Rex Lloyd BECKER

THE LAURA FARM

Birth and Baptism

Rex was born in Laura, South Australia on 7^th August 1928, the last of seven children born to Richard Becker and his wife Emma nee Zanker. Rex was baptized on the 9^th September and was one of the first children baptized by Pastor Ernst Stolz who had been ordained as a Lutheran pastor and then installed as the new Pastor of the Appila Parish a week before Rex was born. Rex said that Pastor Stolz must have been nervous. He baptized four babies that day and he actually baptized Rex as ‘Ray’.

Rex’s eldest sister Rita was 20 years old and she loved to nurse and care for baby Rex. This was much appreciated by their mother Emma as her husband Richard was a sick man.

Uncle

Two years later Rita married Edgar Zwar who was also a member of the same Pine Creek Lutheran congregation. They lived about four k’s away ‘as the crow flies’, directly northeast over farming paddocks. Rex could recall that when he was four years old his mother lifted him up and sat him on a table and announced in German that he was now an uncle as his sister Rita now had her own baby they would call Melville. Rex enjoyed playing with his little nephew. One day Rex was missing and after much searching they found him on his three wheeler bike out on the main road on his way to visit Melville.

School

Rex said he began going to school in Laura when he was five years old so he could go with his sister Linda who was in her last year and Linda could look after him as he could only speak German and she could help him learn some English. Rex said he was the only one of the children to begin school when they were only 5 years old. They went the four miles to school by a horse and sulky (a light two wheeler pulled by a single horse). During the day they left the horse and sulky at the home of Mrs McHugh who was a music teacher in Laura and taught Linda, and Rex thought she may have taught Rita too.

Father

Rex told me that all his memories of his father were as a sick man. He remembered the doctor calling regularly to drain the fluid from his father’s body – Dropsy/Oedema. When Rex was eight years old his father Richard died. He was 66 years old. Rex would go through some difficult times in his life but he had a strong faith in the love of God and a ready sense of humour that helped him to carry through life as it came to him.

The Willows

“The Willows” as the Becker home was named, remained the home and the family centre of the Becker families. Even when they married and left home they all lived nearby for some years. The love and care of her families was focused on Emma. To all the grandchildren she was affectionately called ‘Mutter’. We loved to go there for holidays. Grandmother Emma Becker would live for another 41 years after the death of her husband.

QC Certificate

Rex continued his schooling in Laura until the end of 1939. He said his family thought it would be good for him to have some religious learning while at school. Rex and Max Zanker would travel together the six miles to the Pine Creek Lutheran School and would pick up some of their Zanker cousins on the way. Rex completed his year 7 QC certificate in 1940 when he was 12 years old under the teacher Albert Fehlberg. Rex was looking forward to going to the high school at Gladstone in the new year.

The Great Flood

In January 1941 an exceptionally rare event in nature changed his plans. Two of Uncle Rex’s Zwar nephews, Melville and Glenn and a niece, Rhonda had come for a holiday, as their baby brother Kevin was in the Laura hospital fighting for his life. One day a freak heavy rain storm in the Appila district sent a giant flood down the Pine Creek and the floodwaters went through the Becker homestead and farm, nearly two metres deep though the Becker house. The three Zwar children were put on the top of a car shed roof and watched pigs and other animals washed away. The flood waters went through the farm buildings and some, including the sheep yards and shed were washed away. The cellar was filled with water and mud and were never opened. The main timbers of several bridges up stream washed down through the farm and took down some huge gum trees and these were left scattered over the farm. Most of the town of Laura was flooded too, but no one suffered as much as the Becker property as the Pine Creek takes a bend right next to the homestead and the flood waters went straight ahead and through the house and all the farm buildings.

The three Zwar children were taken to Uncle Herb and Auntie Mary Schultz’s to sleep that night.

The Flood Clean-up

Rex would be involved for most of the year in clearing up the mess the flood had made over much of the farm, including clearing fallen gum trees. One large gum tree was washed up next to the home garden. All of his brother Melvin’s 21^st birthday presents were lost to the floodwaters. New sheep yards and a new shearing shed were built on a different part of the farm.

For more details of the flood one can read Melville Zwar’s account of the flood.

One can read newspaper reports of the flood in the newspapers of the time.

Confirmation

During the year Rex attended weekly confirmation lessons in Laura with Pastor Roehrs. Rex was confirmed in the Wirrabara Lutheran Church which was part of the Laura Lutheran Parish, and was a separate parish from the Pine Creek Appila Lutheran Parish his family belonged to.

Family Marriages

Rex’s sisters and a brother were marrying and leaving home. Rex’s sister Frieda had married Rheinhold Wurst three months before the big flood and they had settled on their farm south of Appila. The following year his oldest brother Eric Becker married Anna Borgas and they lived on their farm west of Caltowie. Several years later his sister Linda married Walter Bartsch and they lived in Laura.

By the end of the Second World War Rex and his older brother Melvin were left at home with mother Emma.

Christmas Celebrations

I can recall the Becker Christmas celebrations held each year. They were usually held at ‘The Willows’ Becker homestead. It was a feast. It was about the only meal of the year when we ate roast chicken! The fowls on our farms were primarily kept for the money from the sale of eggs. These were the Great Depression and War years and each penny was precious. On the farms we regularly killed our own sheep for meat, and once a year a pig. One only shopped at the local butcher to buy sausages and maybe some mince meat.

I can recall a Christmas session in the large Becker parlour room when I was only about three years old. One night Uncle Reinhalt Wurst showed some of his movie films in the darkened parlour room. I was terrified and cried as it was a completely new and unexpected experience for me.

Grandmother Becker gave each grandchild a Christmas present.

Fishing

The Becker families would sometimes go fishing along the coast near Port Germein. The fishing net was kept at Rex’s. Over the years we tried different fishing spots. The families had invested in a long fishing net. I hesitate to guess it’s length. A few of the men would lead out into the sea pulling one end of the net until the water was up to their shoulders, then go parallel to the shore until the net was fully out and then pull their end of the net in to the shore. Hopefully a lot of whiting would have been trapped along with other fish and some large crabs. As children we played in the sea waters and in the sand dunes with our cousins.

I recall on one fishing trip the radios announced that the King had died. There has not been another similar announcement to this day! [2017]

Holidays

We children continued going to the Becker Willows homestead for holidays. The Pine Creek always had water running and included some long and deep stretches of water. We could go out in a rowing boat with our aunties and uncles.

We also enjoyed fishing in the Pine Creek for yabbys. On one occasion Uncle Rex had slaughtered a sheep for meat and we were trying to catch yabbies’. Rex brought the head of a killed sheep over and put a long piece of string on it and lowered it into a deep pool. When he pulled it up after about 15 minutes it was covered with large yabbies. After repeating this several more times we had caught far more yabbies’ than we had ever seen!

Uncle Rex would also take us out in the utility to feed the sheep out in the paddocks. It was hot summer time and the sheep needed extra feed. Uncle Rex would start the utility and set the choke to drive us at a very slow speed, and then he would jump up into the back to throw out the hay as we young children steered the vehicle round the paddock.

There were also several sheep dogs on board and one day they took off after a fox and eventually caught it and killed it. One was an old dog and he had so exerted himself in the chase that now he collapsed and couldn’t stand up, so he had to be carried home.

Marriage

I was 11 years old when Uncle Rex married Auntie Grace Ottens, and I was thrilled to go to the wedding and the wedding reception. It was a rare experience for me at that age. My brother Melville Zwar was pleased to be in the wedding party of his uncle. He also milked the cows for Rex and Grace when they went on their honeymoon and says it must have been quite a challenge in those days for Rex to milk over 40 cows twice a day as well as working the property as a wheat and sheep farm.

The marriage produced two children, Judith and Jeffrey.

Author Leaves Home

Several years after the wedding I went to Immanuel College in Adelaide. I didn’t realize it at the time but I would never live permanently at Laura again. After going to Immanuel I went to Luther Seminary in Adelaide for five years, and was then ordained as a Lutheran pastor in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church and then went to serve in the new Gympie Lutheran parish in Queensland. South Australia would never be my home again and I had little with the Becker family.

It has always been a pleasure to meet up with Uncle Rex and Auntie Grace when on holidays in South Australia. I have found it is usual for those who move interstate that they often like to keep up with their family history. It is Uncle Rex who supplied me with much helpful information on his family during his life time, and I think we all owe him a special word of thanks.

Changes Over 100 years

Rex Becker’s father Richard Becker bought ‘The Willows’ farm from his brother in September 1909. I think it was great that the recent Annual Becker Family Reunion in 2016 was held in Laura and a visit was made to ‘The Willows’ Farm.

One hundred and seven years after Richard and Emma bought their farm their descendants still own land in a virtually unbroken line from the Rocky River near Laura that reaches eastwards almost to Caltowie. These properties include Valma Thomson, Melvin Becker, Rex Becker, Rita Zwar, Wayne and Peter Zwar, and Eric Becker families.

The homes of Rex Becker, Rita Zwar, and their neighbours the Stakers, Westons/Zanker, and three families of the Saegenschnitters who were also Becker relatives, are all now empty houses or no longer even standing. These changes reflects the changes in the size of farms and families in our society over the past 100 years.

© Kevin P Zwar

Adelaide

Seaview Downs

After a family discussion in 1980, it was decided to sell the farm and move to Seaview Downs to be closer to the children. Both Rex and Grace quickly adapted to city life.

Fishing

As long as anyone can remember, Rex always had a great love of fishing. We can’t quite remember when be purchased his first boat, a small wooden craft with a very basic outboard motor, but over time his boats became larger, faster and more luxurious. He often commented that the size or style of the boat did not have much effect on the amount offish that he caught. Grace also.enjoyed her time on the water, and was always available for a fishing trip when the weather was right. When asked whether he had a successful day fishing, he would often say, no, but we had a lovely day boating. If he had a good catch, he would weigh the fish and compare the current price of his catch against the cost of the fuel he used on the day.

Judith

Sadly, in 1994 Judith after a long battle with cancer, passed away at the tender age of 39 years, leaving two grand sons, Jack and Brett with her husband, John. The boys continued to be a great source of enjoyment to Rex. Judith’s untimely death caused both Rex and Grace a great deal of sorrow, Rex finding it difficult to accept that one’s child should be taken before the parent.

Fishing

After fishing, Rex also had a great love of working with wood. One of his first projects when moving to Adelaide, was to build a large purpose built workshop, fitted out with all the machinery and tools that would make some professional carpentry workshops look amateur. When he wasn’t fishing he spent most of his time in the workshop. And of course he also bought a bigger and better boat.

Part Time Jobs

He also took on several part time jobs, as he felt a little guilty not having a “proper” job at his age. The boss of a factory that he helped maintain quickly realized that Rex had many skills (gained from working out mechanical and other problems on the farm), and insisted that Rex assist the professional engineers with their problem solving. Rex had a very practical way of working things out. He was often asked to help sort out and fix problems on the boss’s yacht.

Travelling

Grace loved travelling, so in 1982 Rex fitted out a large F100 four wheel drive vehicle, and they took off on a trip around Australia.

Then in 1984 they purchased a purpose built campervan and travelled to New South Wales and Western Australia along with many shorter trips.

Seaview Downs to Pasadena

After putting their names on a waiting list, in 2005 they were told that a nice three-bedroom unit in Trinity Place, Pasadena was available. After some discussion, Rex and Grace sold their home (and boat) in Seaview Downs and moved into their new-home in Pasadena.

Once again Rex quickly converted the garage into a work shop so he could continue his love of working with wood. With his ingenious skill he managed to make the work bench and other machinery mobile, so that it could be moved to make room for the family car.

Rex did miss the boat, and the fishing trips, but understood that as he was aging, handling the boat was not as easy as it once was.

Rex and Grace adapted well to the new village lifestyle. Grace involved in many church and community activities and Rex spending his time in the workshop. It didn’t take long for word to get around that if you wanted anything made of wood, or repaired, Rex was the man to see.

Serious Accident

In May 2016, while visiting his son Jeffrey in Melbourne, Rex suffered a serious accident resulting in a number of broken bones in his ankle. Following several spells in hospital and a long (far too long according to Rex) 90-day period on very strong antibiotics, he continued to suffer from a previous medical condition. He managed to get back to some kind of normal life, even driving the car for shopping and doctor’s appointments.

He did however, get weaker, and after a fall early in December, he was admitted to hospital. He stayed at Flinders Hospital until the 17^thDecember when he was transferred to Daw House in Daw Park where he continued to receive special, comforting care.

19th December 2016

Rex passed away peacefully on Monday the 19^th December, 2016.

On Tuesday 3rd January 2017 Trinity Lutheran Church was filled with many relatives and friends in a service of thanksgiving to God, led by Pastor Mark Kaesler, for the life of Rex Becker.

Rex had two brothers, Eric and Melvin, and four sisters, Lorna, Rita, Frieda and Linda who all pre-deceased him.

We remember Rex for his great sense of humour, his wonderful generosity and his friendship.

© Jeffrey Becker

Dennis Kevin SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

The following biography is the work of the late Dean Saegenschnitter, who collected and compiled ‘Before and After’, a Family History of the Saegenschnitter descendants of Auguste Emilie Lydia Becker and Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter.

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Childhood

I was born in Adelaide on 31st May, 1945 and arrived at the home of Albert & Gertie Saegenschnitter, who then lived in Laura, when I was 6 weeks old.

I was Baptised by Paster W. F. Roehrs on the 22^nd July 1945, in the Easter Lutheran Church Laura. My Sponsors were Edna Saegenschnitter (Curtis ), Albert Pech and Conrad Wegner.

Education

Schooling began in 1951 at the Laura Primary School, and in Grade 1 I achieved my best results for all my school life by topping the class (the first and only time this happened). In September our family moved to Tanunda, and my education continued at the Tanunda Primary School till 1957, then to Nutioopta High School 1958-1960. I attended religious instruction, and was Confirmed at Langmeil Lutheran Church, Tanunda on the 12^thOctober, 1958 by Pastor Ivan Witter.

Employment

I commenced employment with E. H. Hage & Co., who were G M H Dealers in the Barossa Valley, as an Office Clerk. Here I learnt basic book keeping skills and office procedures.

Hermannsburg

This lead me to accept the position of Bookkeeper at the Hermannsberg Mission, south west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, in 1966. As a Bookkeeper I also ran the Post Office, and the Commonwealth Bank Agency, drove the truck into Alice Springs once a fortnight for supplies, acted as a part time store assistant, and assisted in the meat store ( Butcher Shop). It was a great learning curve for a 21 year old while living in relative isolation, and learning the culture of the Aboriginal People.

Barossa Valley

In 1968 I returned to the Barossa Valley, and after some time with casual work, and travelling. I was offered a full time position back at Hage & Co. “if I was ready to settle down”, as Mr. Ed Hage put it to me.

In 1985 I was offered a position with Steinhage Holden (now Steinborer Holden) at Gawler, till 1989. In that period of 1968-1989 in the Barossa I worked in the Royal Automobile Association District Office, handled finance for vehicles sales, spent a time as a vehicle salesman, became a Service Department clerk, and spent many years as a Service Department Controller.

After a 3 month break, I worked as a bottling line attendant for Penfolds (now Southcorp) for four months, until I had the opportunity to run the local Kawasaki motorcycle agency at Nurioopta, and the Honda Motorcycle Agency at Gawler until it closed in early 1994.

After a lot of thought I applied for work in the Funeral Industry and was able to gain employment with Piitzner Funerals at Kapunda in August 1994, They were sold to Clayton Scott Funerals of Nurioopta in 1999, and now I hold the position of Branch Manager for both firms.

Marriage

On the 5^th May, 1973, Joanne Carol Richter and I were married in the Langmeil Lutheran Church, Tanunda, We have lived in Tanunda all our married life, raising four children, Paula 1974, Adam 1975. Laura 1979, and Sarah 1982.

Church Life

Most of my out of work hour activities have been centred around church, I have held many and various positions within the Church. Joanne and I were actively involved in Youth Activities even after we were married. I joined the Langmeil Church choir in 1968, and still enjoy singing with them. I also sing with the Tanunda Liedertafel and the Barossa Boys choirs.

I have served as secretary of the Tanunda Lutheran Primary Executive Committee for 5 years, Vice-chairman for 2 Years, and Chairman for 2 years. During this time I was also secretary of the Tanunda Football Club for 5 years, as well as holding other positions with the club.

Travellers

In June 1988, Jo & I travelled to Brisbane with the Tanunda Liedertafel to take part in the Snagerfest, a choral festival for German singing choirs in Australia. We also stayed on and spent time with our daughter Paula who lives in Brisbane. In July in the same year we had a motoring holiday to Darwin with friends. Travelling is something we hope to do more of in the next few years.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Doris Gertrude KLAEBE nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Wonderful Childhood

Doris was born on Good Friday the 9^th April, 1936 and was Baptised in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church. She grew up in a family home having a wonderful childhood, having single Uncles and by people helping her parents, and also by being the first child in the family.

School

When 5¾ years old Doris commenced at the Caltowie Extension School in 1942. In 1944 the family sold the farm and moved into a lovely old home on the edge of the I Laura Township. After Laura primary school she attended Gladstone High, thoroughly enjoying this period, but in 1950 Doris had to spend three months at home to look after a 5 year old brother while her mother underwent an operation in the Laura hospital.

Employment

The parents decided that Doris leave school and go to work in the Office at the Laura Flour Mill. Doris stayed there till the latter part of 1953, when again she was told to go to work in the office of a hardware store in Nuriopta in the Barossa Valley.

Barossa Valley

The parents and family then moved to Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. Here Doris met Howard and they bought a block of land where they built a small cottage. On its completion she married Howard Albert Klaebe in the Langmeil Church in Tanunda on the 14th November 1959. Doris continued working until May 1961, when their son Stefen Albert was born, and at the end of the following year their daughter Francesca Gertrude was also born in Tanunda.

Outside Employment

In February 1967 Seppelts winery needed another person for 2 weeks, and this eventually became permanent. In 1968 they began to build a house onto their cottage. Doris then answered an advert and was chosen as an office worker by the Kaiser Stuhl Community winery at Nurioopta. At the end of 1972 she resigned, wanting to spend time at home with the two children and join in their school functions etc. After a while at home Doris I was asked to work a day every so often in the Tanunda Rest Home. The hours varied for the next 27 years that she spent there, and finally on 15th September 2000 she retired. (What a day.)

