Leopold Conrad (1839-1918)
Johann Bohlmann (b.1812 Thedinghausen, French Kindom of Westphalia - d. 1901 North Adelaide, South Australia) was a master tin metal worker from Bremen who arrived in South Australia aboard the "Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee Patel" in 1846 and lived in South and North Adelaide until his death.
Johann Bohlmann | |
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 Johann Bohlmann and his granddaughter Kitty circa 1895 | |
| Born | Johann Büssenschütt 1 March 1812 Thedinghausen, French Kingdom of Westphalia |
| Died | 10 December 1901 North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Resting place | North Road Cemetery, South Australia |
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| Other names | John Bohlmann; John Bohlman |
| Occupation | Tin metal worker (Blechenschläger) |
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Biography
In Germany
Johann Bohlmann was born Johann Büssenschütt, the illegitimate son of Gesche Büssenschütt and Georg Friedrich Bohlmann, on 1 Mar 1812 in the village of Thedinghausen. At the time Thedinghausen was in the area under the control of Napoleon's Kingdom of Westphalia, but by 1813 it had reverted to the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, before the Prinicipality was raised to the Duchy of Brunswick in 1815. These complexities of life mark Boihlmann's life story before his migration to Australia.
In 1814, Johan and his mother moved to Bremen, where Gesche married the elderly widower Albert Wohlers in 1815. One son was born to thge mariage: Heinrich in 1816, given Johann his first half-brother. In his early teens, Johann was apprenticed as a Blechenschlager [tin metal worker] and by the time of his marriage at age 30 to Anna Louse Hartmann in 1841, he was listed as a Blechenschlageramtsmeister, or official with the guild. Johann's guild and apprentice records have not yet been identified, but a normal timeline would be for the apprenticeship to begin at age 15 for 7 years, followed by 3-4 years of journeying before a tradesperson would be considered for admission as a master to the guild. By the time of his marriage, Albert Wohlers had died (1829), Gesche had remarried (1830 to Franz Heinrich Carl Kohlwes) and her third child and son had been born (1833 Carl Kohlwes).
Johann and Anna had two children during their life in Bremen, living on the Papenstrasse. Franz Carl was born in 1842 but died at the age of one. Anna Louisa was born in 1844.
In Australia
In 1846, the entire extended family made the migration journey to South Australia. On the Pauline travelled Gesche, FHC and Carl Kohlwes, Heinrich Wohlers, his wife and children, and the eldest two children of Gesche's brother, Johanna and Albert Büssenschütt. Following a month later on the "Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee Patel" was Johann, Anna Louise and Anna Louisa.
On arrival, the family split up with those from the Pauline moving the German area of Hope Valley, along with a number of their shipmates, while Johann and his family settled in the city itself. This was probably an economic decision based on the likelihood of work in Johann's trade. Initially living in Gilbert street, then Currie street, the family purchased land in on Kermode Street in North Adelaide in 1848 and built a house. The family had increased with a son, Johann, born in 1848 and another son, Jacob Conrad, born in 1850, though Johann and Anna's daughter had died in 1847. Tragedy struck again when Anna Louise died in 1854, leaving Johann a widower with 2 young sons. In 1855 he married Catharina Seecamp, a recent arrival from Baden bei Achim, on the south east borders of Bremen. The couple had 7 children, six living to adulthood adn the family continued to live at the Kermode Street residence until Catharina's death in 1920.
The last two children of Johann's first marriage also died young: Johann at 21 in 1869, and Jacob at 30 in 1880.
Family
Johann Bohlmann had a wide and extended family in South Australia. His mother was Gesche Kolwes of Hope Valley, and his two half brothers, Heinrich Wohlers and Carl Kolwes, also lived in that district. His uncle Johann Hinrich Büssenschütt also lived in the north east suburbs of Adelaide. A niece, Gesine Wohlers married Håkan Linde, and another niece, Gesine Kolwes, married Wilhelm Gustav Kindermann.
Johann married Anna Louise Hartmann in Bremen in 1841, prior to leaving for South Australia. The couple had the following children:
- Franz Carl - 11 Jul 1842 Bremen - 1843 Bremen
- Anna Louisa - 25 Jul 1844 Bremen - 22 Feb 1847 Adelaide
- Johann - 13 Feb 1848 Adelaide - 2 Nov 1869 North Adelaide
- Jacob Conrad - 11 Mar 1850 North Adelaide - 16 Jul 1880 Adelaide
Johann's wife Anna Louise died in 1854 and Johann married the recent arrival Catharina Seecamp in 1855. The following children were born from this second marriage:
- Gesina - 27 Nov 1855 North Adelaide - 1 Sep 1858 North Adelaide
- Julius - 22 Jul 1857 North Adelaide - 29 Oct 1933
- Anna Catharina - 9 Jul 1859 North Adelaide - 15 Jul 1939 Adelaide
- Adelheit - 1 Oct 1861 North Adelaide - 20 Dec 1952
- Gesiene - 12 Aug 1865 North Adelaide - 15 Sep 1939
- Henry - 30 Nov 1867 North Adelaide - 26 Jul 1949
- George Albert - 27 Apr 1870 North Adelaide - 24 Dec 1938 Adelaide
Residences in the City
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Work in the City
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Published Obituary
From the Adelaide Observer, Saturday 21 December 1901:
THE LATE MR. L. CONRAD.
