Heinrich Ludwig Vosz (1812-1886): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 137: Line 137:
==Published Obituary ==
==Published Obituary ==


From ''The Register'', Saturday 30 November 1878:
From ''The Adelaide Observer'', Saturday 13 March 1886:
<blockquote>Death of Mr. Bartels.
<blockquote>DEATH OF MR. H. L. VOSZ.
The announcement of the death of Mr. A. H. F. Bartels we are sure will be received with very general regret by the citizens of Adelaide. Mr. Bartels was in all respects what is known as a self-made man, and his career exemplifies in a marked degree how by the possession of sterling qualities consistently displayed in all his dealings a man of humble origin may raise himself to a position of eminence in the community.


Mr. Bartels was born in Hanover, and in his early years followed the trade of a cigarmaker at Hamburg. Thence he went to Breslau, where he met the father of Mr. B. Seppelt, with whom he came out under engagement via Melbourne to South Australia about 1848, and worked for him as a farm labourer at Seppeltsfield for a year. He then entered the employ of Messrs. Gerke & Rodemann, in Adelaide, as a cigarmaker, and after a visit to the Victorian gold-fields returned to Adelaide and opened a tobacconist's shop on his own account. After the death of Mr. Uhlendorf, who kept the King of Hanover Hotel, Mr. Bartels married his widow and carried on the business from 1855 till the end of 1865, when he entered into partnership with Mr G. H. C. Meyer as general agents and grain merchants— a connection which existed up till the time of his death.
The death is announced of Mr. H. L, Vosz, an old and much - respected colonist. The deceased, who was born in Hanover, arrived in the colony in the year 1846, and started in Acland-street as a joiner. When the diggings broke out in Victoria he went there, and on his return he established him self in Rundle-street as a painter, glazier, and paperhanger. Starting at first in a small way his business gradually grew until it became one of the largest in the colonies, and yielded its proprietor great wealth. Mr. Vosz was for a long time a martyr to neuralgia, and a few years ago he paid a visit to Germany, where be underwent an operation, which relieved him for a while, but he had been confined to his bed since October last. Mr. Vosz interested himself greatly in the artesian-well system, to which he devoted much study and had acquired a thorough practical knowledge on the subject. He procured all the information he could from abroad on the latest appliances and their application to this colony, and also obtained machinery with a view to developing the work of water conservation. He was a quiet unassuming citizen of the useful type, devoting himself to business; and though he kept aloof from active political work he was a close observer of the course of events and a shrewd reasoner, showing a keen and intelligent interest in the development of the country. He was of a charitable disposition, but it was a portion of his practical character to avoid ostentatious benevolence. He was the last of the Vosz family, his wife and younger son having died some years ago, and his elder son more recently. Although, as before stated, he took no prominent part in public affairs, yet he held the position of Councillor of the City of Adelaide during the vears 1860,1861, and 1862. The deceased gentleman, who died at ten minutes to 2 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, was 74 years of age.


In December, 1866, Mr. Bartels was chosen by the ratepayers of Hindmarsh Ward to represent them in the City Council— a position he retained for four years, and the manner in which he had discharged his functions gave so much satisfaction that after a year's absence from the Council he was in December, 1871, elected Mayor of the City, being the following year returned to the office unopposed. Mr. Bartels was not a man of words. He never talked for talking sake, but only when he had something worth saying, and the good sound, common sense, the diligent attention to his duties, thorough integrity, straightforwardness, and business ability which distinguished his action in municipal affairs were quite as apparent in the concerns of his everyday life. That these qualities were well recognised was shown by the fact that he occupied the position of Director of the Permanent Equitable Building Society and other public Companies to the satisfaction of shareholders. He was also a member of the Destitute Board.
An intimate friend of the late Mr. H. L. Vosz has furnished us with the following interesting sketch of the deceased gentleman:—