Husband Howard

During the time Doris was working, Howard was awarded the ‘Super Service 1984 at Hages’ This was an Australia wide contest, and this enabled them to have a trip to Vanuato in 1983 and a trip to Singapore in 1985.

In 1994 they did a trip with “Lutheran Tours” to Thailand, England, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Holland and Belguim.

Son Stefen

Their son Stefen completed his education, and after a number of jobs joined Orlando Wines and was instrumental in Howard getting a position there too. Howard wanted to give away being a mechanic.

Daughter Fran

Daughter Fran completed her education and in 1973 she applied for and was accepted to become a Junior School Teacher.

Retirement

Howard retired on 31st December 2002. They now have five grandchildren. Adrian, Jeromy, Trudy, Julius and Lyndall.

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Children of Doris and Howard

Stefen and Francesca

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Herbert Edwin SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Church and School

I was born at Sandleton on August 12^th 1931. Was Christened in the local Lutheran church. Near the church was the school, this I commenced going to in 1938 and for another 3 years. The School then closed due to lack of numbers, finally I completed my education by correspondance lessons in 1945.

Work

After completing my education, I helped my father on the farm until 1956, when I bought my own farm in the Sandleton district, which I have to this day. Besides farming, I did casual work, such as fencing, woodcutting, shearing, and truck driving in the Truro Blanchetown area.

Marriage and Home

On 19^th. May 1962,1 married Jennifer Phillips who came from Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide. In the same year we built our house on the Old Sturt Highway, Nurioopta, in which we still to this day.

Also in 1962, I began working at the Angaston cement works. This I did for 20 years

Family

Both our daughters Debra and Sharon were born in Angaston.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Gordon Roy SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Childhood

I was born at Sandleton on 27th December 1928. I lived with my parents and brothers on the farm at Sandleton. I was christened in the nearby Lutheran Church, and this was also where the family went to Worship.

I commenced school in 1936. This was near to the Church, but unfortunately this closed in 1941, due to lack of numbers, so then I had to complete my education by correspondence lessons.

Confirmation

I undertook Confirmation lessons, this was given by Pastor Bartholomew at Stonefield, often riding the bike the 10 miles to attend these lessons. I was finally Confirmed on 31/10/1943 at Stonefield.

Farming

After leaving school, I with my brothers helped the parents on the farm,which consisted mainly growing wheat and with sheep. In the late 40’s I went to the Barossa for the grape harvest for 3-4 years, and later in the 50’s for a period did some grape picking.

Retirement

Dad died in 1957, Mother 1964, thus Les and I continued running the farm till 1976, when I retired to live with my Sister-in-law Edna on the Nurioopta/Angaston road. I kept an interest in the farm, occasionally going to help brother Les’s son, Michael who now owned the farm.

Gordon died on 2nd December 2002.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Richard Gustav SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Birth and Baptism

Richard was bom at Caltowie Extension on 18^th June 1898. He would have been baptised, confirmed and, with his parents, attended church at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church.

School

He went to the Caltowie Extension School, this he attended until he was 12 years old.

Tragedies

He lost his Mother and young Sister, in early 1908, this was a great loss to the family. After leaving school, he helped his father on the farm.

Farm and Marriage

In 1921 he bought his own farm which was located about 6 miles east of Laura. Richard on the 16^thApril 1925, married Hilda Saegenschnitter.

He continued to work this farm until he had heart problems in 1939. He then sold all his implements and horses, he then share-farmed, until November 1945.

Barossa Valley

He sold the farm and went to live in the Barossa Valley, at Nurioopia. Here worked at the Viticulture Station until his retirement in 1965.

Adelaide

Richard and his wife Hilda went to live in a granny flat at the rear of their daughter’s home in Adelaide. Hilda passed away on 28th October 1979. Richard remained with his daughter until early 1981, when he went into the Fullarton Lutheran Homes. He passed away on June 15th 1983. Both he and Hilda are buried in the Enfield cemetery.

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Edna Gladys CURTIS nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Births

I was born at Laura on 14^th July 1926. Baptised at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church 15th August 1926. God parents were Rita Becker, Elsie Lange and Ben Saegensachnitter.

Learning

I commenced my education at the Caltowie Extension School in 1933, then to the Stone Hut School in 1934-35, and then 1936-39 went to the Laura School.

I was Confirmed in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church on November 10^th 1940

Farm to Barossa Valley

On leaving school I worked with my parents on the farm until 1945, when the farm was sold and with my parents moved to the Barossa Valley, firstly to Stonefieid. I stayed with my Auntie Lydie Evers. Then in March 1946, my parents rented a house in July 1950 in Nurioopta, while they had a house built on the Old Kapunda Road. I then went and lived with them.

Marriage and Piccadilly

On August 12th 1950 I married Clarrie Curtis at Nurioopta, and from there we went to live at Piccadilly in the Adelaide Hills. The purpose of going to Piccadilly was for Clarrie and I to live in Clarrie’s father’s house there, this became Clarrie’s an on the death of his father in 1958. We lived there with our family until 1965, the older children were then ready for further education, so it was more beneficial for us to move to Adelaide.

Adelaide

We bought a house in Brooklyn Park in Adelaide. It is here we still live today.

My parents came to live with us in June 1965, they moved into our granny flat, until Mum passed away in October 1979. Dad remained here until January 1981, when he went to the Fullarton Lutheran Homes until his death in 1983.

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Children of Edna and Clarence:

Bevan, Kelvin, Adrian, Charmaine and Shane.

Grandchildren:

Mathew, Danielle, Jarrod, Arron and Shaun.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Leslie SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Twin

Leslie was born at Sandleton on 27th December 1925, a twin to brother Eric. He was christened at Sandleton Lutheran Church, and with the family attended Church there.

Education

He went to the local school, this was adjacient to the church, completing Grades one and two in the first year, and finally gaining his Q.C. in 1941. With brothers Eric & Colin he received religious instruction, they were Confirmed by Pastor Reidal on 20/4/1941.

Family Farm

After leaving school he helped on the family farm. This consisted mainly of sheep and wheat, as well as cutting wood which was then sold. Later for a short period Leslie went to the Riverland for grape picking.

Marriage

After marrying Edna Schiller in 1962, they went to live in nearby Neales Flat. In 1970 the couple moved to Nurioopta/Angaston Road, leaving their son Michael to continue to the running of the farm on behalf of the brothers Les & Gordon.

Passing

Les died in 1975, after a few years of heart problems. He is buried in Light Pass cemetery.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Eric SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Twin

Eric was born on 27/12/1925 at Sandleton. He and his brother Leslie were twins. He would have been christened at the Sandleton Lutheran Church and attended church there with his parents.

Education

He with Les attended the local school which was adjacent to the Church, believed he gained his Q C with brother Les in 1941. Eric with brothers Ives & Colin undertook religious instruction and were confirmed by Pastor Reidal on 20/4/1941.

Home Farm

After leaving school with his brothers, helped his parents in the operation of their farm, which consisted of wheat & sheep, as well as cutting wood for sale.

Riverland

Eric shifted to the Riverland on leaving the farm, where he met and married Barbara Perry in 1951. He bought a vegetable property on what the locals call the Ridge. Here he grew a variety of vegetables, such as peas, tomatoes and pumpkins.

While still owning the block, Eric took a job with the then P.M.G,. Then he sold the block in 1964 and the family moved into the township of Barmera where they lived until shifting to Loxton in 1975.

During this time Eric moved around the state, to places such as Cleve, Jamestown (where the family lived with him for 9 months) Tailem Bend, Lameroo, and finally Loxton. Eric did this to improve his job opportunities in the P. M. G. (later Telstra). He eventually reached the top of his career which was Manager of the lines section in Loxton, until he retired at the age of 61 and a half years.

Retirement

Eric continued to live in Loxton doing a lot of charity work with the church, Loxcare and St Johns Ambulance until he died in 1990 aged 64 and a half years.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Colin Edgar SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Sandleton

Colin was born at Sandleton on 29^th. 1927. He was the third son of Meta & Bert. He would have been Baptised at the local local Sandleton Lutheran Church, and with his family attending services there.

Education

Colin with his older twin brothers, attended the local school, which was adjacent to the church, and believed he completed his education in 1941. After receiving Religious instruction, Colin with brothers Eric & Les were confirmed by Pastor Reidal on 20/4/1941.

Farming

On leaving school ,with his older brothers helped on the family farm, which consisted mainly of sheep and wheat growing. This was supplemented by cutting wood, which was sold, as well clearing further ground for farming. It is thought that the brothers did supplement their income by grape picking, during the farm offseason.

Marriage

While attending Lutheran Young People groups, Colin met Joyce Lowke, they were married on the 23 rd. January 1954. A few weeks after their marriage the couple bought a house in Angaston. A short time later Colin commenced work at Adelaide Brighton Cement Company, he was there for 34 years, which was for the remainder of his life.

Church

Colin was a faithful member of Light Pass Immanuel Church, where he was a Lay-reader for 21 years, he also served on the Hall committee, church council and as an Elder. Colin was a foundation parent of the Good Shephard Lutheran School at Angaston, where he served as treasurer for 12 years.

Passing

Colin enjoyed good health for most of his life, but unfortunately passed away, on his way to work on 7^th. October, 1988, aged 61 years. His funeral was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Light Pass. He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Johannas CARL SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Caltowie Farm

Carl was born at Laura on the 16*. November 1914. He was Baptised, Confirmed and with the Family attended worship the Pine Creek Lutheran Church.

Carl went to the Caltowie Extension School, after completing his primary education, he with brother Eddie helped on the family farm. This continued until the death of his Father in 1931.

Immanuel College and Seminary

Some time later Carl went to Immanuel College, (then located in North Adelaide), for his secondary education, then hi 1937, commenced in the

Seminary, but unable to master languages, came back to Caltowic and stayed with his brother Albert, which he

probably helped, and perhaps even his brother Richard.

Marriage and War Service

Carl joined the Armed Services in WW2. While doing his training, through a friend he met Hilda Ellen Johnson. Hilda was born on 13th August 1918 and came from Cheltenham. They got married 15th December 1941.

A short time afterwards Carl was posted overseas. Carl served in some of the bitter campaigns in New Guinea, mainly at Banu and Sananda with 2/10 Australian Infantry Batallion. He was serverely wounded on 26/12/1942. After he was missing for a month, the Fuzzy Wuzzy’s brought him into an American Hospital. He was brought back to Australia and spent 8 months in a Repatriation Hospital.

Carl was then sent to Loveday, and with his fluency with the German language he was of great assistance during the inquiry which followed the sinking of the HMAS Sydney by the German raider Kamoran, and the capture of its crew and with their internment in South Australia at Loveday. He was finally discharged in 1945.

ALP and Trades Union

Hilda and Carl went to live at Beverly, there raising two children. After his discharge, he joined the Waterside Workers Federation, and he became very interested in trade union matters. He served for many years on the Branch Committee, and became a Delegate to the ALP and Trades and Labour Council. He was appointed as a full time officer, afterwards playing an important role in bringing about many changes in the industry.

Boomerang Club

Carl also served as a leader for many years on the Kilkenny Primary School Committee, later as secretary of the Booomerang Social Club, where he raised large sums of money for the ALP and their new Trades Hall.

Carl finally passed away on the 10th November 1977, and he was laid to rest in the Cheltenham cemetery.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Ida Pauline KARGER nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Childhood

Ida was bom on the 11th October 1921 at Caltowic Extension. She was Baptised at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church. Ida also attended there for Worship with her Parents and Brothers and was also Confirmed there.

For her education she went to the local Caltowie Extension School.

Death of Father

After leaving school, Ida helped her family on the farm. Unfortunately her Father died when she was only 10 years old. This left the Mother to continue the farm operation with the help of the three children.

Move to Laura

In 1946 the farm was sold and Ida with her mother and brother Eddie moved into a house in Laura. Her Mother finally passed away in early 1951, thus leaving Ida and Eddie to continue to live there. Sometime later Eddie bought his own house in Laura.

Marriage

Thus Ida continued to live there on her own until she married on the 10th November 1961 Gordon Karger, in a ceremony conducted in the Laura Lutheran Manse. Unfortunately after nearly 25 years of marriage, Gordon passed away. He is buried in the Laura cemetery.

Booleroo Centre

Ida continued to live on her own, when she finally sold the house to move into a unit. In January 1996 she, due to poor health finally moved to Booleroo Centre Nursing Home. In October 2001 she celebrated her 80^th Birthday.

Ida passed away 23rd February 2003 and was buried in the Laura cemetery.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Edgar Paul SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Caltowie

Eddie Saegenschnitter was bom at Caltowie on the 15^thDecember, 1910. He lived with his parents on the Section 337 in the Hundred of Caltowie.

Eddie would have gone to church at the Appila Pine Creek Lutheran Church, been Baptised there and Confirmed. His education would have been at the Caltowie Extension School, how long Eddie would have gone for is unknown. On leaving school he helped his parents on the farm. His Father died in 1931. Eddy Continued on with his Mother and sister until the farm was sold in 1946.

Laura

They moved into a house in Laura, until the Mother’s death in 1950.

Sister Ida continued to live there until her health needed extended care.

Eddie in the meantime had purchased a house in West Terrace, Laura. He had also developed his business interests in the town and district. This consisted of doing contract milk carting for Golden North in Laura, wood carting in the district and also carting children from Laura and district to the Gladstone High School.

Laurie and Zella Kotz

In 1956, he invited Laurie and Zella Kotz to come and live with him, Laurie at this stage was working for Eddie. Zella looked after Eddie’s welfare, such as cooking and doing his washing.

Bus Driving

Later he was using two buses to cart children to Gladstone, one belonging to Eddie, the other to the Department of Education. On most Saturday nights Eddie would cover his truck with canvas and using bench seats, and then take 20 or more people to the various dances in the district

Death

Eddie died in August, 1969 and he is buried in the Laura cemetery.

On his death Eddie left his house to Zella and Laurie.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Linda SAEGENSCHNITTER

Biography

The following article was written by Linda for the late Dean Saegenschnitter, who collected and compiled Before and After, a Family History of the Saegenschnitter descendants of Auguste Emilie Lydia Becker and Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter.

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the following article.

Births

I was born at the Nurioopta hospital ( which no longer exists ) and baptised at Salem Lutheran Church, Penrice by the late Pastor F J Lehmann on the 3rd June, 1934, my Sponsors were Gertie Graetz, Elsa Saegenschnitter & Gerhard Saegenschnitter.

School

I grew up on my parents farm which was used to grow wheat and grapes at a place called Moppa, 4 kms west of Nurioopta. My schooling days were at Nurioopta Primary School. When I first started, my Father had to take me on his bike in the mornings. I walked home after school.

In mid year Dad bought a second hand bike from an Uncle whose family had no more use for it. After learning to ride it, I then used to ride to school with sister Dulcie, thus saving Dad from having to take me anymore.

Weekends

I had a good and happy home life. Went to Nurioopta Lutheran Sunday School, as Penrice had Saturday School and it was too far for us to ride our bikes.

I always enjoyed our Sunday trips, several times a year, going down to the Murray Fiats, to visit Aunts, Uncles & Cousins at Sandleton, Stonefield and Towitta for the day. It was usually an early start at 7.30 taking two and a half hours to get there in the older type tourer cars, which compared to today’s modern cars would do it in half the time.

Confirmation

My Confirmation lessons in 1948 were at Angaston, so I rode my bike 4 miles to Angaston every Saturday morning, and these started at 9.00 a.m. After Confirmation lessons I attended Saturday school, this commenced at 10.30 a.m. Seeing I was the only one to be Confirmed from Penrice, I was Confirmed in Angaston with the class of 5 young people, plus myself on October 24th 1948 by the late Pastor Norm Sander.

1949

After leaving school, I helped at home, also did some grape picking at home and for neighbours. In the beginning of 1949 went and worked in Nurioopta house cleaning for people, my wages were 2 shillings per hour ( 20 cents). As the year went on I got more jobs in house cleaning, also some places I did the washing and ironing.

Neukirk and Nurioopta

In June 1949 Dad sold the mixed farm and bought a small place at Neukirk 10 kms north from Nurioopta, so I had to ride my bike a bit further to go to work. For several years I went and lived with an elderly lady, Mrs Lehmann in Nurioopta, she was a mother-in-law to one of the ladies whom I worked for.

In May 1953 my Mother passed away, so I went back home and looked after Dad, but still rode into Nurioopta and kept some of my house-keeping jobs, four days a week. In June 1955, Dad passed away following a stroke, so our home was sold at Neukirk.

For some months I lived with an Uncle and Auntie in Nurioopta, continuing with house cleaning. In September 1955, 1 finished my jobs of house cleaning and left Nurioopta, then going down to Bow Hill to my sister Dulcie & Husband Bob to live and help picking peas for some months.

In November 1955 I went to help a family at Lameroo until mid January, then I went to work for a family, who had a baby at Light Pass. Also worked at several other families where babies were born at Tanunda, Angaston and Perponda.

Adelaide

At the end of January 1957 I started at Immanuel Seminary at North Adelaide (now Luther Seminary ) staying there for three and a half years. Then I went to Burnside hospital as a Nurses Aide, but only lasted 6 months. I enjoyed the nursing and looking after patients, but didn’t like shift work. So I applied for a job advertised in the Lutheran Herald (now ‘The Lutheran’) for the job as Assist. Matron at the Horsham Lutheran Rest Home.

Victoria

In January 1962, went to Victoria and commenced at the Rest Home. During that year, I went down to Melbourne and worked a Private Hospital in Toorak for some months.

South Australia

Early in 1963 came back to S.A. again and worked in a number of homes with house-work and vine-yard work.

Cook

In November 1963 I became a Cook at Lutheran Girls Hostel at College Park. The Hostel was for young girls from the country to board at while going to Teacher’s College, Uni and working in Adelaide. I held this position for 7 years.

Parliament House

I then gained a position at Parliament House as a domestic but after 3 months became the Cook, this I remained at for nearly 23 years, till I retired in May 1993.