A Noteworthy Career. The death of Mr. Leopold Conrad, in his eightieth year, which occurred at his residence, Helstonleigh, East Terrace, Adelaide, on Tuesday evening, further depletes the fast-vanishing band of men who, having come to Australia in the early years of their lives founded commercial houses which have done much for Australia. The late Mr. Conrad was born on October 4, 1839, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, which, during the reign of King William the Fourth was under British rule, and on the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne in 1836, succeeded to the Duke of Cumberland. Having left Hanover in his nineteenth year, Mr. Conrad arrived in South Australia in February, 1858. Five years afterwards he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of Cornwall, England, and two days later, on August 1, 1863, began business in a small way as a meat salesman in Hindley street. His indomitable courage and business ability laid the foundations of the biggest butchering business in this State — in fact, the largest of its kind controlled by one man in the Commonwealth. Interesting reminiscences are recalled of the early days when Adelaide was a mere village, and trade was solicited in 'a little old fashioned shop ' with a thatched roof, situated on the site now occupied by the extensive works at the corner of Hindley and Victoria streets. In his declining years he handed the management of his business, over to his son, Mr. Arthur E. Conrad. The initial sales of cattle and sheep by auction were begun just prior to the deceased gentleman's entry into business, and cattle were sold at the yards in Stepney, a suburb now closely populated. Sheep and lambs were yarded opposite the Newmarket Hotel, on North Terrace; and, although all traces have disappeared of the venue, sales were continued there until the erection of the Metropolitan Abattoirs. Railways in the fifties were unknown, and beef supplies for Adelaide travelled from far inland. During the 55 years of Mr. Conrad's successful career many and varied fluctuations in prices were recorded. Prime bullocks were purchased at rates ranging from £8 to £40 each, and mutton at prices which, permitted sales at 1d. a lb.
—The Canning Industry.—
Keen business instinct enabled Mr. Conrad to grasp the possibilities of the canning industry, and on the discovery of the Broken Hill mines, and later of the Western Australian goldfields, immense quantities of canned meat were dispatched to the mining centre. Not content with local trade overseas connections were successfully sought and the East Indies, Java, and Japan inhabitants received the packings of the Adelaide house. The Admiralty and War Office also figured on the records of the larger purchasers outside Australia, and great quantities of beef and mutton were treated at the Dry Creek works for the forces. Unfortunately, the geographical position of South Australia was not favourable to the furtherance of an invaluable industry. The installation of cold storage facilities on mail boats and interstate liners and the erection of canning works in New South Wales and Queensland sounded the death knell of an industry which has completely passed into the control of interstate firms.
—An Unassuming .Philanthropist.—
It may be truly said of Mr. Conrad that no deserving case calling for philanthropy ever met with a refusal from him. In this direction he ever exercised a practical interest in the welfare of his employees. Like the true philanthropist, he never sought publicity in regard to his acts, and only his beneficiaries and managerial staff were acquainted with his innumerable kindnesses which brightened the lives of his more unfortunate fellowmen. Four years of war witnessed increased calls upon his generosity, and during that period he earned the gratitude of numerous funds and organizations, and the respect and esteem of many returned soldiers for practical help and empathy. Not only from a monetary point was support forthcoming in the fight for freedom. One son, three grandsons, and six nephews bearing his name donned khaki saw service abroad, and three made the supreme sacrifice. Every inducement was offered his employees to enlist on the outbreak of war, and those who survived are assured of their positions on their return to civil life. Business and home life claimed the greater part of his time; consequently he was not prominent in public life, For many years he held office as Councillor and Chairman of the Walkerville District Council and for a term as a member of the Adelaide City Council. Mr Peter Waite was among his most intimate friends, and on being acquainted with his last serious illness, expressed deep regret. 'We were close friends during the last 35 or 40 years," he remarked, "and he appealed to me as one of the most honourable, straightforward, and noble men it has been my good fortune to know."
-A Friendship of 50 Years.- "I had known Mr. Conrad for the past 50 years," said the Hon. John Lewis, M.L.C.. "Our dealings in stock were on an extensive scale, even in the earlier days, and coupled with most cordial business relations, was a firm friendship. A friendship which stands the test of 50 years is indeed a friendship. Mr. Conrad was an excellent judge of stock, and his quiet, unassuming, manner and straightforward actions in all his dealings won him legions of friends in the commercial world. His word was his bond, and a more honourable man it would have been, impossible to find. His attention was given entirely to his business, and regrets were frequently expressed that he was not more closely associated with public life. Nevertheless he was an ideal colonist, and one whose life reflects to the benefit of his country. One happening some years ago calls to mind his consideration for others, and the concern he felt, if through an action of his, one suffered either mentally or bodily. On this particular occasion I was crossing the street when he accidentally knocked me down with his buggy. Happily no serious consequences attended the accident, but his anxious enquiries for my welfare and the mental pain that slight mishap caused him, served to illustrate the type of man whom all men. admire and respect."
-The Family.—
The deceased has left a widow and an adult family. Messrs. Leo ( Auckland, N.Z.). Ernest (Rose Park), Albert (Glen Osmond), Louis (St Peters), Arthur (Henley Beach), and Frank Conrad (active service, A.I.F.), and Mesdames O. Ziegler (Rose Park) and W. H. Morton (Wellington, N.Z.).[1]
References
- ↑ "The Late Mr. L. Conrad". The Register. Adelaide, South Australia. 18 Dec 1918.