Jonathan Somers

[1] He arrived in Toodyay as a blacksmith from Newcastle, New South Wales, and over time built up a major industry manufacturing vehicles and machinery using local timbers.

[5] From the latter half of the 1890s Somers was exhibiting machinery, wagons and vehicles at the annual Toodyay Agricultural Show.

Of particular interest was the use of local timbers that drew this comment about the 1898 show: Mr. Somers also had on view a most distinctive exhibit illustrative of the peculiar value of our hardwoods for wheelwright purposes- viz., an imported stripper wheel made of bluegum which had gone through nine years' wear and which was found to be in a very bad condition.

Another branch of this business is the manufacture of every class of vehicle, from the dainty sulky to the cumbersome farm dray.

Farming implements are also made on the premises, while experienced painters are busily engaged in the paint shop….

He was also actively involved in Toodyay getting its new power plant that was installed in the former Connor's Mill in the main street.

[9] The Toodyay Power Station was officially opened in 1927 by the Minister for Public Works, Alexander McCallum.

His son Ken Somers took over the business, which was named the Phoenix Coach and Waggon Works and Motor Garage.