Retirement

I enjoyed working at all my places of work, making many friends. Now I live in retirement in a unit in Hope Valley, which I purchased in 1981. I now do voluntary work several days a month, plus I enjoy going out for lunch, joining girls that I have worked with.

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© Dean Saegenschnitter

Stella Irene SCHULZ nee Saegenschnitter

Biography

The following biography is the work of the late Dean Saegenschnitter, who collected and compiled ‘Before and After’, a Family History of the Saegenschnitter descendants of Auguste Emilie Lydia Becker and Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter.

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Early Years

I was born on the 20th August 1937, in Nurioopta. and Baptised at Salem Lutheran Church, Penrice on September 12th. 1937, by the late Pastor F. J. Lehmann. My Sponsors being Gustav Saegenschnitter, Gertie Saegenschnitter and Flora Henske. My parents were members at Penrice until 1949. For Sunday School we went to Nurioopta. I started my education at the Nurioopta Primary in 1944, riding a bike there and back, I finished at Nurioopta in 1949, when Dad sold the property at Moppa we then moved to Ebenzer.

Ebenezer

In 1950 I went to Neukirch Lutheran School to finish year 7. After moving to Ebenzer the Family joined St. Johns Lutheran Church, Ebenzer. In 1950 I had confirmation lessons at Light Pass, riding my bike every Saturday morning. This instruction was combined with the Light Pass class. I was Confirmed at Ebenzer Church on the 19th November 1950 with two other children.

In 1951 I commenced High School at Nurioopta, riding my bike 4 miles to get there. Finally left school at the end of that year.

Family Care

In 1952 I did some grape-picking for neighbours, and in May of that year started working for the Spanagel family, looking after their family while the mother had a new baby, staying there till 1955, and then moved to Brinkworth to help two other families, also at Blyth. In 1958 moved to Nurioopta to help another family.

Nursing

In September, 1958 I started nursing at Eudunda Hospital, after completing 2 years, I then transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, but only staying for 7 months. In October 1961 I started nursing at the Tanunda Rest Home as a Nurses Aid.

Marriage and Farming

While at Eudunda I got to know Dennis Schulz, and on 9th February 1963 we were married in Langmeil Lutheran Church, Tanunda. Dennis and I now lived on a farm at Hamden, and there we milked cows, had fowls, pigs, and as well Dennis did some cropping. The dairy was a 10 unit walk through style, milking 20-30 jersey cows. At that time we were selling the cream, and the separated milk was fed to the pigs. Dennis would buy sucker pigs from the local markets and feed them up to baconer stage, before selling them.

The Dairy

A few years later we changed to selling the milk, so we then increased our dairy herd, at that time milk was transported in cans, this was collected on the road side by 8.30 a.m. by truck. In Augast 1971-72 we went into bulk milk, the milk was held in a vat with 2000 litre holding capacity. The milk was collected every second day by a tanker. At this stage we were milking between 80-90 cows.

In 1980 Dennis and the boys started building a herring bone dairy, this took a few years to build, as they did all their own work. At this stage we had a mixture of Jersey & Friesian cows. At the same time we had 1000 fowls which were housed in cages, keeping the eggs in a cooling fridge, as the eggs were only collected weekly. We sold the fowls in 1980 and then increased our dairy herd.

In 1975 we built a new house on the farm, in it our second son Richard now lives. A new dairy was built in 2001. which is a herring bone rapid release, milking 100 cows an hour. Richard intends to milk 140-150 cows.

Retirement and our Family

In 1995 Dennis and I had our semi-retired home built on our property not far from the farm.

Dennis still helps on the farm.
Our first son, Allan has a farm out east of Eudunda at Neales Flat, there he has pigs and does cropping. Our only daughter, Karen, lives at Para Vista, while the youngest son is a bricklayer and with his wife Julie live in Brisbane.

We hope to do a bit more travelling, mainly to see more of Australia.

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by Dean Saegenschnitter

Rita Erna LAMBERT nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Pompoota and Murray Bridge

Rita was bom on 12th October 1930 at Murray Bridge, growing up at Pompoota where her Parents had a dairy farm. As with her brother, she went to the Pompoota school, leaving when 13 years old, to help on the farm and in the house, as her mother was sick for a long time, and often in hospital. Her parents sold the farm in 1947, moving to Murray Bridge, while waiting for their house to be built, the family spent some time visiting relatives in the mid-north agriculture region.

While living in Murray Bridge she had a few part time jobs, but most of the time was spent looking after her mother. Following her mother’s death and her brother’s marriage in 1953, she left home and moved to Adelaide.

Adelaide

There she worked at Mareeba Babies Home, later at the Railway Station as a waitress in the dining room, living on the premises. She vividly remembers the earthquake on the 1^st March 1954. They were trapped, because the lift would not operate, and being scared of after shocks, she stayed at her Fiance’s place.

She married Roy Lambert in September 1954 in Adelaide. They had a family of a daughter and twin sons. Rita worked most of the time during the marriage. Many years later, when the children were older, the couple separated, later divorced. Following the divorce, Rita changed her name by deed-poll to Connery.

She continued to work until involved in an accident, and following this, was unable to continue to work, so finished up on an invalid pension.

Retirement

For a time she lived at Woodville, finally in January 1989 moved to a Trust unit at Ridgehaven, just north of Tea Tree Plaza, here she remained, but having to battle poor health, she finally, quietly passed away at home on the 5^th March, 2001. She was laid to rest in the Enfield cemetery a few days later.

by Dean Saegenschbitter

Dean Hedley SAEGENSCHNITTER

Autobiography

The following autobiography is the work of the late Dean Saegenschnitter, who collected and compiled ‘Before and After’, a Family History of the Saegenschnitter descendants of Auguste Emilie Lydia Becker and Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter.

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

LAURA
I was born at Laura on the 10th July, 1928. Living with my parents who had a small farm in the Caltowie district in South Australia. I was Baptised at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church by the late Pastor Ern Stolz, just a few weeks after his induction into the Parish.

POMPOOTA
In 1929 the parents sold the then too small farm and then purchased a dairy in the irrigated settlement of Pompoota, located between Mannum and Murray Bridge. Besides milking 30 odd cows they also had 300 fowls and a small number of breeding sows, selling the young from the sows as suckers.
I attended the small school at Pompoota, completing my Q.C. in 1941. Then leaving school to help on the farm, this was to offset Mums poor health. In 1942 I attended religious instruction at Murray Bridge, and then confirmed on 1st November 1941 by Pastor John Doehler.

MICE AND RABBIT PLAGUES
During 1943-44, which were drought years, we suffered mice and rabbit plagues, this had one good aspect, it enabled me to trap the rabbits, selling skins and carcases. The return from this enabled me to buy my 1st. bike, thus enabling me to go to Murray Bridge to the pictures on some Saturday nights, a trip of 15 miles each way.

DAIRY
After milking the cows, the milk had to be carted to a wharf about one mile away, here the cans of milk were collected by boat for delivery to the Farmers Union factory at Murray Bridge. This was collected twice daily during the summer months and once during winter months. This boat also delivered any produce for the various farmers, for us, butter, cheese. meat, fowl feed and super.. The river collection ceased in 1944, being taken over by a truck at the dairy door.

MURRAY BRIDGE

In 1947 the parents sold the dairy, due to Mum’s poor health, we moved to Murray Bridge, there having a house built. Dad went to work in Farmers Union factory in the boiler room. I later joined him there, but going into the milk receival area, so one day I were sending, the next receiving. As time progressed I moved into various areas such as casein making, powdered milk and finally cheese makng. Starting as a factory hand, then cheesemaker, and then assistant foreman.

FOOTBALL
In 19481 joined one of the local football clubs, there to play a sport I greatly loved, prior to now never had any opportunity to learn or participate. This I thoroughly enjoyed. It was here that I met a fellow who was getting married, he asked me to be his Best-man. It was through this I met Ronda Cooper, she was the bride’s sister.

MUM

Mum after long health problems, finally passed away on august 1952, she was laid to rest in Murray Bridge.

MARRIAGE

In October 1952 Ronda and I became engaged, then married on the 14th. February 1953 by Pastor John Doehler, in the Swanport Rd. Lythcran Church. Later that year we bought a 2 roomed dwelling with an enclosed back. Dad then came to live with us, but unfortunately was unable to cope with with the loss of Mum, he ended his life in October 1953.
In the beginning of 1956 I added more rooms to our dwelling, this was needed for the additions to the family. The first of our daughters arrived on 5th November 1954, the second on 29th July 1956, and the 3rd. on the 3rd November 1958. All were bor in Murray Bridge, and all were baptised by the same Pastor and in the same church that Ronda and I were married in.

WORK AND PROMOTIONS

In early 1961 I was offered a job at Moorak, just south of Mount Gambier, by Farmers Union, This was a promotion. Initially boarding till a trust home became available for us. This took place in May 1961. The two older girls went to the North Gambier primary school. Our fourth daughter was bom on 26th December 1962. I stayed at Moorak for 3 !/2 years, then to Kraft at Mil Lel for a few months, then to Glencoe for 13 months, this proved unsatisfactory, the opportunity came so I went back to Kraft at Mil Lel living in a company house. I remained here till I retired on 2nd. January 1992. I startedcd at Mil Lel as foreman cheesemaker, finishing in the position of Services Manager. I was responsible for all the milk collection in the South East and part of Western Victoria, its distribution to the four Kraft factories as well the Co-op.

OUR GIRLS

The girls all went to Mil Lei primary school which was about one mile away. Fortunately a school bus passed our front door so they travelled by this for their primary education at Mil Lei, and later their secondry, in Mount Gambier. The girls were all Confirmed in the Mount Gambier Lutheran Church. Some time after the youngest daughter commenced school, Ronda went to working in Mount Gambier 11 Kms away, firstly to a laundry, then Fletcher Jones, and finally Oaks Nursing Home. The last she enjoyed the most because of her ability in dealing with older people. She remained there until she was injured in ,1986.
After Ronda started working. we had our first real holiday, I took some long service leave, firstly going to see the youngest daughter who lived in Copely, then driving to Brisbane to see our 3rd daughter, then travelling down the east coast via Sydney, then to Canberra, and then home.

RONDA

During the time Ronda worked, we purchased a house in Klemzig. This later was sold and we bought another in Plymton Park. This was to have been for our retirement, but unfortunately Ronda in early 1988 was diagnosed to have Emphysema, finally ending her life on 12th August 1989. She was laid to rest in the Garden cemetery Mt Gambier.

MY LUCKY DAY

In 1990 I decided to sell the Plymton Pk home, and this enabled me to buy a Unit in the Tea Tree Gardens Retirement Village. This was finalised on the same day as Grandson Thomas Minge’s birthday, the same day I bought the car, this all taking place on Friday 13!h. 1990 which proved to be my lucky day. After aquiring the Unit I used it whenever coming to Adelaide. Actually in 1991 I came to Adelaide 13 times, up to my retirement.

MELVA

On the Easter weekend 19911 met Melva Fair, a widow in this Village, this progressed to her consenting to marry me. This took place on the 4th July 1992, in the Dernancourt Lutheran Church, the ceremony conducted by Pastor Ray Schmidt. Melva’s brother Les and my daughter Wendy were our witnesses. Melva and I have a lot in common, she was born at Mambray Creek which is on the western side of the Flinders Ranges. I was born at Laura on the eastern side, only a few miles apart, and both of us come from a farming background. The final aspect is that we both like Aussie football, and align ourselves to the same Club.
Both of us have become involved in Village activities, including committees. The Village presents plenty of scope, because of its size. We are very greatful to Our Heavenly Father to be given me another opportunity to form a Partnership, and living in a pleasant environment, which is mutually agreeable and giving us a contented and happy companionship. On the 4th. July 2002, we celebrate our 10th. Anniversary.

Paul Gerhard (Garry) ZWAR

Autobiography of Garry Zwar

Introduction by Kevin Zwar

When beginning a new Lutheran Parish in Gladstone in Queensland late in the 1960’s I became aware of a Garry Zwar who lived over 400 k’ms away in Brisbane. So I contacted Garry for information on our relatives and was able to visit him several times before we moved to the Warrnambool Parish in Victoria.

Garry was related to me through both my mother Rita Becker – and my father Edgar Zwar. In the Zwar Family we were only distant cousins, but Garry’s mother Bertha Becker was my Great Auntie through my mother Rita Becker.

Garry grew up in South Australia and then lived interstate in Victoria and New South Wales before he settled permanently in Queensland, where he lived for most of his life. In his many travels with his work over a number of years Garry visited more of our distant Zwar relatives throughout Australia than anyone else ever did! He often called on them and sometimes stayed with them.

The following account of his life is made up of quotes taken directly from his letters telling me about his life and our Becker and Zwar relatives. It is an Autobiography. I think it gives us a good overall picture of life with his Becker and Zwar family connections in the first half of the 1900’s.

Autobiography

“Dear Kevin,

Now to the chief items you wish to know:”

Mother

“Re my late mother Bertha M. Zwar, she was a sister to your grandfather Richard Becker – the late father of your mother Rita. She passed away in 1942 aged 67. Her birthday was July 7th.

Children

“Her children of six [actually 8 – K P Z]I happen to be the eldest.

1. Paul Gerhard Zwar born Oct 20th 1899.

2. Brother Edward Herrmann Zwar born Feb 7th 1902.

3. Alfred Zwar born Mar 30th – 1902

4. Sister Frieda M Zwar born Mar 16 – 1905

5. Sister Mary July 20 – 1906

6. Brother Rudolph – born Oct 23 – 1908”

[7. Martin – born Nov 8 1911 … K P Z

8. Conrad – born June 20 1914 … K P Z]

[from Letter: To K P Z from 37 Hawthorne St. Woolloongabba 4102. Jan 15 1979]

School

“My late grandmother taught me to read German when I was five so when I went to Ebenezer Lutheran School I was proficient in this. Still now “Wenn ich nür dass Englische nicht zu güt fort kann, spreche ich Deutsch.” Then when I was 12 I was sent to the Stockwell State School. We had a brilliant teacher from London who was afraid I could not pass an exam. I was determined to pass it he gave me three hours night school for months. Anyhow I passed the exam in six subjects – English, Arithmetic, Algebra, History, German which was no problem and one subject I forget. This with 18 months at this State School.” [Letter to K P Z Aug 31 1978]

Grandfather Johann Zwar

“I was 11 years of age when my good grandfather Johann [Zwar] passed away. As his house was only 2 chains from ours that is why I saw him nearly daily and so remember his various interests so well, also the last few years of his life he enlisted me to drive him to Tanunda occasionally as he had to cross 2 railway crossings as he was turning deaf. He would not have heard the train whistle. My grandfather Johann Zwar was born in 1821 died at 90 in 1911 when I was 11 years of age.” [Letter to K P Z Oct 17 – 1976]

“My late grandfather Dr John Zwar, my late mother liked him very much as also us kids.” [Letter July 19 and 24, 1976]

Becker Visits

“I am very happy to have had the pleasure to meet you and get to know you as after all we are also related as the Becker family descendants as your great grandfather the late Uncle Richard Becker was brother to my late mother. He used to visit us occasionally many years ago and we liked him very much as also Auntie Emma. We of course returned some visits to him. My late mother visited him 3 months before he died as she felt she wished to see him before he passed on. This of course was many years ago when I was a boy and … Henry Wegner who married Auntie Edel (my mother’s sister) told us that Uncle Richard used to have a ‘Star’ English motor car his first a late Readers Digest tells that a Star motor car … is now worth $30,000 in U S A as an antique.

The original (Becker) was Uncle Gunder as we called him liveda few miles from us a really lovely man cheerful always had a cheerful laugh and manner so of course was popular by everybody.

He was a brother to late Uncle Richard [Becker’s] mother. I believe he had 7 daughters, one son all of which had fairly large families only one daughter is still alive a lovely person now 83 – used to write to us frequently.

Also was glad to get to know each of late Uncle Richard’s brothers and sisters one Uncle Gotthold at Henty N S W. He had two sons good chaps both and one daughter.” [Letter to K P Z: July 19 and 24, 1976]

Rabbits

“As a teenager at our Ebenezer home we had [pet] rabbits Grey white and yellow in a cage on the farm. Whenever we were short of meat one of us used to shoot a few rabbits in adjoining vineyards.” [Letter to K P Z Aug 31 1978]

The Schliebs family

“The late Emil Schliebs and his wife (nee Schulz) had a family of six children all of which were good friends of mine. Their names from the eldest are Richard (about my age of 70) Alma who married my brother Eduard. Then Gerhard then a daughter whose name I can’t recollect married a Mr Woods at Nuriootpa then Ivy, married a Mr Miller near Truro last Leslie, a school teacher. Don’t know what Gerhard is doing now but Richard has his late parents farm at Muculta married a Miss Parbs?. Was a councillor for Angaston for some years.” [Letter to K P Z Feb 5 1970]

Interstate

“I left South Australia permanently in 1930 and 1939, and only paid very occasional visit to S. A. mainly to my mother and some immediate relatives and old friends between 1930 and 1939 – since only one in 1945 – since 1930 I travelled interstate to 1942 approximately 4 years each in the 3 Eastern States . So I have had very little personal contact with most members of the Zwar families in South Aust since 1930 except for a 100 or so cousins and friends visiting us in Qld over the years mainly from the Barossa my home district. When I was in Victoria for 4 years viz 1930 to 1934 I occasionally visited my Uncle the late Dr Bernard Zwar. Also spent many happy weekends with Mr H. P. Zwar and his sisters at Broadford, children of the late Michael Zwar, who was a brother to my grandfather Dr John Zwar of Ebenezer and your great grandfather Peter Zwar. Michael Zwar had 8 children [actually 11 – K P Z] however I only got to know four.…I’ve been more in touch really with this Victorian branch of the Z family since 1930 than the South Australian and still hear from a daughter of the late H. P. Zwar also saw her when visiting Brisbane a few years ago telling us all about her impressions of numerous world tours she had, also hear from one of his grand daughters occasionally.” [Letter to K P Z Feb 5 1970]

Immediate Family

“My own immediate family are poor and occasional corresponders, and often have to wait some years for a reply, although I am happy to say many of my cousins in the Barossa Adelaide etc write to us regularly. Also are happy to visit us when visiting Queensland, as we are also very glad to see them and usually visit Queensland during the Winter.Have not heard from brothers Alf and Rudi for some years, but from information Alf is in Adelaide and Rudolf stays with Wasyl Petaluk, husband of very late sister Frieda. Wasyl I learn is again married. Wasyl, I never knew him at all,Frieda used to write to us occasionally before she passed away.

