adelaide Children's Hospital, and the Cottage Homes.

[21] Around January 1907 manufacture of paints was transferred to purpose-built facilities at Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, and much new equipment brought in.

The shop boasted all the latest decorative styles and innovations in display and efficiency, such as the Lamson cash carriers, and a network of telephones connecting the various offices and workshops.

Another city block was purchased to house the mirror surfacing and bevelling factory, glass store and cutting workshop.

Two windows in the nave of St Peter's Cathedral were installed by the Vosz company, but were from the London firm of Charles Eamer Kempe.