About six weeks before his death Mr. Bartels was seized with severe illness caused by a tumour on the liver, from the effects of which he died on Saturday, November 9, at the age of fifty-eight. Some years ago his first wife died and he was married again to Miss Weidenbach, of Glen Osmond, who survives him with six children besides a married daughter by his previous wife.
" Heinrich Ludwig Vosz was born at Hanover on May 3,1812. His father was a poor man, and moved a few years after the birth of his son to a village near Hamburg. To make both ends meet the son had, at the age of 12, to work for his own living with farmers, or where he could find employment. Even at this early period in his life he must have possessed extraordinary powers of observation and determination, because in his old age he often referred to this period of his life, and remarked how much better things might have been done in those days, and what he had pointed out to his employers in that respect At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a carpenter, and worked at his trade for many years. By dint of hard saving he at last accumulated enough capital to enter into business at Hamburg as a builder on his own account. He met with considerable success till the memorable year 1848 with its disturbances and revolutions swept over the Continent of Europe, and in its wake left many a hope destroyed. My dear old friend was one of the victims. But young and strong he determined to go with his wife and two sons to South Australia, and earn enough money to pay his creditors in full. He arrived at Port Adelaide in January, 1849, and set to work to carry out his purpose. Shortly after his arrival gold was discovered in Victoria, and he went to the diggings and was fairly successful. On his return to Adelaide he rented premises in Rundle-Street. and built up the well-known business of H, L. Vosz, painter and glazier. He now saw his way clear to pay his creditors in full, and the proudest and happiest day of his life was the day when the Hamburg Reform (February, 1860) published an article under the heading 'Ein Braver Mann,' stating how a Mr. Heinrich Ludwig Vosz had sent money to a friend there, and had paid every creditor in full with interest at the rate of 10 per cent, added. The success in business of my dear old friend is so well known that nothing need be said on that score, except that he was aided in this by his late son William, who died August 9,1883. Mr. H. L. Vosz attained this success largely by his sterling character and straight forwardness as a business man. He was one of the few men against whom no man could say 'one evil word.' This, combined with great good judgment and carefulness in expenditure, brought its result. In his private capacity he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was liberal to a fault, and many hundreds of people have been helped by him unknown to outsiders. He disliked to be thanked or what he did being known. There was nothing he disliked more than 'fuss.' For any kindness shown him he never forgot to be thankful, as is illustrated by a notable instance in his early days here. Messrs. Cleve Brothers allowed him a certain amount of credit. Of course he paid them, but one of those gentlemen wanting help he has helped him liberally. At his home, in spite of intense suffering, he was always; anxious for the comfort of his friends and visitors. To his employés he was more of a father than a master. In fact a more up right, kind, generous man, combined with determination, could hardly be found. For many years he has been subject to the most intense pain, caused by a neuralgic affection. He suffered more in a day than many people suffer in a lifetime, but in spite of it he was always the kind genial old Vosz. I have no doubt, and this will be verified by his will, that the distribution of his property has been made most judiciously. A large portion will be found to have been left to our charitable institutions, and I believe future generations will be able to point to dear old Vosz as 'Ein Braver Mann,' which was his great aim while he was with us."


On November 11 the funeral took place and was largely attended, the cortege to West terrace including about thirty vehicles. The chief mourners were the two young sons of the deceased, Dr. Neubauer (son-in-law), Messrs. J. Eitzen, B. and E. Weidenbach (brothers in law), M. F. Weidenbach, G. H. C. Meyer, and E. Pustkuchen. There were also present the Hon. W. Sandover, Drs. Gorger and Renner, Dr. Schomburgk, Messrs. Basedow, M.P, Krichauff, M.P., J. M. Solomon (Chairman of the Destitute Board), Lindsay (Secretary), A. Tilemann, A. Kauffmann, C. L. Meyer, [[Wilhelm Gustav Kindermann (1855-1901)|G. Kindermann]], [[Heinrich Ludwig Vosz (1812-1886)|H. L.]] and W. Vosz, J. Kelly, A. Adamson, D. Matinke, O. Farr, O. Kankin, C. Othams, W. D. Hewer, H. Steiner, A. Balk, Homburg, F.W. Wittwer, Bussenschutt, [[Johann Friedrich Martin Armbruster (1826-1897)|F. Armbruster,]] H. O. Uhlmann, O. Ziegler, Heir, Kolwes, Schutze, C.E. Tidemann, Kruss, and others..<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Death of Mr. Bartels|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42992522 |work= The South Australian Register |location=Adelaide, South Australia |date=30 November 1878 |access-date=}}</ref></blockquote>
The remains of the late Mr. Vosz were interred on Wednesday afternoon in the West-terrace Cemetery. The procession started at 3 o'clock from North-terrace, and consisted in all of forty-six carriages. There were no mourning coaches, but four vehicles were set apart for the chief mourners, who included Messrs. Rischbeith, Stock, Bocher, Kelly, Meyer, Herber, Hubald, Harrison, Moldie, Balk, and Tennant. The coffin was conveyed to the hearse by Messrs. Harrison and Moldie. Following the chief mourners were the deceased's employés, who occupied eight wagonettes. The Rev. J. C. Woods, B.A., officiated at the grave. We are informed that no fewer than fifty-two legatees received notice to be present at the reading of the will of Mr. H. L. Vosz on Wednesday afternoon.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Death of Mr. H.L. Vosz|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160750942 |work= The Adelaide Observer |location=Adelaide, South Australia |date=13 March 1886 |access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref></blockquote>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
Line 163: Line 162:
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:City councillors]]
[[Category:City councillors]]
[[Category:Hamburg citizens]]

Navigation menu