Our Ebenezer family of my brothers and sisters valued and saved none [of historical papers] they were relegated to a heap and burnt . I could not carry them with me in my extensive travels all over Sth Aust, Victoria, N S W and Qld travelling about 50,000 miles each year.

I am glad you received a lot of information from Arthur Zwar he made a special hobby of records of the big Zwar family for years more so than any Zwar I know … he would be very reliable.” [Letter to K P Z: Feb 5 1970]

South Australian Visits

” I always stayed with Ben Gunder who has an 800 acre farm at Hornsdale. His late father was a cousin to your late grandfather Richard Becker. Ben is one of my best friends ever since we were together in the Barossa.Also I paid a brief visit to Aunt Emma [Becker], Rita’s mother who I always found a very lovely person to visit, met Rev Stolz there … and had pleasant chats with him for hours on Auntie Emma’s lawn one afternoon. Also spent one evening at your Auntie Mary (Mrs Shulz [Schultz]) who I always found a humorous and congenial person.” [Letter to K P Z Oct 17 – 1976]

Peter Zwar at Ebenezer

“You mentioned that your great grandfather Peter Zwar spent some years after he arrived in Australia with my grandfather at Ebenezer, and did carpentry jobs – maybe he made the doors and windows of the first church at Ebenezer which were of extra good workmanship and strong construction. My late father bought all the windows and doors of this original church when it was demolished and had them fitted into a 3 chain long wheat shed built of bricks and stone and held 2000 bags of wheat which still stands today as far as I know has double front doors which would be as sound today’s as when they were made. This very useful shed was built by an Uncle of the late Rev F Noack – Hermann Noack.Peter Zwar your great-grandfather I took to Moculta when a boy to visit a Koch family.” (Elisabeth Koch, a daughter of Peter – K P Z)

“I still remember a Karl Zwar who used to visit us some times at Ebenezer when I was a school boy a friendly man a brother to your grandfather Peter Zwar – quoting from memory.”

Toowoomba Friend

“I am also blessed with a wonderful [friend] who gives me genuine brotherly love even though he is not related is a dedicated Lutheran at Toowoomba Hume St Church visits me almost monthly, spends 2 days with me and is wonderful company kn own him for 40 years does jobs for me here is an efficient tradesman and reasonable in his charges. I could not find a better friend in the whole world.” [Letter to K P Z May 23 1976]

Victoria

“Just a bit re the Victorian branch of the Z family of the late Michael Zwar .… I spent many happy weekends at the three sisters at Broadford also at the house of H. P. Zwar, who was a most interesting personality, he was mayor of Preston for years, also chairman of 3 companies – also a State member for 12 years and considered one of the most popular personalities in Melbourne. He had a tannery at Preston which his son Hermann (who I also met at his father’s place) sold I am informed for 400,000 pounds some years ago.”

Association with the late H. P. Zwar

“His suggestions helped me a lot in my business owing to his much maturer experience in business. H. P. Zwar passed away at 85 years.

His brother Albert Zwar had a tannery at Beechworth Victoria … Albert was also a member in the Vic State parliament for 12 years.

Another, Charles Zwar son of late Charles Zwar Vic is a noted musician now in London.

The above elder Zwars were cousins of your grandfather Peter Zwar. They were well and favourably known in Victoria.”

Toowoomba Home

“We have a nice house in Toowoomba, now let, where we intended to live, however we could not stand the cold there in the Winter which is 3 degrees below Adelaide, so when you visit us here, don’t expect to find a posh house.” [Letter to K P Z Feb 5 1970]

Postcards

“Still have some colour postcards Uncle Bernard sent to my grandfather by B. Zwar in 1905.”

Piano and Organ

“My late Mother [Bertha] – sister to the late Richard Becker – learnt to play starting at 11 years of age and used to play our lovely organ at home every evening for half an hour also played the organ at Ebenezer and Stockwell Churches whenever their constant players went on holidays.I still remember [Del] playing one of my favourite ‘Under the Double Eagle” by Wagner. Mary used to play it every evening for half an hour, included Sacred Songs. I miss this and particularly Mary who was a lovely wife and companion.”

Newspaper Clipping from Garry

Education

“Sometimes the well educated with degrees today do not achieve as much as the self educated… the late H. P. Zwar Mayor of Preston Victoria for 12 years also State member for that electorate for 12 years put the labour man out for 12 years also director of 3 companies he had a very ordinary State School education mainly milking cows.

His son Herman sold his tannery for 600,000 pounds when a pound was worth a pound.

Mr. A M Zwar of Beechworth was a Country Party member for 12 years.

The late Bernard Zwar who could not speak English when he was till 12 at a Lutheran School – who ended up as one of the leading surgeons in Australia as acc. M.D. M.S. CBE. FRAC. S etc etc. In 1905 he was asked to represent Australia at the Berlin Medical Congress, and on return he gave lectures to professional Doctors in some Australian cities lecturing on what he had learnt there. I saw him last in Melbourne in 1942 always found him friendly to me. Also he sent some illustrated cards of the district in Germany where my late Grandfather came from. The Johann Zwar of Ebenezer of which I found a few. Dr Hermann Zwar I remember when he died unfortunately early in 1902 being then Surgeon at Clermont hospital at the time when Clermont was booming.

A Charles Zwar who got his legal LLB first then decided to make music his career used to play the Melbourne Town Hall organ for awhile prior to that. This is just to mention a few.

My late grandmother taught me to read German when I was five so when I went to Ebenezer Lutheran School I was proficient in this. Still now “Wenn ich nür dass Englische nicht zu güt fort kann spreche ich Deutsch.”

Then when I was 12 I was sent to the Stockwell State School we had a brilliant teacher from London who was afraid I could not pass an exam. I was determined to pass it he gave me three hours night school for months. Anyhow I passed the exam in six subjects – English, Arithmetic, Algebra, History, German which was no problem and one subject I forget. This with 18 months at this State School. Today unfortunately many graduates in medicine, law etc cannot get a job owing to the present depression. Even many educated pupils in Qld cannot even spell words correctly, according to C M Courier [Newspaper]. I may misspell some words in this letter owing to very poor eyesight.”

Zwar Vacuum Machine

Zwar Vacuum Machine – Keith Zwar

Name Plate – Kevin Zwar

Plunger – Kevin Zwar

“The [washing] machine is easy to operate by hand for a copperful for 5 to 7 minutes when I used to sell I took a boy with me to prove to customers how how easy it is to work.

The fact that [I] sold 15,000 with no complaints speaks for itself.” [ Letter to K P Z Aug 31 1978]

Catalogue

“I enclose a catalogue of the line I used to handle interstate from 1930 to 1942 ended up selling 15,000 units. But the war terminated our supplies in 1942.

G. Z.” [Letter to K P Z Feb 5 1970]

Warrnambool

“I know Warrnambool well as I sold 700 – 800 Zwar Washing machines in your city and District as including the towns and districts of Pt Fairy Camperdown Terang and Colac. At Colac I became friends with its leading solicitor P. Arundell M. A. L.L.B. who invited me to his house to have tea whenever I was in Colac. He could speak four languages but not too Good in German so after tea he invited me into his lounge to only speak to him in German so he could brush it up. He visited us on his annual holidays her [Brisbane] and at Toowoomba about 12 times. He was one of our very best friends.” [Letter to K P Z Aug 31 1978]

Re Western District Vic

“In 1932 The Western District of Victoria that is Colac, Terang, Camperdown, Warrnambool, Port Fairy etc had also had a good season enabling me to sell approximately 7 to 8 hundred Washing Machines at that time. Nine years later I paid a short visit to each of these towns met many old customers who were friendly by expressing the [good] purchase of their Washing Machines.” [Letter to K P Z Jan 15 1979]

Illness

“For 20 years local and interstate doctors specialists etc told me I had a tired heart. Dr Sheil after sending me to an Xray also an electrocardiograph specialist that my heart was O K but I had an unusual large hiatus hernia pressing against my vital organs thereby giving me long bouts of severe pain at my age then 62 an operation was ill advised the P. A. hospital will not touch it even today – that is to operate. [Letter to K P Z Aug 31 1978]

Wife

Wife Mary Zwar, two visitors, Garry Zwar (1969)

“Since the sudden passing of my dear late wife Mary 5 years on Feb 11 – she was a wonderful wife and companion for over 20 years. We were very happy throughout. She used to play sacred hymns on our lovely piano daily for half an hour and had a gifted singing voice. Now it is an empty house. Also I haven’t the energy to keep my house as tidy as a good wife can.

… I sincerely hope that this finds you in reasonable good health,

With Christian greetings to yourself, Del and family,

Yours Sincerely,

Garry [Letter to K P Z: Jan 15 1979]

Original Page of a letter in Garry’s distinctive handwqriting.

Gotthelf Benjamin RICHARD BECKER

Barossa Valley

Richard [the name he was always known by] Becker was born at Neukirch in the Barossa Valley of South Australia on 22^nd June 1870, the fourth of seven children of Auguste and Gustav Becker.

Appila

In 1872 his father bought section 75 of newly opened virgin land in the Appila district in the mid north of South Australia. I assume the family moved north soon after this land purchase when Richard was still a little child.

Schools

In 1775 a Lutheran School had been built on Joppich land in the Appila District and it would serve as the Lutheran School for the Lutherans in the District for almost 100 years. It is likely that Richard received some of his education in this school.

It is likely that Richard also attended school on a property [section 17 Appila] his father had purchased and where a building was used briefly, maybe only for several years as a school. There are no School records. Part of this section of land was bought by a Lutheran Congregation [Later part of the E L C A Lutheran Synod].

Loss of Parents

The family was linked to several different Lutheran Synods at different times. Richard’s father died in 1899 when Richard was 29 years old, followed by his mother three years later. Their gravestones stand in the Pine Creek Lutheran Cemetery, shared by Lutherans of different Synods.

Farmlands

The Land Titles to the Becker Appila District Properties, sections 16, 17 and 75, were taken over by Gotthelf Benjamin RICHARD BECKER on 31st January 1903, when he was 33 years old.

Church

At some point the Becker family had joined the Pine Creek Lutheran Church of Pastor Ortenburger [later U E L C A Synod]. In family letters Richard and his siblings report on the building of the new Pine Creek Church, opened in 1901. They could see the construction of the new Church from their home farm.

Marriage

On 3^rd October 1906 Richard married Emma Cecilia Zänker in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church near Appila. Emma was 21 years old and Richard 35.

First Child

In 1907 their first child Rita arrived. She was their only child to be born on this property.

Laura Farm

In 1909 the Newspaper recorded:

LAURA. September 23.

“On Tuesday the farm of Mr. G. E Becker, who has purchased land in New South Wales, was submitted to auction by Elder, Smith, & Co… It consisted of 446 acres, suitable for irrigation, in the Hundred of Booyoolie, about four miles from Laura. The purchaser was Mr. Richard Becker, and the price paid was 10 pounds 10 shillings per acre.”

Richard bought the property from his brother. This property became known as “The Willows” and is the central Becker Property in this Becker website.

The Willows

“The Willows was only a six room house when Richard Becker moved in. He added three rooms [on the Pine Creek side of the house]. The front room was built by a tradesman using fine sawn quality timber and professionally cut stone. Richard added the other two rooms himself, using rough timber. [This can be seen when one looks in the ceiling]. The walls were gravel and lime plastered to look like stone on the outside. The date 1922 was added to the outside of the front room – parlour / living room – after the additions had been put on. There were now nine rooms and eight of them had chimneys! [One of the chimneys was removed in later years.]

Richard also added the underground tank, the cellar next to it, and the room above the cellar that was used as a laundry, and included a bake oven and a small room on the Pine Creek end of this building.” … Rex Becker

Children

Five more children were born to Emma and Richard at the Willows: Eric in 1910, Frieda in 1913, Melvin in 1916, Linda in 1921, Lorna in 1926 and Rex in 1928.

Eric, Frieda and Rita Becker

The Orchard

Richard planned to turn an acre of the farm into an orchard. It would be irrigated with the plentiful stream of the Pine Creek fresh water flowing through the property and past “The Willows” homestead. On one side of the road that led into the farm from the main road, and nearly up to the homestead, he installed a windmill, and planted vines and a wide variety of fruit trees, and dug channels for the water to feed the orchard. Approximately ten acres that included the orchard and acres of lucerne were leveled for irrigation. The lucerne was prime stock feed for the horses and cows.

Salt

At some point the Pine Creek water became salty. There are several theories on the cause.

One is that an earthquake had released a lot of salt that washed into the small creek that became known as “Salt Water Creek”, and flowed into the Pine Creek on Weston’s property about three k’s north of “The Willows”. [This small creek began in what was originally Prior’s farm, then flowed through Peter [and later Ed] Zwar’s farm before entering the Pine Creek on Weston’s [later Ralph Zanker’s] farm.

Another possibility was suggested to me by Malcolm Ives, a friend of mine who has a Doctorate in Horticulture. I described the situation to Malcolm.

He suggested that the natural soil running along the sides of the creek had “perennial, deep rooted vegetation, including shrubs and trees. It had deep, absorptive soil, that kept the salt in check. When the soil was cleared for farming, ploughed up and maybe overgrazed, the soil profile on low flat land became shallow and concrete-like on the surface. Evaporation now led to surface salt residue from salt water raised by capillary action. This led to increased salt water runoff in rainfalls.

I think this could also have happened along many sections of the Pine Creek upstream of The Willows farm on the Appila plains.

Wherever the salt came from, it eventually ruined the irrigation project at “The Willows”. The family still enjoyed peaches, apricots and grapes at home, but not on a commercial scale.

The Barn and Sheep Yards

On the other side of the driveway into the Becker farm Richard built an open drain and a culvert to take rainwater runoff from the main road, to flow under the driveway and water the orchard.

Further along this northern side of the driveway there were many large gum trees, and at the house end stood the barn and the sheep yards.

The Barn

The barn had a wooden floor. It was used to store grain used as stock feed, and seed grain for the following year, as well as bagged fertilizer. Rex Becker said the only social event he could remember held in the barn was for a 21^st Birthday, possibly for his brother Melvin.

The Sheepyards

The Becker Barn and Sheepyards – later destroyed in 1941 Flood

The main road past the Becker farm was a wide three chain road

“and a government proclaimed stock route called the ‘Laura-Hammond Stock Route’.(… Rex Becker).

It was used by sheep drovers to drive their flocks of sheep through this area in the early days. Near the farm gate, on the Laura side, there was a small paddock fenced off so the drovers could leave their sheep in the paddock overnight.

The large barn by the sheep yards had a small room in it. The drovers would sleep in this small room in the barn.

The Barn and Sheepyards – later destroyed in 1941 Flood

“Richard always welcomed drovers to ‘overnight’ their stock here. Richard would spend half the night yarning with drovers.” (Rex Becker).

The sheep yards included a swim through sheep dip. Farmers in the district would bring their blocks of sheep to be dipped.

Adelaide Show Winner

Richard enjoyed entering competitions in the Shows with poultry and other live stock. His greatest win came in the Adelaide show in 1921 with his Clydesdale “Royal O’Groat”.

Adelaide Show Cup 1921

THE ANGAS CUP

“Fortis est Veritas” (‘Truth is Strength’)

(There is a coat of arms that looks like a lion and a snake with a worm in it’s mouth.)

“ROYAL A & H SOCIETY of S.A.
September 1921
CLYDESDALE ENTIRE
3 YEARS OLD
WON BY
R. BECKER’S
“Royal O’Groat”

Kookaburras

Once Richard mentioned in passing to a drover that his wife Emma was fascinated by kookaburras. Some months later the drover came by and handed Richard a pair of young kookaburras – still furry and not long out of their nest. The kookaburras became family pets. Melvin remembered that they ate lots of meat!

A tub was kept under the tap of a rainwater tank and they kept the tub full of water for the kookaburras who loved to bathe in it. One day the tub was half empty. The kookaburras went in for their bath and the water weighed them down and they drowned as they couldn’t get out of the tub.

Wedding Receptions

“The wedding reception for Rita Becker was held in the workshop! An extension was built on the southern side. It was to be temporary but was still there ten years later for Frieda’s wedding. Many years later Rex replaced the sliding doors and it still remains that way today!” …Rex Becker

The Well

On the bank of the Pine Creek and nearer the house Richard built a well, driven by a belt from a shaft at the top. Buried pipes took the water past the barn and into the fruit and vegetable gardens.

The Big Flood

The big flood in 1941 led to many changes. It washed the well, the barn and sheep yards away. Today there is still a mound covered with grass where the barn had stood.

New sheep yards and a shearing shed were built on the southern side of the house and farm buildings, near the round brick water tank and next to the a new dairy and cow yard.

Richard Becker

Richard had died five years before the Big Flood.

His son Rex said his father regarded German as God’s only language. He spoke English with an accent and loved to chat with his neighbor (Higgins) and the sheep drovers and other local farmers.

The Beckers showed horses in the Country shows. Their greatest thrill was the year their Clydesdale won the cup in the Adelaide show.

Rex was only six years old when his father died. All of his memories of his father are of him as a sick man. He remembers the doctor calling regularly to drain the fluids from his body, due to his Dropsy / Edema.

Amelie Lydia META SAEGENSCHNITTER nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed Biography

Childhood

She was commonly known as Meta, and was born on 26 June 1896 at Caltowie Extension. Meta would have been Baptised, Confirmed and attended church with her Parents at the Appila Pine Creek Lutheran Church. She probably went to the Local Caltowie Extension School, but it is unknown for how long.
After leaving school Meta helped her parents on the farm, but unfortunately the Family lost their youngest child and Mother in early 1908.

