Julius Jeppe began his career as a clerk in the firm of Schiffman and Company in Pretoria and quickly rose to a managerial position. In 1891, he married Grace Cowen with whom he had five children.

With the discovery of gold in the nearby Witwatersrand, Jeppe and his elder brother, Carl Jeppe, devoted their time to prospecting and developing land in the Johannesburg area. The Jeppes originally controlled a syndicate that owned land called Randjeslaagte, which, when deemed unfit for mining, became Jeppestown and Fordsburg under Jeppe’s chairmanship. Jeppe was also highly involved in the Johannesburg town council from 1889 and served on various executive boards, including the Chamber of Mines and the Rand Water Board.

In 1905, Jeppe entered a partnership with Sir Abe Bailey and merged his company with the Witwatersrand Township Estate and Finance Corporation. In 1919, this company became known as the South African Townships, Mining and Finance Corporation, with Jeppe acting as Chairman and Managing Director until his death.

In the early months of 1909, Julius Jeppe contemplated the creation of a country club and the development of a golf course in Waterkloof. The site of Pretoria Country Club as (it is today) was initially a shooting lodge owned by Jeppe. On 12 April 1910, a public meeting gathered 300 gentlemen interested in forming a country club. Some of the advantages offered by the country club would be “The use of a club house with billiard room, the use of a lake, tennis courts and croquet lawns, and an 18-hole golf course.”

On 8 October 1910, Pretoria Country Club officially opened its doors in the picturesque surroundings of Waterkloof, becoming a landmark in Pretoria. Over the years, it has evolved into a renowned sports and social venue in a secure environment.

Pretoria Country Club, nestled in one of the city’s most prestigious suburbs, offers various sporting facilities and is a hub of recreational and social activities. It boasts an 18-hole golf course (redesigned by the Gary Player Group in 2004/2005), six high-quality squash courts, six all-weather tennis courts, two beautiful bowling greens and five full-size snooker tables.

The Club offers four stunning event venues and four on-site accommodation units. The Terrace restaurant at the Pavilion and the Blu Saffron restaurant provide additional dining options for members and visitors. Pretoria Country Club, offering a diverse range of amenities in an exquisite setting, remains a testament to tradition.

For his pioneering role in the development of Johannesburg, Julius Jeppe was knighted in 1922. Sir Julius Jeppe passed away in London on 2 September 1929. A main suburban street in Pretoria and Jeppe Boys High School in Johannesburg are named after him.