Johanna Louise Sophie (Kiehne) Hartmann, known as "Louisa"

After being associated intimately with the life of Dundee for half a century, that grand old lady, Mrs Hermann Hartmann senr., passed to her reward on Tuesday morning last.

She was a veritable "Mother of the Race"- a woman with the inborn spirit of the pioneer- a grand type of the early colonialist to whom this young country and this present generation owe so much. With her husband she landed in Australia about 1864, and a little later she found her way to Dundee. The district at that time was contained in one or two of the big stations, on which flourished one of the first inns of the district and the first flour mill - an old stone mill kept by a man named Bowers and employed in the manufacture of the course meal then used on the stations of the country. Beyond this, there was little on Dundee when the original Hartmanns came there, The country was unfenced and, of course, was not intersected by roads as is now the case. In lieu of paddocks flocks were shepherded, and in this work Mr Hartmann, like so many other early settlers, found his first employment. By dint of persistent industry and careful management - in which Mrs Hartmann played a very definite part - the pair made headway, until in due course they selected land on their own account. From then on they have lived quietly and happily on the property which was the scene of their early struggles 50 years ago, enjoying the profound respect of all and the singular devotion of a large and honoured family. Hospitality and quiet benelovence were the characteristics of the Hartmann household, and it was not surprising that so many delighted to visit the old home for a chat over olden days, and a social cup of tea. Only last November the venerable couple celebrated their diamond wedding, when they had great joy of seeing almost the whole of their children, and children's children gathered round the festive board to extend their felicitations. It was an experience that falls to the lot of few in this life. Even as late as Monday last another family reunion was held, the occasion being the eighty-eighth birthday of the revered head of the household. All the members of the family but one were present, and the anniversary was celebrated with remarkable unity and enthusiasm. It was little thought the partnership which had endured through over 60 years was then so near its close. However, before some of the northern visitors reached the Dundee railway station next morning, on their homeward journey, word overtook them that Mrs Hartmann had passed away. The old pioneer was in her 81st year.

Besides her husband, Mrs Hartmann is survived by an adult family - Messrs. Gustave, Hermann, Richard, August, William an Arnold, Mesdames Frank Kneipp, T Watson and Walter Chappell (of Stanthorpe). In addition there are any grand-children and some also of the third generation. The late Mrs W H Sloman was also a daughter - the eldest of the family.

The remains were buried at Dundee to-day, in the presence practically of the whole countryside. Rev G H Rae read the service and Mr H A Tutt carried out the burial arrangements.

(Newspaper article in the Glen Innes Examiner)

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has any information or photographs on any of these families. You can write to me at <jvbryant at halenet dot com dot au>

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