Teenager

Meta, with her older sister Hulda continued to look after their Father and brothers until the Father remarried in September 1909. Unfortunately this did not work with the new wife, so the Father took the two girls to live with Aunties of the Becker family, Meta with Auntie Bertha & Uncle Paul Zwar in the Barossa Valley.

Sandleton and Stonefield

Some time later when visiting Aunties in the Sandleton & Stonefield region, Meta met her future husband, Bert Saegenschnitter. They were married in the Sandleton Lutheran Church on February 18th. 1925.

The couple lived with Bert’s Father, and later the home had to be enlarged to cope with the growing family that included nine children.

After the death of Bert’s father, Meta & Bert continued to operate the farm, right up to their deaths, Bert dying in 1957 & Meta followed in 1964. Both are buried in the Sandleton cemetery. They had a family of nine boys. Their farm is still in the hands of their descendants.

Family

Three sons, Les, Colin and Eric Saegenschnitter on their confirmation day 1940 at Sandleton.

Altogether they had a family of nine boys, including

their seventh child, Reginald Percy, born 16th February 1933 at Sandleton, and died 30th December 1933 (Buried in the Sandleton cemetery):

their eighth child, Walter Alex Saegenschnitter, born 24th May 1934 at Sandleton, and died 20th November 1935 (Buried in the Sandleton cemetery):

their ninth child, Ronald Kevin Saegenschnitter, born 27th June 1936 at Sandleton, and died on 1st March 1937 (Buried in the Sandleton cemetery).

______________________________________

© ‘Before and After’

by Dean Saegenschnitter

Melvin Alfred BECKER

Detailed biography

Birth and Baptism

Melvin Alfred Becker was born on 24th August, 1916 at Laura, the fourth child of Richard and Emma Becker. Melvin was baptized in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Appila, on the 17th September. His funeral would take place in Laura exactly 97 years later on 17th September in 2013.

As a child Melvin grew up with 6 siblings, Rita, Eric, Frieda, Linda, Lorna and Rex.

School

Melvin began his schooling at the Pine Creek State School on 22nd January 1923 when he was 6 years old. He left after four years, at the end of 1925 on 17th December. Melvin began at the Laura State School with his older sister Frieda on 26th January 1926. He finished his schooling at Laura on 20th November 1929 when he was 13 years old.

Melvin Becker

Travelling to school by horse and cart meant not only learning the three R’s, but also tending to the horses.

Confirmation

Melvin’s confirmation classes were at the Lutheran manse, Pine Creek. As far as he could remember, he rode his bike or the horse, a distance of about 9 kilometres one way, three times a week to attend classes. He was confirmed on 16th November, 1930 with 7 other boys.

The Willows Farm

Melvin’s first working job on the home farm was stooking hay, and then feeding the sheaves of wheat into the chaff cutter to make feed for the farm animals. He also spent many hours walking behind the horse teams working the soil. This made for long and arduous days. Melvin was most pleased when his father built a seat on the implement, making land work much more comfortable.

Share-farmer

While still at home his neighbor Ern Wurst offered Melvin share farming work, which he accepted to help increase his income. At one stage he bought a tractor which made farming much easier. When asked by his daughter, Christine in his old age “How much horse power did it have?” he quickly replied “Not enough!”.

In-laws

As life progressed he was brother-in-law to Eddie Zwar, Anna Becker, Rheiny Wurst, Wally Bartsch and Grace Becker, and became an Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Music and Flood

During this time, Melvin was a member of the Pine Creek Band playing, we believe, a tuba or double bass. Unfortunately the instrument, along with all of his 21st Birthday presents, disappeared down the Pine Creek in the great flood in January 1941.

Marriage

28._Melvin_Becker_wedding._

Melvin and Alice Becker wedding. Rex and Grace Becker attendants.

On his birthday, 24th August 1950, Melvin married Alice Louisa Ottens. Melvin and Alice met several years earlier when Alice stayed at the Becker home for a youth convention. As the courting became serious Melvin, his brother Rex and a friend Arnold Wurst, would travel together to Brinkworth to see their respective girlfriends. Alice was delighted that Melvin was first to be dropped off and last to be picked up.

Home

Married life began living in a house built by the early settlers, on the farm that Melvin had been share farming. Seven years later when the neighbor decided to sell, Melvin and Alice bought the portion of the property they had been working. In 1964, Melvin and Alice moved into a new home they had built adjacent to the original house.

Children

The marriage was blessed with three children, Janice, Graham and Christine. Later the arrival of three grandchildren and then five great grand-daughters brought much joy to Melvin and Alice’s lives.

Farm Life

Farm life evolved over the years. The early years were cropping and sheep farming, supplemented by milking cows, initially by hand, and raising chickens to sell eggs and hens. When milk and egg regulations were introduced the farm became cropping and sheep only. Melvin and his younger brother Rex worked closely together to enable the farm work on both their farms to be carried out successfully.

Skills

Melvin was a hard worker and a skilled engineer and welder. This was evidenced by the improvements he made to the farm. These included building sheds, a shearing shed, sheep yards, the dip and other projects. An example of this skill was when Graham had returned from Whyalla to help on the farm. A “shortcut” from one paddock to another at about 9 pm one night with the Power Take Off Header, led to the P.T.O shaft being bent like a banana and some rarely heard colourful language from Melvin. After initially thinking the worst, several hours later their combined efforts had the P.T.O header back together and ready to go.

Gifts

Melvin was a kind and gentle man. He had a great sense of fairness and commitment to whatever he undertook. His faith in God was evident in his life through his love for his wife Alice and his children. Their wellbeing was always foremost in his thoughts and actions. His faith also led him to be involved in organizing the supply of grain to the Hermannsberg Mission in Central Australia in his earlier years, and later as treasurer of the Pine Creek Lutheran Church for 17 years.

Fond Memories

Melvin’s love for his family has led to the following fond memories from his children.

Daughter Janice

The Christmas Tree

Janice fondly remembers the Christmas tradition of Dad and Mum taking them to the Becker scrub, several days prior to Christmas Eve, to select a native pine for their Christmas Tree. The tree would be placed in the lounge, the doors shut and not opened until Christmas Eve. In later years they found out that Dad had greatly enjoyed helping mother with the decorating.

Fishing

Janice remembered how Dad had previously enjoyed fishing. When Glenn and Janice moved to Elliston they took him to Lock’s Well for Salmon fishing. He must have enjoyed it, as there was quite a climb down the cliff to the beach where there are now several hundred steps. Mostly they would come back with no fish so the steep climb back up hill wasn’t over burdening!

Grandchildren

When the grandchildren were young and they visited the farm, their grand-Dad would sit in the lounge chair after tea. It was never long before the children were leaning against the chair or sitting on his lap, quietly enjoying being in his company.

“I remember my Dad being most content and happy when he was farming the land with Mum by his side.” Janice

Son Graham

The House Roof

Graham remembers the mischief that was caused by himself, inadvertently through Melvin’s actions. When very young (about two years old), he had climbed up on the roof of their home to explore after Dad had forgotten to take the ladder away from the house while repairing the roof. This caused Dad and Mum some panic while trying to figure out how to get him down.

First Driving Lesson

When Graham was five years old, Dad was burning off in the paddock and had left him in the truck. Having watched his Dad change gears many times young Graham initiated his own first driving lesson. Dad was left very bemused to see the truck trundling towards him with no apparent driver!

Explosives

Farming was not always dull with Dad. Having decided to remove a small dead tree with explosives, their first attempt failed to detonate with Dad commenting “what a fizzer!”. After a suitable time the second attempt (now unintentionally a double charge), resulted in dirt and rock landing on the workshop roof, Dad running for cover and the tree stump sailing past the house into the adjacent paddock. The so-called small dead tree had to be removed from the paddock with the frontend-loader.

“Dad laid the foundation for my engineering skill and the knowledge I have now for which I will always be grateful.” Graham Becker

Daughter Christine

Farmer Helper

Christine remembers his strength, gentleness and patience when as a child she would sit on his lap in the big lounge chair after tea or when being hoisted over the gates while out in the paddock.

For a time as a child she took great delight in shaving him on a Saturday night and for nephew Paul, and nieces Karen and Alison’s benefit, “Yes, it was an electric shaver”.

Christine spent many happy hours in the paddock with Dad, helping him around the farm. “At times we had disagreements because I thought I knew better. Mostly he would know best and we would finish the project with laughter.”

Water Diviner

Dad’s ability to divine for water was a marvel to watch.

“The lasting memory I have is of the inspiring love and respect shared between Dad and Mum and his love and pride in his family.” Christine.

The 1980’s

During the 1980’s Melvin and Alice built their second home in Laura, moving there to allow Graham to live on the farm. During this time Melvin continued to go out to the farm to help Graham, made improvements to their house block in Laura, and enjoyed playing bowls on Saturdays.

Move to Adelaide

Melvin 90th Birthday and wife Alice

In 2006 Melvin and Alice moved to the Lutheran Retirement Village in Glynde in Adelaide. They enjoyed the friendship of good neighbours in their Court. Melvin’s interest in the land always remained. He would make several trips back to the farm every year.

The Last Year

In 2012 Melvin’s health started todeteriorate. He was cared for in the North Eastern Community Nursing Home, and for the last two months in 2013 at the LHI Glynde where he was cared for with great kindness by the staff of Flynn Ward.

With Janice beside him, Melvin passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday morning the 11th of September 2013, at the grand old age of 97 years, and seven years to the day of moving from Laura to Glynde.

Farewell

The Laura Lutheran Church was full for the funeral and farewell service led by Pastor John Gerhardy on 17th September 2013, 97 years to the day after Melvin’s baptism in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church near Appila. His godson Kevin Zwar read Melvin’s confirmation text, 1 Timothy 6:12-16, and the eulogy prepared by Melvin’s family.

This biography of Melvin Becker is completely based on the eulogy.

Heinrich Friedrich RUDOLPH WINTER

Detailed biography

A Life of Courage, More Courage and even Deeper Courage

Childhood

Rudolph Winter was born in the Winter home at Laura on the 2nd October 1890. He was the first child of Heinrich and Anna Winter. His early childhood was as normal as could be with siblings arriving regularly. Gustav came when Rudolph was 11 months old, then Sarah next about 15 months later, and Bertha 15 months later.

School

Rudolph had probably started school at Laura the year Ottilie joined the family, followed by Luise, another 14 months later and Adolph in June 1899. Rudolph was now nine years old and the eldest of seven children.

Tragedy

Then a tragedy struck the family, particularly for Rudolph, and this would affect the rest of his life. On 17th January 1900, when Rudolph was 9 years old, his parents wrote the following letter to her sister Bertha who had married Paul Zwar and now lived near Stockwell in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. The following is the first section and then closing words of the letter, and was translated from the original German by Chris Greenthaner.

Laura 17 January 1900 Gott zum gruss, [Christian Greetings], Dear Siblings,
                 We must write to you again. We haven’t heard from you for a long time. 
The last time was when your dear child was sick and I would very much like to know if he is better again. We’ve been through a lot in the last six weeks. Two of our children were very sick – Rudolph and Ottilie. We were hardly able to shut an eye for 22 nights, and the worst night of all Mrs Rohlach came and helped out. Rudolph was very cold for two days and a night and couldn’t speak any more, even when he would have had to. We had two doctors. The one from Gladstone had no idea what was wrong with the children, and the Laura one thought that they had been stricken by a stroke / apoplectic fit and that Rudolph must have had the influenza and must have got a severe cold together with that. He still can’t walk and his whole right side is paralysed. He can not lift his right arm at all and he crawls like a little child. Tilly is once again walking around. Last Sunday, eight days ago, there were people called here early, already by nine o’clock. In Laura it had been said that Rudolph was dead and they wanted to see him once more. Reichelts and Cleggets were here Sunday afternoon. They had also heard that he had died. But it was not so. The dear God had let them recover again. But they were frightening hours when they were so sick and when they screamed with pain – that was terrible. Now if only they would soon be completely recovered. Heinrich had the influenza as well, and the little one Adolph was very sick and after everything he was quite thin, but now he is quite energetic and has put on weight. Our little son was born on 20th June and is named Carl Alfred Adolph. … … . Please excuse my bad writing. I am so weak in my head, probably from the many full weeks [we’ve just been through]. So now we remain with sincere greetings to all, With love, Anna and Heinrich Winter.

Poliomyelitis

The severe illness that the doctors could not diagnose was poliomyelitis, the virus that would run rampant about 50 years later, causing temporary paralysis for some victims and permanent paralyses for others. For Rudolph it was permanent.

A Battle

One can scarcely imagine the trauma for not only Rudolph, but also for his parents and his 6 young siblings. Three more siblings arrived. Firstly Frieda in the same years the above letter was written, then Johan three years later and Carl 6 years after the letter, making a total of ten children when Rudolph turned 16.

COURAGE, MORE COURGAGE, AND EVEN DEEPER COURAGE

I think this heading describes the remainder of Rudolph’s life. With his right side paralysed, Rudolph persisted until he could talk and walk again. As an adult he would keep his useless right hand in his right hand pocket.

Skills

Rudolph taught himself to use his left hand with a variety of skills that included artistic pencil sketching and oil painting. He loved to give his paintings and sketches as gifts to his relatives and friends. P8230004

Wedding gift to Rita and Edgar Zwar 1930

P8230006

Work

With sheer determination he also managed to do hard farm work that included driving a team of horses.

Girlfriend

Rudolph found a girlfriend who dearly wanted to marry him, but she was an only daughter in a family of boys and her parents refused to give her permission to marry. Rudolf_Winter_home_441

Halbury House

His uncle Richard Becker helped Rudolph buy his own house at Halbury, and here Rudolph capably looked after his home and himself and lived a normal life in the community until his death in the Northfield hospital in Adelaide on 15th September 1964, just 17 days before his 74th birthday. By coincidence, my sister Rhonda nursed the girlfriend – in her last years – who had not been able to marry Rudolph. Elsie never married. © Kevin P Zwar

#

Photo Gallery

I would like to add a gallery of Rudolph’s paintings and sketches to this website as a special tribute to a person of great skill and courage and determination. The coloured oil painting by Rudolph featured above used to hang in the Dining Room in the “The Willows” Becker home near Laura. Rudolph gave his cousin Rita Becker and Edgar Zwar a painting on their marriage in 1930 and it hung in the Zwar Dining Room. It is now with the Glenn Zwar family. A member of the same family, I consider myself fortunate to have a fine pencil sketch by Rudolph of Mount Remarkable (in South Australia) that used to hang in our laundry on our home farm. I have had professionally help to frame it and it now has pride of place in my study in Melbourne. Mount_Remarkable_R_Winter

Mount Remarkable pencil sketch by Rudolph Winter

Rudolph Winter Drawing , a gift to Frieda Wurst nee Becker. …Ian Wurst

Painting by Rudolph Winter: A birthday gift in 1916 to his Uncle Richard Becker. Provided by Joy Wurst

Use ‘CONTACT US’ on this website to contact me and email me, or arrange to post to me, a photo of any of Rudolph’s sketches and paintings that you might be fortunate to have. I would feel honoured to make a photo gallery of his works that we could all enjoy.

A Winter Family History Book

For a wide ranging book of over 300 pages of information on the Winter Families in Australia

THE WINTER FAMILY FROM DÜRSCHWITZ TO AUSTRALIA

by Lyall Kupke and Collin Pfeifer [1985] copies are currently [2013] available from the Lutheran Church Archives in Adelaide for $15 [$25 posted]. Contact address: Lutheran Archives, 27 Fourth St, Bowden SA 5007 Tel/Fax: (08) 8340 4009 Email: lutheran.archives@lca.org.au

Agnes Cecelia BUCKLOW nee Noske

Detailed biography

Youngest Child

Agnes was the 10th and youngest of ten children born to Carl and Henriette NOSKE nee Leske.

She grew up in their home at the base of Hughes Gap (between Laura and Crystal Brook) in the mid north of South Australia. One can still see some stone ruins of the house among Pepper trees on the southern side of the highway at the base on the eastern side of the Gap.

We know little of Agnes’ childhood.

However we have an interesting event in her life recorded in the Port Pirie newspaper, The Recorder.

A Port Pirie Lady Swindled.

In last Saturday’s issue of the Recorder it was mentioned that a man giving the name of “ John Buckley” had been arrested in Melbourne on a charge of having defrauded a young lady of Port Pirie of certain sums of money.

The facts are that Miss Agnes Noske, of Port Pirie, has recently been receiving telegrams from Melbourne, signed “John Buckley” asking for money.

The name signed was that of a friend of Miss Noske, and, thinking that he might have met with bad luck and be in need of help, she responded to the call. Between Sept. 23 and 6th instant she sent two amounts of £1 10s and £2 neither of which were acknowledged; but when she received another telegram asking for £3 her suspicions were aroused, as she knew that Mr John Buckley would be most unlikely to seek assistance from anyone, as he was industrious and always in work. Moreover, he had relatives in Melbourne who would help him if he required aid.

Miss Noske mentioned to the police here that she thought someone was using Mr Buckley’s name. Detective Noblett made inquiries, the Criminal Investigation Department, Melbourne, was communicated with and Detectives Manning and M. Williams were detailed to looked into the matter. It was arranged that Miss Noske should send a registered letter addressed “ Mr John Buckley, Fitzroy Post Office,“ which was the office from which the suspected telegram had been des- patched. The detectives waited at the Fitzroy Post Office for three days before the man appeared. On Thursday he arrived, and asked for a telegram addressed to John Buckley. He was handed the registered letter, and was asked at the same time whether he expected it. He said he did, and formally claiming it, signed a receipt.

The detectives then approaching him, asked if he was John Buckley. He said he was. He was then asked to open the letter and read it. This he did and found that it set forth that the money would be sent if he required it, but for the sake of safety it would be addressed to his sister. The man who claimed to be Buckley was not able to tell the detectives the address of John Buckley’s sister, and began to flounder when questioned. He admitted having sent all the telegrams, and having received the money. He also admitted that he was not John Buckley, but said he had been authorised by Buckley to collect his telegrams and letters, but he could give no account of Buckley’s movements beyond the fact that he had travelled with him on a boat between South Australia and Melbourne. He was then locked up and charged with forging telegrams, and with obtaining a letter by false verbal representations.

Accused gave the name of Alexander Williams, and said that he had come over from West Australia for the Cup carnival.

Miss Noske, who was employed as a shop assistant in Port Pirie, left on Monday for Melbourne to give evidence.

The accused Williams was working on the wharfs here for over 12 months.

Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA : 1898 – 1918), Sat 31 October 1908, page 4

Marriage

Agnes and John Buckley were married in 1915 and would spend the remainder of their lives in Melbourne.

A Lively Character

The Bucklow Family: John, John and Agnes

Agnes was an interesting extrovert and made lively company. She would read ‘the tea leaves’ to foretell the future, and practiced phrenology, the reading of the ‘shape and bumps’ on people’s head to analyse their talents and charaterisitics. She herself had the gift of the gab, and her husband John had a very quiet temperament.
l_to_r_Agnes__John___John_Bucklow___Becker_

Agnes,‘Jack’ and John Bucklow on an outing in South Australia. Richard Becker in white coat.

The Beckers

Agnes had become close friends with her niece Emma Becker. There was only two years difference in their ages. Agnes would visit the Beckers at “The Willows”. Even after Agnes had married John Bucklow and she lived in Melbourne they made trips to “The Willows” in South Australia to visit the Becker family.
Bucklows_at__The_Willows__Becker_home

The Bucklow family on the Becker lawn at ‘The Willows’

Rita Becker

In about 1922, after her confirmation at the end of the previous year, Rita Becker went from “The Willows” to Melbourne for a holiday with her (great) Auntie and Uncle Bucklow in Melbourne. At this time the Bucklows had a shoe shop. They took Rita to the main tourist spots and visited Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges, St Kilda and the beach, and they had a day out and took the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff. Rita became friends with their young son John, about 10 years younger than Rita. The Beckers always knew young John as ‘Jack’. Rita and Jack would stay in contact for the rest of their lives.
Bucklows_outside_shoe_shop_doors

The Bucklows outside the Shoe Shop Doors

Golden Wedding Floods

In late January 1941 the Bucklows went to South Australia to celebrate the 80th Birthday of her sister Pauline Zanker at “The Willows”, but were held up by the worst floods in South Australia’s recorded history. The Pine Creek flooded and caused havoc to the Becker farm. It flooded through “The Willows” home to a depth of almost 2 metres. A few days after the floods subsided the Noske Family were able to get together and clear a space for a family photo at “The Willows”.
NOSKE_1941_80TH_birthday_001

“The Willows” 80th Birthday: L to R: Walter Noske, 4 sisters – Pauline Zanker (80), Martha Zanker, Emma Havelberg, Agnes Bucklow; standing – Ted Noske.

Fitzroy Hotel

(Built in the 1850’s. Originally called the “Leviathon”, then the “Renown”, and in 2013 is called the “Gertrude”. It is on the corner of Gertrude and Napier streets).

On 21st January 1925 the following notice appeared in the Melbourne newspaper:

“APPLICATION for TRANSFER of LICENCE

I, Jinnie Cannon, the holder of a victualler’s licence for Leviathon Hotel, at Gertrude street, Fitzroy, in the Fitzroy Licensing District, and I, John Bucklow, of 15 Johnson Street, Collingwood, hereby give notice that we will APPLY to the Licensing Court at Melbourne on Monday February 9, 1925, for the TRANSFER of the LICENCE TO THE SAID JOHN BUCKLOW. DATED JANUARY 30, 1925 JINNIE CANNON JOHN BUCKLOW”

This would have been an interesting experience as this is listed as Squizzy Taylor’s haunt in Fitzroy until his death in 1927. Rex Becker remembers his (great) Uncle John Bucklow telling him that he kept a baseball bat handy under the bar to help him keep order in the hotel!

The Argus newspaper Melbourne, 1934

HOTEL LICENCES TRANSFERRED

Renown, Fitzroy. Agnes C Bucklow to Clara Ellen Davidson. Universal Fitzroy. 3 Nov 1934

APPLICATION for TRANSFER of LICENCE I, Agnes Cecilie Bucklow the holder of a Victualler’s Licence for Renown Hotel at Gertrude St Fitzroy In the Collingwood Licensing District and I, Clare Ellen Davidson of 26 Alma rd Cam berwell hereby give notice thot we will APPLY to tho Licensing Court at Melbourne on Monday 12th November 1B34 for tho TRANSFER of the LICENCE to the sold Clara Ellen Davidson Dated 31st October 1934 AGNES CECILIE BUCKLOW CLARE ELLEN DAVIDSON

Other Interests in Melbourne

Melvin Becker recalled that John Bucklow’s sister had a Deli in St Kilda. There was a famous Chevron hotel on St Kilda road where a Bucklow was the manager for many years, and for a time I assumed this could have been John Bucklow, but after John’s death there were still advertisements in the newspaper for various staff and applications were to be made to Mr Bucklow at the Chevron hotel. John did have siblings in Victoria, but I have no information other than their names in a brief newspaper notice when they attended a family funeral. (K P Z)

Death of John Bucklow

8th April The Argus newspaper 1954

BUCKLOW, John. On April 6 (passed peacefully away), at his home, 469 Punt road, South Yarra, dearly beloved husband of Agnes, loving father of John, father-in law of Maxine, brother-in-law of Walter, Theodore, Martha, and Emma, aged 77 years, late of 327 High street, St. Kilda. (South Aus- tralian papers please copy.)

BUCKLOW. – The Funeral of the late Mr. JOHN BUCKLOW : will leave his home, 469 Punt road, South Yarra, THIS DAY (Thurs- day), at the conclusion of a ser- vice commencing at 2.50 p.m., for the Coburg Cemetery. W. G. APPS. & SONS.PTY. LTD..

Agnes Bucklow

I have no record of the death of Agnes. I would appreciate any additonal history of Agnes and John Bucklow. (K P Z)

Young John Bucklow

John Bucklow jnr.

John was the only child of Agnes and John Bucklow.

In 2012 Melvin and Rex Becker recalled that young ‘Jack’ Bucklow – as they knew him – had possibly grown up to be an artist and that maybe he had moved to Sydney.

On going through their sister Rita Zwar’s Birthday book 25 years after Rita’s death, her son Kevin noticed that she had included John Bucklow’s Sydney address in the back of the book. On a family visit to Sydney after Christmas Kevin hoped he might find someone in John’s street who might just remember John Bucklow. It was a long shot! Kevin’s daughter Heidi drove him to the street where he called on the house. When Kevin mentioned the name “John Bucklow” the owner said, “You should go next door and ask my mother as John used to live here and my parents knew him!” His mother was most helpful even though it had been maybe 30 years since John had been their neighbour. In the following weeks she emailed the following information.

From Alice, about young John Bucklow

“I have spoken to a neighbour who confirmed that John was an artist, as he knew someone who had seen his paintings on the walls in his house.”

“I remember John and his wife Maxine as good neighbours, pleasant and courteous. They came to our house for a neighbourhood party , probably thirty-five or forty years ago. Then they lived in Italy for some years, and had to return to have the health support as Maureen’s Huntington’s chorea progressed. They had known not to have children because it was in her family.

They built low stone walls and planted pencil pine trees, reminding them of Italy. John cared for Maxine at home with patience and love in the years until her death, which would have been very difficult for him. He was sure that she was still better with him, that there could be some sense of recognition, and would not put her into care.

Subsequently he had Parkinsons’ Disease, and lived at home with a carer who got him to sign the house over to him. I believe that he wanted to leave his books (paintings?) to a university. He then was in a nursing home, I think in Gladesville or Ryde.”

Sydney University

A search on Google turned up a Maxine Bucklow who was a senior lecturer in industrial relations at the University of Sydney – c. 1950’s and 60’s. The university now has an annual scholarship in her name. I shall look for information from the university to confirm that this is our John Bucklow’s wife.

Maxine Bucklow Memorial Prize for Organisational Studies

“Established in 2004 by a donation of $5,000 from the 50th Anniversary of the Teaching of Industrial Relations and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney. The prize honours the work of Dr Maxine Bucklow who was a founding member of the Industrial Relations and Organisational Studies group at the University of Sydney. The award will be made for meritorious performance by a student in the third year honours program in Work & Organisational Studies who is proceeding to fourth year Honours. The selection of the student who is awarded the prize will be made by the recommendation of the Chair of Discipline to the full-time staff of Work & Organisational Studies on the basis of the students results in third year Honours.” University of Sydney

Maxine Bucklow part of a team

“On August 8 1997 Geoff Sorrell died after a long battle with emphysema. Geoff, a New Zealander by birth and a lawyer by training, was active in the public sector unionism in New Zealand before coming to take up a post in the Economics Faculty at the University Sydney. With Kingsley Laffer and Maxine Bucklow, Geoff helped to build the field of industrial relations at the university through the 1960s and culminating in the establishment of a separate Department in 1974.”

Art

John Bucklow was a finalist in the Sir John Sulimann art competition in 1956, and a finalist in the Wynne competition the following year.

I assume this was ‘our’ John Bucklow, and hope to find confirmation of this in future. Any help would be much appreciated!

I haven’t been able to find any birth or death notices on Trove for either John or Maxine.

I would like to pay a special tribute to John and Maxine. Their considerate and unselfish decision not to have any children marks the end of this line of the Leske / Noske Family.

Elsa Bertha SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

The above information is from the work of the late Dean Saegenschnitter, who collected and compiled ‘Before and After’, a Family History of the Saegenschnitter descendants of Auguste Emilie Lydia Becker and Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter.

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish his work.
telegram_Saegy_to_P_Zwar

Telegram: from Gustav Saegenschnitter to Paul Zwar 17th January 1908. … K Z.

Albert Heinrich SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Early Years

Albert was born on the 6th February, 1904 at Caltowie Extension, and was baptized on 21st February of the same year in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church by Pastor Adolph Ortenburger. Unfortunately Albert lost his young sister and mother in 1908. His two older sisters would have looked after the three boys and their father, until after their father remarried in 1909. Some time later the girls went to live with Aunties of the Becker and Wegner families.

School and Church

There is a photo showing him attending Pine Creek Lutheran School. Albert was confirmed in the Pine Creek Lutheran church on 3rd November 1918 by Pastor Ortenburger. Later he attended the Youth Group and was involved with the choir.

Another Farm

The parents purchased another farm approximately 3 miles south, this was soon after the Father’s remarriage, but they did not live there till around 1932-33. After the family moved, Albert stopped at the old homestead and batched until his marriage.

Marriage

On one occasion when he visited his sister at Sandleton, and the various cousins in the Sandleton and Stonefield districts, he met Flora Gertrude Kalisch, and he married her on the 7th February, 1935. Their reception was held at Mrs. Seiboth’s at Eden Valley. The couple then moved back to the farm where Albert had been batching for the last nearly three years.

The Best Years

The next 10 years were the happiest of his life. His wife, being brought up on a farm, was a great helper, especially with animals and birds, particularly birds, for she always had a good collection of these. During harvest time Gertie worked out in the paddock with Albert bag sewing etc. During this time it was not uncommon for drovers to take sheep along the 3 chain road; this ran along the side of their farm. Albert had a bore, which the drovers used for their horses and sheep.

Gentle Nature

Often his young brothers would visit on Sundays on their motorbike and this provided great enjoyment for all. Albert who had a gentle nature, loved mixing and talking with people, especially going to sales and also visiting friends at their homes,

Laura

Unfortunately in 1944 due to drought they sold their farm and moved into Laura where they purchased a small 3 acre property with a house. On the block he put down a bore. This enabled them to have a good garden of fruit trees, vegie’s. As well, a good portion was planted with Lucerne. This was for the fowls and cows. The milk from the cows was sold to the Golden North factory. Albert worked at the Laura Flour Mill, delivering chaff and flour to Port Augusta, Quorn, Wilmington, and Port Pirie. Due to his good nature he was always last to get started and always late home.

Barossa Valley

In 1952, Albert and Gertie decided to move to the Barossa, there buying a small house on a deep block. Albert worked in the mill at Tanunda, but soon found that flour dust affected his health. He then joined the Highways Department at Nurioopta, remaining there until health and memory deteriorated by 1968.

Last Years

He initially was cared for by Gertie, then was admitted to the Tanunda Hospital and later to the Home for Incurables. It was here that he died in the 13th August 1975. He was buried in the Langmeil cemetery inTanunda. Gertie continued to live in the home until November 1975, when she sold the house and moved into daughter Doris’s self contained flat.

Bernhardt Alwin SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Early Years

Ben, as he was commonly known, was born at Caltowie Extension on the 9th of April, 1900. He was Baptized, Confirmed and attended with the family in worshiping at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church. He attended the Caltowie Extension School for his education (not known for how long ).

Farmer

On leaving school he then helped on the family farm, occasionally going to another farm that the Father had bought, which was 3-4 miles south-east of the homestead. With brother Dick, they would spend several days there, looking after stock, taking with them enough flour to make dampers, cold meat and vegetables, making stews and dampers.

Tragedy

Unfortunately the youngest sister and his Mother died in early 1908, which had an upsetting effect to the whole family. The Father then re-married in September 1909. Later Ben’s two older sisters went to live with Becker & Wegner Aunties.

Marriage

40._Saegenschnit_Ben___Elsa

Ben and Elsa Saegenschnitter

One time when visiting relatives in the Moculta in the Barossa Valley region, he met Martha Elsa Marks. They were married in the Zion Black Hill Lutheran Church on the 13th October 1927 by Pastor A.W. Goessling. The reception was then held on the reserve opposite Elsa’s family home at Caunament.

Caltowie Extension Farm

After their marriage they went to live on Ben’s small farm, which was near by his fathers. In July son Dean was born, then when he was about 12 months old, Ben sold the too small farm.

Pompoota Farm

Then he bought a small dairy farm, which was on the reclaimed irrigated swamp at Pompoota. They milked about 30 cows, had about 300 fowls and as well several breeding sows, selling off the young pigs as suckers. The milk was sold to Southern Farmers in Murray Bridge. This was collected by river-boat from a wharf about one mile from the dairy. This boat brought our many items, such as meat, butter, super and fowl feed. The milk was collected twice a day in the summer months, once daily in the winter. The family remained until 1947.

Murray Bridge

Due to Elsa’s poor health, when the farm was sold and the Family had a house built in Murray Bridge. While waiting for the home to be built Ben bought a caravan and with the family visited relatives up north in the Caltowie area.

Southern Farmers Factory

On returning, Ben went to work at Southern Farmers factory in the boiler house. Later son Dean joined him at the factory but he worked in the milk receival area. Unfortunately Elsa’s health deteriorated, she finally passed away in August 1952. Ben saw his son Dean married in February 1953, and he went to live with him, but never got over Elsa’s death, so ended his life in October 1953. Both Elsa and Ben are buried in the Murray bridge cemetery.

Richard Gustav SAEGENSCHNITTER

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Early Years

Richard was born at Caltowie Extension on 18th June 1898 to Carl Friedrich Gustav Saegenschnitter and his wife Auguste Emilie Lydia Saegenschnitter nee Becker. Richard was baptised July 31st 1898 in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church near Appila. Richard was confirmed and attended church with his parents at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church. He went to the Caltowie Extension School, and he attended until he was 12 years old.

Tragedy

He lost his Mother and young sister in early 1908. This was a great loss to the family.

Farm

After leaving school he helped his father on the farm. In 1921 he bought his own farm which was located about 6 miles east of Laura.

Marriage

Richard, on the 16th April 1925, was married to Louise Hilda Saegenschnitter by Pastor F. J. Lehmann. Louise had been born on February 6th 1900 at Sandleton, and baptised on February 18th 1900 at Sandleton.

Richard continued to work his farm until he had heart problems in 1939. He then sold all his implements and horses, and he then share-farmed, until November 1945.

Barossa Valley

He sold the farm and went to live in the Barossa Valley, at Nurioopta. Here he worked at the Viticulture Station until his retirement in 1965.

Retirement

Richard and his wife Hilda went to live in a granny flat at the rear of their daughter’s home. Hilda passed away on October 28th in 1979. Richard remained with his daughter until early 1981, when he went into the Fullarton Lutheran Homes. He passed away on June 15th 1983. He and Hilda are buried in the Enfield cemetery.

_____________________________________________

by Dean Saegenschnitter

Clara Martha HULDA SAEGENSCHNITTER nee Saegenschnitter

Detailed biography

Permission was given by Deans’ family to publish the biographies which he called ‘Backgrounds’.

Early Years

Hulda was the first bom child of Gus and Lydia Saegenschnitter. She was born at Caltowie on 30/7/1894, going to the Caltowie Extension school for her education. She was Baptised by the late Pastor C J Siegele and confirmed on 20/12/1910 by Pastor A Ortenburger at Pine Creek, Appila. She, with her family attended church services there also.

Teenage Years

After leaving school, Hulda helped her parents on the farm. Unfortunateely her Mother passed away when Hulda was only 14 years old in 1908. Her Father re-married the following year. Some time later Hulda went to live with Uncle Heinrich & Auntie Edel Wegner, at Pine Creek near Appila.

Sandleton and Husband

In the latter part of 1925 Hulda went to Sandleton to help her sister who had twin sons at the end of December 1925. This gave her the opportunity in meeting her future husband, Carl Freidrich Saegenschnitter. They were married in the Sandleton Lutheran Church on 12/6/1927.

Moppa

They then went to live on a property at Moppa, which was several Kms north of Nurioopta, it consisted with a small vineyard, as well milking several cows and keeping 50-100 fowls. The eggs were sold to the grocer, the cream picked up weekly from the farm.

Daughter Elma

(Information supplied by her sister Linda Saegenschnitter)

Elma Iris Saegenschnitter grew up on her parent’s farm, two miles west of Nurioopta, in the area called Moppa. She was a very shy and timid child. She had a tewar of schooling at Stonefield, and during this time she stayed with her Auntie and Uncle Lydia and Paul Evers. This was so she had the company of a cousin going to school.

In 1936 Elma came back home and went to Nurioopta Primary School. It was in this year that her sister Dulcie commenced school.

In March 1937, she suddenly took ill, and taken to the Doctor and Hospital at Nurioopta. Here she unfortunately died. Elma is buried in the Nurioopta cemetery.

Son Melvin

(Information supplied by his sister Linda Saegenschnitter)

Melvin Rudolph Saegenschnitter was born on 20th August 1928. Melvin was accidentally scalded when only 10 months old, by a saucepan of boiling water which tipped over him. He died on June 7th 1929. He is buried in the Nurioopta Cemetery.

Daughter Greta

(Information supplied by her sister Linda Saegenschnitter)

Greta Stella Saegenschnitter, their fouth child, was born on 2nd January 1933. Greta only lived for three months when she died on 6th April 1933. She is buried in the Nurioopta Cemetery.

Ebenezer

In 1949, Fred ( Hulda’s husband) sold the property at Moppa, moving to Ebenzer, where they only had a few acres, Hulda at that same time kept her fowls, while Fred helped neighbouring farmers and working in the local vineyards.

Hulda was always a keen gardener, having a nice vegetable garden, as well taking great pride in growing flowers, particularly chrysanthemums and dahlias.

After several years of declining health, Hulda died on the 11th. May 1953, and Fred , the day after his 69th. birthday, had a stroke and died on the 2nd. July 1955. Both are buried in the Ebenzer cemetery. They had a family of six children, five girls and one boy.

Frieda Ruth WURST nee Becker

Detailed biography

Frieda Ruth Wurst nee Becker

Laura

Frieda was born at Laura, South Australia, on 22 June 1913, the third child of the late Gotthilf Benjamin Richard and Emma Cecilia Becker, and the sister of Rita, Eric, Melvin, Linda, Lorna (deceased) and Rex.

She was baptised on 3 August 1913 and confirmed on 13 November 1927 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Appila, by the late Pastor Adolf Ortenburger.

Marriage

It was in the same church that she married Reinhold Edgar Wurst on 10 October 1940. The marriage was blessed with four children: Yvonne, Joy, Ian and Shirley.

Frieda was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Appila, until April 1958 when the family moved to a dairy farm at Virginia and joined the Lutheran Church at Salisbury, SA.

St Stephens

In October 1960 the family moved to South Plympton, SA, and took up membership at Faith Lutheran Church, Warradale, and in 1968 joined St Stephens Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Frieda remained a faithful member at St Stephens until her death.

Death of Reinhold

After the death of her husband on 23 March 1973, Frieda made her home at Lockleys with her daughter, Joy. In 1992 she moved back to the original home at South Plympton and lived with her son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Gloria and family. After a fall resulting in a broken hip in late December 1994, she went to live with her older daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and John Kuhlmann, and their family at Penfield, SA. Here she was under the spiritual care of Pastor Peter Traeger of Elizabeth.

Homemaker

Frieda was a home maker, a loving wife and mother. She loved to knit, crochet, sew and read. She loved animals – her dog, cats and canaries. But most of all she loved her garden and wherever she lived she had a thriving and colourful garden. She was a generous and supportive person, with a wonderful sense of humour and a loving smile. In the latter years particularly, arthritis robbed her of the enjoyment of many of her interests.

Sadly Missed

On 23 March 1996 Frieda had a fall which resulted in a fractured pelvis and serious complications. She passed away early Sunday morning on 24 March 1996, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide.

She is sadly missed by her children: Yvonne and John, Joy, Ian and Gloria, Shirley; her grandchildren, Tony and Janet, Sean, Lisa, Adam, Emma, Rita, Craig, Darren, and Simon. She is also survived by two brothers, four sisters-in-law, and her Aunt Hilda who was her godmother.

Her family and friends mourn her passing but are thankful that she is at peace with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

[The Obituary of Frieda, supplied by Joy Wurst]
Descendants_of_Frieda_Ruth_BECKER_cr_May_2013_

K P Z

Rita Amanda ZWAR nee Becker

Detailed biography

> Click here to go to Rita’s Photo Gallery

Rita Amanda Becker

Rita was the first of seven children born to Emma and Richard Becker. She was the only child born on the Appila farm. Born on the family farm on 12th December 1907 and then baptised in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church which they could see about two or three kilometres from their home on 29th December of the same year.

Baptism Certificate for Rita Zwar

Rita’s auntie Elsa Zanker was a godparent as Rita was born on her birthday. Her other godparents were Alfred Becker and auntie Lydia Saegenschnitter.

Early Story

Rita’s parents told her about one incident that happened when Rita was about two years old. The Beckers kept a saucer of milk on the veranda for their pet cats. One day her mother went out and found Rita on her fours lapping the milk together with a snake! [Rita to K Z.] Rita wasn’t harmed, but I don’t know what happened to the snake.

The Willows Farm

About this time Richard Becker bought “The Willows” farm near Laura. The Advertiser reported on 1st October 1909

Becker_Land_buy_Screen_shot_The_Advertiser__SA_Friday_1_October_1909__

Becker Land Purchase – ‘The Willows’

The Willows property is still in the hands[in 2013] of descendants of Rita.

Siblings

A brother Eric arrived three days after Rita’s third birthday. Her sister Frieda arrived when she was five.

Lutheran Day School

Rita began school at the Day School next to the Pine Creek Lutheran Church in 1914. From their former farm the Beckers could see the church from their home, but now it was a ten kilometre journey. We don’t know how Rita travelled to school in her first years as she was the first to go and there were no other children nearby she could have gone with.

Pine Creek School Band

In the 1916 school band Rita is the girl on the far right – in front of the drummer. The lad in the centre of the back row – 6th from each end – is Edgar Zwar – her future husband. Rita has named each person in this photo. You can find it in the section: ‘Rita Becker Photo Album’.

School Closed and State School Opened

In 1917 the South Australian government closed all the Lutheran Schools, including the Pine Creek school. In July of the same year the Government opened it as a State School with Jack Stevens as the teacher.

Pine Creek State School. Rita is 3rd from left on front seated row. Eric is bottom left – on ground.

{missing page}](School list by Rita Zwar nee Becker) Rita attended this school and left us with a photo from the teacher, Jack Stevens, and all the students – which she named, but it doesn’t say which year. Her younger brother Eric is also in the photo. There is another photo of the State School children, with Rita second left in the back row and Eric is on the other end of the back row? The teacher is Miss Thomas, but we don’t have the exact year. If it is 1920 then Frieda would be on this photo – if not, it was taken in is 1919.]

Pine Creek State School? Rita 2nd from left in back row.

There is no record of Rita attending the Laura school. She attended confirmation lessons at Pine Creek and was confirmed in 1921 when she was nearly 14 years of age, the normal age for confirmation. One record shows Rita completed her schooling in March 1921. She then began attending confirmation classes. Rita had particularly enjoyed the art and craft classes and would have loved to develop her skills in this area but didn’t have the opportunity. At some point Rita did take organ lessons, maybe from Mrs McHugh in Laura who taught her young sister Linda in later years [*Rex Becker].

Confirmation

Rita, probably in confirmation dress 1921

Confirmation Certificate for Rita Becker

Rita was confirmed in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church on 20th November 1921 by Pastor Adolph Ortenburger, several weeks before her 14th birthday. The text reads

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Life Home on the Farm

Boating in Pine Creek at Beckers; l to r: Emma Becker, Annie Geier, Frieda Becker, Rita Becker, and Melvin Becker in front.

The children grew up on the bank of the Pine Creek and soon learnt to swim.They would go yabbying, or rowing in the long stretches of water that were normal in the creek in those times. On the farm there were baby animals to care for, cows to milk, horses to feed, fowls to feed and eggs to collect. Rita helped to care for the young siblings as they arrived. There were clothes to wash and hang out on the lines to dry, and then iron. She learnt to mend clothes, to sew and knit. Her mother developed a vast vegetable garden. Her father had developed a large orchard that ran down to the main road.

Melbourne

Rita Becker in St St Kilda

In the early twenties Rita went on a holiday to Victoria. She enjoyed a stay with the Bucklow family in Melbourne, her great uncle John and auntie Agnes and their little son John who made a number of visits to the “The Willows” in South Australia over the years. With Rita they visited Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges, Rita also enjoyed the St Kilda beach, and they had a day out and took the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff.

Queenscliffe [photo by Rita Becker]

Queenscliffe Beach [Rita Becker photo]

Rita also visited the Gus and Otto Zanker family cousins on their farms near Jeparit in Victoria.

Otto Zanker family: L to R: Ruby, Elsie, Otto, a daughter, Mrs Otto Snr, Otto snr.

Zanker Family

The Becker family were closely involved with the Zanker families in their social life. There would often be Zanker relatives visiting, staying for a few days at The Willows, or going for a picnic in a forest, or at the beach at Port Germein.

Youth Group

Rita in 1920’s

The Pine Creek Church had an active youth group that met on Sunday afternoons every fortnight, and these included a variety of functions that included Bible Studies, outings, birthday celebrations and concerts. On the other Sundays they had choir practice.

Sister Lorna

When Rita was 17 a baby sister arrived prematurely and died after two months. Two years later a brother arrived in Rex, and Rex remembers his oldest sister Rita as the one who cared for him like his mother.

Edgar Zwar

In the late Twenties Rita was attracted to another member of the Pine Creek youth group in Edgar Zwar. The families were quite close. By road they lived about 5 kilometres apart, but much closer ‘as the crow flies’. Their fathers would go to auctions together to buy timber and metal to work on in their workshops. One year at the Jamestown Show Edgar’s father mentioned to Rita’s mother Emma Becker that Rita and Edgar seemed to make a fine couple, and Emma replied, “But Rita is so young!”

Marriage

Rita Becker and Edgar Zwar were married on 2nd October 1930 in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church near Appila when Rita was 22 years old and Edgar was 27.

Edgar Zwar and Rita Becker 2nd Oct 1930

Pastor Ern Stolz married them. It was his first marriage in the Appila parish and they became close friends.

Pastor and Mrs Ortenburger

The Greeting

Pastor Adolf Ortenburger who had been their only pastor and who had baptised and confirmed both of them had returned recently to Germany. He sent them a photo and a special greeting.
The reception and wedding breakfast were held at the ‘Willows’, the Becker home. Photos were taken on the front lawn. Edgar was the youngest and the last to be married in his family. Rita was the eldest in her family and it would be another 10 years before there would be another wedding in the Becker family.

Lorna Pauline BECKER

Detailed biography

3rd March – 1st May 1926

Lorna Pauline Becker was the sixth of seven children born to Richard and Emma Becker. Lorna was a premature baby and wasn’t expected to survive. She lived for 59 days and died at home. Lorna was the fourth and youngest daughter. “She looked more like her Dad than any of the other children.”
… her sister, Rita Zwar

Lorna was buried in the Pine Creek Lutheran cemetery near Appila.

Eric Oswald BECKER

Detailed biography

Celebrating the Life of Eric Oswald Becker

15th December 1912 – 7th September 1992

Eric Oswald Becker was born into this world on 15th December, 1910 and into his heavenly Father’s kingdom through baptism on 8th January, 1911 at the Pine Creek Lutheran Church, Appila.

Family

Eric was the oldest son and the second of seven children born to Richard and Emma Becker. On his passing in 1992 Eric joined three of his sisters, Rita Zwar, Linda Bartsch and Lorna Becker and was survived by his two brothers, Melvin & Rex, and his sister Frieda Wurst.

Early life

His early life was spent happily on the family farm at Laura where his well known skills as a handyman were developed. He attended the Pine Creek Public Lutheran School before beginning work on the land.

In 1924 on 16th November his Lord led Eric to make his public confession of faith at his Confirmation, a confession of faith which would be the mainstay of Eric’s life.
EricBeckerHarley

Eric Becker on his Harley Davidson

Marriage

The Lord blessed Eric with a wife and new home on their farm near Caltowie in 1942. Three children, Dawn, Colin and Lorna followed as Eric and Anna developed the farm.
EricBecker70th

Eric on his 70th birthday

Lutheran Church

At Redeemer Church Caltowie Eric served his Lord and his church faithfully as Elder, Secretary/Treasurer and as a key member of the Men’s Fellowship. His devotion continued at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown following the closure of the Caltowie Church.

Jamestown

Eric and Anna moved into Jamestown in 1981 to enjoy a working retirement. Although his health failed in 1989, Eric struggled on in difficult circumstances, cared for by Anna.

Eric will be remembered by us as a hardworking, caring and friendly man, devoted to his Church and his family.

Eric’s Lord remembered him on the morning of September 7th 1992 and took him home.

Anna Louisa BECKER nee Borgas

Detailed biography

“Celebrating the Life of Anna Louisa Becker, 2 December 1912– 4 June 2006”

Anna Louisa Borgas was born on 2nd December 1912, as the tenth child of Carl and Emilie Borgas nee Wurst, at their Appila home, with Auntie Marie Borgas as mid-wife. On 15 December Anna was baptised by Pastor A. MacKenzie.

School

Anna commenced schooling at the Appila Public School mid year 1919. With her sisters Emilie and Vera, Anna mostly walked the three miles to and from school. On gaining her year seven Qualifying Certificate Anna wasn’t of age to leave school and remained the following year as a ‘Monitor’ assisting the teacher. For the first half of the year these duties were on an unpaid basis, however for the remainder of the year she received thirteen shillings and six pence a fortnight. ($1.35). This was considered good pay for one at thirteen years of age.

Teenage Years and then Yandiah

Anna was confirmed by Pastor S. Rudolph on 11 December, 1927 in the Fullerville Church. Anna remained at home to help with the house duties and milking the cows. In 1933 Anna spent six weeks in Tanunda at a dressmaking course. Following Carl’s marriage in June 1942, Anna, together with her parents and invalid brothers Norman and Walter moved to a house in Yandiah.

Marriage

On Saturday, 8 August 1942, after a courtship of some twelve years, Anna and Eric Oswald Becker of Laura were married in the Gloria Dei Church by Pastor J.B. Traeger. The couple settled on a property 4 miles west of Caltowie. Grain crops and sheep provided their main income, with cows, pigs and poultry supplementing the income. Over the years Anna reared and raised many hundreds of turkeys. During the first year Anna would drive the horse and sulky to Caltowie to deliver cream and eggs to the railway station; from there they were dispatched to the factory. After a good first harvest they were able to buy a small Ford utility and Eric taught Anna to drive as she had never learnt. Anna’s father didn’t believe in women driving cars!

Extensions

Anna and Eric successfully continued their farming; extending their acreage with the purchase of adjoining property in 1956, the land they had share-farmed for many years. Eric was a handy man and built a number of sheds and various other improvements to the farm and machinery. Anna tended the garden and grew many of their vegetables.

Church

Both Anna and Eric were regular and active members of the small Redeemer Lutheran congregation at Caltowie until its closure in October 1981, after which they joined St. John’s Jamestown. While their children attended the Caltowie Primary School they served on School committees in various capacities.

Retirement and loss of Partner

In February 1981, prior to Colin’s marriage, Anna and Eric retired to a home at 48 Alexandra Terrace, Jamestown. Anna continued her love of gardening while Eric pottered about in his work shed. During 1989 Eric’s health declined and subsequently it became evident that the home and large block were more than they could manage. In July 1991 they moved to a small unit at Belalie Crescent, Jamestown. Eric and Anna were able to celebrate their Golden Wedding with family, relatives and friends on 9 August 1992. Eric was called to his heavenly home on 7 September 1992.

Active Senior Years

Anna continued to live in her unit after Eric’s death. She spent many hours tending her garden, cooking, playing cards with her neighbours and enjoying knitting and making jigsaw puzzles. Anna continued to drive her car around Jamestown for shopping, Probus and Senior Citizen’s. She continued to be actively involved in Church and Ladies Guild.

Belalie Lodge

Prior to her 90th birthday in December 2002 Anna decided the time was right for her to move over the road to Belalie Lodge and hostel accommodation, when a room became available. She was quick to add she didn’t want to move before Christmas. In August 2003 Anna moved into her new home over the road at Belalie Lodge, and as one of her friends said when visiting her after the shift, “How is your ‘motel’ accommodation, Anna?”

Anna made many new friends and joined in the activities of the home. Some weeks there were not enough days to just sit and rest; there were always things to do. When she went into the Home she didn’t think she would take many jigsaw puzzles, there would be no where to do them. The collection had grown and she found time to do one in her room and with some of the other residents worked on another in the lounge room. No doubt Anna did the majority! A puzzle from Anna’s niece was started about 2 weeks ago and completed late last week.

Church and Family

Although unable to attend Church she still took an interest in what happened. Church services at the Home were eagerly looked forward to. Anna took great interest in her grandchildren and their activities and whereabouts, and enjoyed the weekly telephone calls to or from her daughters. Colin and family called on her at various times each week. Anna was blessed with reasonably good health during her life time. The Lord called her to Him suddenly early Sunday morning 4 June, 2006. She leaves to mourn her children: Dawn, Colin, Lorna In-laws: Allan, Joy, Brian Grandchildren: Bruce and Ann, David, Roger and Roxanne Richard, Heidi, Bill Mark, Rebecca, Johanna

Thanks

Our sincere thanks to the staff of Belalie Lodge who cared for Anna’s every need in a most caring and professional manner. She loved you all and spoke often of your care and concern. Also to the relatives and friends who called or phoned Anna; the time you spent with her was much appreciated. We give thanks to God for the life of Anna and what she has meant to each of us.

Source: The Obituary

Author(s) not known to me at this stage. KPZ

Emma Cecilia BECKER nee Zänker

Detailed biography

I am still working on the detailed biography.
Contact us if you have any suitable material to contribute.

Gustav Moritz BECKER

Detailed biography

Born in Janny, Silesia

Gustav was born on the 29th November 1836 at Janny, near Prittag in the Grünberg District of Silesia, the son of school teacher Friedrich August Becker. Janny (sometimes ‘Jany’) was a small village about 8 kilometres north east of Grünberg, the main centre of this area of Silesia and a large place.

Adelaide, South Australia

On the bottom side of the world a small village had been founded in 1836, the same year Gustav Becker was born. The new village was called ‘Adelaide’. It was the first village in a new British colony the British named South Australia, and it was ruled from Britain.

Queen Victoria

When Gustav was one year old Queen Victoria was crowned as the new ruler of England and her colonies. Queen Victoria was raised by her German mother. She married the German Prince Albert and they had 9 children. The British monarchy in Gustav’s lifetime had far more German blood than English. Any foreigners who wanted to buy land in the new colony of South Australia had to first swear allegiance to Queen Victoria. Gustav would later do this. [This law didn’t apply to the local aboriginal people who had lived there for countless thousands of years. They couldn’t ‘own’ land in South Australia at this time.] Queen Victoria ruled until she died about a year after Gustav died in South Australia in 1899.

Prittag

When Gustav was born there was no Country named ‘Germany’. The area we now call ‘Germany’ was a collection of different states and Kingdoms – with their own Royal families – who had regularly fought wars against each other over the previous centuries. For example, about 25 years before Gustav was born the French army led by Napoleon fought against Gustav’s Country, but the German Kingdom of Saxony fought with Napoleon against Prussia. In Australia one of Gustav’s children would marry into the Zwar family. The Zwar’s were from the German kingdom of Saxony. Prittag [now Przytok] lies today in Poland.

The Prittag Church

Gustav grew up in the top corner of Silesia. If he walked north about three k’s from Janny he came to the German State called Brandenburg. In Silesia the Becker family worshipped in the Lutheran Church at Prittag.

Prittag Church, now Roman Catholic

I have video of my wife playing the pipe organ in the Church in 1994.

Balcony and Pipe Organ of Prittag Church

Janny was in the Lutheran Parish of Prittag. It had a population of 231 in 1905, and was in the County [Kreis] of Grünberg.

Grünberg

The Lutherans who settled in the Barossa Valley in South Australia named one of their churches ‘Grünberg’. In Silesia the Grünberg district had been famous for centuries for its grapes and wines. The town had a population of 14,000 people in the late 1800’s. Today it is a city in Poland (and is now called Zielona Gora), with a population of over 300,000 people. When a host took my wife and myself for a visit to Janny, Prittag and Grünberg in 1994, I said that I was amazed to see that Grünberg was a city with one of the largest churches I have ever seen in it’s centre. He asked me to consider the shock he felt when he was in the Barossa Valley on his only trip to Australia and his hosts pointed to acres of vineyards with a tiny little church on a rise, and some cows grazing nearby, and they announced “That is Grünberg”!

Wheelwright

Gustav Becker qualified as a wheelwright. This followed a strenuous apprenticeship, followed by demanding journeyman requirements. One had to get special (and costly) permission from the authorities to open a trade in one’s local area, and this was virtually impossible to achieve if there were already enough wheelwrights in the local community. This could have been a reason for Gustuv considering going to Australia on the other side of the world.

Australia

In 1841 over 100 people had left the Grünberg District for Australia with Pastor Fritzsche as their leader. This followed persecution and prison sentences ordered by the King of Prussia and his government for anyone not joining in the decree that the Lutherans and Calvinists must combine so there would be only one Church in the Prussian Kingdom. The King who made these decrees had actually died in 1840 and the persecutions ceased and the decree was cancelled in 1844, but the plans of the emigrants had been made and properties sold so the emigration to Australia went ahead in 1841. In 1844 another 21 left the Grünberg District and went to Australia.

Large Emigration Period

In future years many more people would emigrate to Australia from Silesia, but the reason was no longer religious persecution. There were many reasons people left German countries, including the reports of gold rushes in Australia, or the compulsory military service for two years for all 20 year old males into the army to go and fight in wars. Parents who had lost a son or two in battles didn’t want any more of their sons involved in military service. The industrial revolution, firstly in England, meant machines and factories were producing materials and goods previously produced in thousands of little villages and the people in villages in Europe now experienced poverty. It is estimated that between 5 and 6 million Germans left Europe in the 1800’s for the New Countries overseas, mainly to the Americas. A trickle made their way to Australia.

Long Journey to Australia

It was twice as far to go from Europe to Australia as to North America, and it also cost double the price. The shipping agents who scoured the countryside for passengers really had to work hard and tell wonderful and fantastic stories about Australia to get people to pay up and board a ship to Australia. The agents were paid a certain amount for every person they could get on board a ship. Some agents even pretended they and their family were going too! Children under 14 years were half price or less and some mature teenagers went on board and were still listed as children when they arrived in Australia!

Hamburg

Gustav Becker made his way to Hamburg to board a ship in 1860, long after the religious persecution of Lutherans had ended. The gold rushes were still making the newspapers. There were letters from friends and relatives in Australia, sometimes published in the local newspapers, telling how one could even buy land if one worked hard. In Silesia only the richest people like ‘Lords’ owned large tracts of land.

‘Sophie and Friederike’

Gustav left Hamburg for Australia on the ship “Sophie and Friederike” on 25th October 1860 with 76 other passengers and arrived at Port Adelaide in South Australia 114 days later on February 16th, 1861. He was 24 years old. From the Kopittke Shipping Records:

‘Sophie & Friederike’ “Newspaper Report in The South Australian Advertiser Monday, February 18, 1861. The Sophie & Friederike of the Johann Cesar Godeffroy line was a schooner of burden 87 C.L.1 and dimensions 96′ 3″ x 25′ 0″ x 13′ 6″.* She was built in 1844 in Stettin as the Gladiator. She was purchased from Hellwig & Sanne of Stettin by the W. & S. Hauer line on 19 Oct 1850. In 1852 she was reconstructed and on 21 August 1856 she was sold to the F. Laeisz line, and then resold on 7 September 1860 to the Johann Cesar Godeffroy line. This was her only voyage from Hamburg to Australia with any of the owners, and the only voyage with the Godeffroy line. After leaving Adelaide, she visited various trading ports before being sold in 1863 in China. Sophie & Friederike Captain J Oesau, to Port Adelaide, departed [Hamburg] 13/10/1860″

There is a List of 77 passengers.

“Passenger 16: Becker Gustav (from) Rittag [ie. Prittag] Prussia Stellmacher [Wheelwright] age 23. Male.”

Gold

“Gustav teamed up with a partner and they worked in the Adelaide Hills searching for gold, but his mate cleared off with their finds.” [Grandson Melvin Becker to Kevin Zwar].

Copper

“Dad said that my great grandfather Gustav Becker worked in the copper mines at Kapunda when he arrived.” Christine Becker

Marriage

Auguste Ernestine Becker nee Gunder

When he was 26 years old Gustav married Auguste Ernestine Gunder on 24th September 1863 at Neukirch in the Barossa Valley. Auguste had been born on 27th March 1842, and had emigrated to Australia in1849. She had lived for a time at Light Pass and then at Neukirch.

Naturalisation

The official papers state that Gustav Moritz Becker of Neukirch near Stockwell, a wheelwright, and native of Janny, aged 28 years, applied for citizenship and then took the oath of allegiance on the 28th day of April 1865. One had to be naturalized to purchase land in the new British Colony of South Australia, so it is likely Gustav bought or intended to buy land soon after this date.

Appila Farm

The ‘Appila Land Settlements’ published in “Between the Ranges – A Centenary History of Land Settlement at Appila 1872 – 1972″ by J. D. W. BABBAGE records the following:

SECTION 75 12/11/1872 [sold to] Gustav Moritz Becker 10/1/1880 [Land title issued to] Gustav Moritz Becker

They had moved north to Appila and bought virgin land. They would need to build a home, and here on this farm they would have seven children.

Seven Children

The seven children of Auguste and Gustav Becker were: Gustav Adolph ALFRED BECKER (19 Aug 1864 – 26 Aug 1946) He married Christiane Mathilde SCHAEFFER Anna Bertha Dorothea BECKER (26 June 1866 – 1939) She married Carl Heinrich WINTER (1867 – 1945) Auguste Emilie Lydia BECKER (2nd Sept 1868 – 1908) She married Carl Friedrich Gustav SAEGENSCHNITTER ( – 1931) Gotthelf Benjamin RICHARD BECKER (22 June 1870 – 1936) He married Emma Cecilia ZANKER (12 Aug 1885) Gotthold Emanuel BECKER (28 Feb 1873 – 1948) He married Caroline Emma WINTER Bertha Magdalene BECKER (24 July 1877 – ) She married Paul ZWAR (1870 – ) Martha Marie Edelgarde BECKER (1st May 1882 – 1978) She married Heinrich Carl Wilhelm WEGNER (– 1946)

Wheelwright Farmer

Gustav was a qualified wheelwright. Above is the workbench Gustav made from red gum timber for his workshop where he produced a variety of articles including horse drawn carts and drays.

The screw on the workbench made by Gustav Becker.

Some of his hand tools have been handed down through his Becker decendants. Gustav also farmed the land. Many of the emigrants from German Kingdoms who were qualified in a wide field of occupations bought up land and became farmers. It was only the ‘Lords’ who owned the land back home where they had grown up in Europe, and it was a great achievement for the son of a schoolteacher to be able to buy acres of farmland and live like a Lord!

Church and School

Gustav became involved in the Lutheran Church in its earliest days before there were any Lutheran schools, churches or pastors in the Appila area. I have attempted to keep this part of the Becker history as simple as possible. There was a Hugo Becker with a large family who was a school teacher and who played an important role in the early years at Appila. He wasn’t related to Gustav Becker, so to avoid confusion I haven’t mentioned Hugo in the following account of the early years.

For Detailed information

For a detailed study on the early days of the Lutheran Churches and Schools in the Appila and surrounding areas of South Australia I recommend you read the large 284 page book “They Went to the North – Lutherans in the Upper North of South Australia” By Rhonda Traeger Copies are available for purchase from: Lutheran Archives 27 Fourth St. Bowden South Australia 5007 Phone/Fax 08 8340 4009 Email: lutheran.archives@lca.org.au

Wide Variety

In the early days of European settlement in South Australia one found a wide variety of German folk from many different German States and Countries. In the churches they came from they had different hymnals, devotion books and customs. For example, in some Lutheran Churches the males sat on one side of the church, and the females on the other side! Wives couldn’t sit next to their husbands! The men went to the Lord’s Supper first, and then the women. Some sang three hallelujahs at the close of the service, and others only one. One could feel uncomfortable if one came from a different Lutheran background in Europe.

Lay People

In Australia the laypeople now had to make many decisions and take on responsibilities, like paying for and building a church, or deciding which Pastor to call, and then providing a house for him and his family. Most of these decisions were made and paid for by ‘governments’ in Europe. Suddenly the lay people had important roles to play, and I think it is fair to say there were times they didn’t handle it the best ways possible!

Pastors

Lutheran Pastors who came from different countries and kingdoms in Europe had trained in different seminary’s and sometimes were suspicious of each other. It took 130 years before the Lutherans could all belong to the same Lutheran Church in Australia – and even then several congregations and a pastor or two chose to remain quite separate.

Virgin Land

Gustav Becker bought land near Appila when it was first opened up for sale in 1872. A house needed to be built and the land fenced and cleared for farming, and crops sown to get some income.

Pastor Ey

Pastor Rudolph Ey lived and worked in a parish at Carlsruhe a hundred miles south of Appila. It seems he made a trip North to visit some of his members and other Lutherans who had moved to the Appila area in 1872. The following year he went north again and took services, including one in the Ernst Joppich home near Appila. In 1875 Pastor Ey dedicated a chapel on Joppich’s farm [section 15]. It became known as the Pine Creek Chapel. Gustuf Becker was one who worshipped there. During the week the chapel building also served as a school. It would serve as a school for 100 years and many Becker descendants had their education in this building. But not immediately.

Division

Gustav belonged to one of two different groups of Lutherans who worshipped together in 1875. Within a year or so the two groups of Lutherans decided they couldn’t worship together and it seems for a few years they worshipped separately, in the shared chapel, and the group Gustav belonged to [Later known as the ELCA Synod] later met together in the Pech family home. After several years they were ministered to by Pastor Johannes Thiessen.

Few Records

Please Note: The following account of Becker land and another school and congregation is partly assumptions and guesswork as there are no records apart from the Appila land records and the fact it is mentioned in early letters, including some written by Gustav himself, and published in the book “They Went North” by Rhonda Traeger.

Section 17 New Chapel and School

On 5th January 1880 Gustav’s father-in-law Johann Gottlieb Gunder bought sections 16 and 17 of Appila land from Patrick Maloney. It is not clear what buildings stood on this property, but four months later Gustav bought this land. He offered the use of part of this land as a school, plus a school house for the teacher. One source says that

“The school at section 17 was well established by August 1879”

but this is questionable as Gustav Becker only bought the property the following year in 1880. It seems there was a ‘house’ of some sort on the property, and it is possible the little congregation built a new school plus a house for the teacher.

Pastor Thiessen Leaves

At one stage Gustav offered the new house, at that stage not yet completed, as a possible manse for Pastor Thiessen, but changed the offer to the old house which needed improving, and when he moved there Pastor Thiessen had to make improvements himself. By this time virtually all of the members had fallen out with Pastor Thiessen and he moved away to Caltowie (where he lived in a house he owned).

Teachers

There is no record of teachers and students at this school. At one time, about 1881, a young teacher named Wachtel arrived at the start of a new school year. He started on Monday morning, and taught until Friday afternoon and then he shot through! He may have been the last teacher at the school.

Purchase of Chapel Land

In 1881 the congregation bought a section of Becker’s section 17 so the congregation could own the Chapel land, now held for the congregation by three trustees. [It would be sold in 1919, and the Gloria Dei Church built on the new property (Borgas) on section 111].

Pastor Dorsh

In 1881 Pastor George Dorsch arrived with his wife. He was the first pastor to come to Australia from the Missouri Lutheran Synod in America. In the next century almost countless pastors would follow him from America and serve in the ELCA Lutheran Synod in Australia. Pastor Dorsch moved on after only two years. For some years the congregation would struggle to get a pastor and some families joined other Lutheran congregations in the District.

More Land

The Appila Land Records show that Gustav Becker bought section 2 & 72 on 23rd February 1889. This would pass on to Gustav Adolph Alfred Becker fourteen years later on 31st January 1903. In 1927 it went to Wilhelm Hermann Julius Schultz.

Pine Creek School

Pine Creek School c. 1898 Photo Courtesy Pine Creek Church Archives

After the ‘Becker’ school closed the children of both groups attended the school at Pine Creek. It was also natural that children of the local German/Lutheran families would intermarry, and newly weds then had to decide which congregation they would join. At some stage Gustav Becker and his family seem to have joined the Pine Creek Lutheran congregation. There was only one Lutheran Church in the Appila district that had a cemetery, so many are found in the same resting place in the Pine Creek Lutheran Church cemetery, on the same section of ‘Joppich’ land where the first Lutheran chapel/school was built and dedicated by Pastor Ey in 1875.

Death

Gustav Becker died at Appila on 5th November1899, of ‘calcinoma ventric Nephritis acuta’ [Rita Zwar nee Becker]. He was buried in the Appila Lutheran cemetery, aged 63 years.

From the Appila Church Funeral Records: > Entry no. 46: [English translation by Edgar Zwar from the original German]. “BECKER Gustav Moritz. Son of a teacher. Grew up at Prittag in Silesia. Emigrated 18th Oct 1860. Married 24th Sept 1863 Auguste nee Gunder at Neukirch. Moved to Appila. Seven children.”

The Laura Standard

Fri 10^th November 1899

Death of Mr. Becker. – It is our painful duty to chronicle the death of an old and respected resident of this district (Mr. G. Becker), which occurred on Sunday last at his residence near Laura. The deceased gentleman had been in ill-health for the past eighteen years, and a little over a week ago had an attack of influenza from which he never recovered. The late Mr. Becker (who was 62 years of age at the time of death) came to reside in this district twenty-seven years ago, and was one of the first settlers in Appila, prior to which he resided at Neukirk near Stockwell, where he was in business as a carpenter and wheelwright. In our district he was engagewd in farming pursuits. From the time of his entrance into the colony the deceased gentleman was very successful. He leaves a widow, four daughters (Mrs. Winter, Mrs. Zwar, Mrs Saegenschnitter, and Miss Becker), and three sons – Messrs. Alfred, Richard, and Gottlob Becker. The funeral took place on Tuesday last in the German cemetery near Pine Creek, and was largely attended. The Rev. Mr. Ottenburgher officiated at the grave.

Auguste Ernestine Becker nee Gunder

The entry no 64 in the church records reads:

1902 “BECKER: Widow of Gustav Moritz Becker. Appila. Liver failure following Hepatitis. Emigrated 1849. Lived at Lights Pass and also at Neukirch then at Appila. Married 24 Sept 1863. Seven children.”

The Laura Standard

Fri 26^th December 1902

THE LATE MRS. BECKER. – We regret to record the death of Mrs. Becker (widow of the late Mr. G. Becker) which occurred on Tuesday morning last at her residence. The deceased lady was an old and respectred resident of this district, and was 60 years and 9 months old at the time of her decease. With her late husband, Mrs Becker came to reside in this district 29 years ago, previous to which she resided at Neukirch, near Stockwell. The late Mr. Becker died on November 5, 1899.

Friday 9 January 1903

Deaths

Becker. – On December 23, 1902, Erstine Augusta, relict of the late Gustav Moritz Becker, of Appila, aged 60 years and nine months. May she rest in peace.

Gustav and Auguste Becker headstones in Pine Creek Lutheran Church cemetery near Appila

Farm passed on to Son Richard

The Land Title to the Appila Property, section 75, was taken over by Gotthelf Benjamin RICHARD BECKER on 31st January 1903. In later years the property went to Johann Frederick Zanker (16.4.1920); Edwin Henry Glasson (24.9.1947) Trevor Cross (11.5.1962)

Land Sections 2 & 72

The Appila Land records show that Gustav Becker bought sections 2 & 72 from James Clark on 23rd February 1889. It passed on to his son Gustav Adolph Alfred Becker 14 years later on 31st January 1903; then to Wilhelm Hermann Julius Schultz 5th April 1927.

Other Families who emigrated to Australia from Yanny [or Yany] and Prittag at different times in the 1800’s were:

[NITSCHKE George – from Janny] [BAHR – from Janny] From Prittag: SCHRAPEL SEIDEL Christian HENTSCHKE Johann Christian, and Johann Gottlieb NICOLAI Johann Christoff HÖEPPNER Johann Georg NITSCHKE Gottfried HEPPNER Christian HELBIG Marie Elisabeth KLAR