Rusby William
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Also known as: | William Rusby |
| Date of birth | 14/08/1838 |
| Place of birth | Yorkshire England |
| Date of arrival | c. 1866 |
| Principal occupation | Miller |
| Date of death | 12/02/1910 |
| Place of death | Willaston cemetery - Gawler |
William migrated to Gawler in approximately 1866 at the age of 28. He married Annie Potter on 24 may 1867 at the Bible Christian Chapel in Lyndoch, SA. They had 11 children, all of whom were born in Gawler; Robert, John, William, Annie, Lilli, Edward, George (Benjamin), Frederick, Bert (Samuel Herbert), and two other boys who died at an early age. In 1873 they bought a block of land on Adelaide road, Gawler South (lot 156). Possiblely, his father-in-law, a stone mason, built them the house on the property, where William lived until his death in 1910, aged 71. He is now burried in the Willaston cemetery with his wife, Annie Rusby (nee Potter), who died on July 26, 1913, aged 69. Although a miller by trade, it's believed he spent a lot of time working in a foundry in Gawler (Probably May Brothers).
Robert, the first son of William and Annie, was born on 15 March, 1868. He worked for Mr. Hobart in Gawler as a carpenter, and also drove the horse and tram between Murray street and Gawler South Station. He lived on Adelaide road and married Anne Hillier, but the marriage was not blessed with any children. Robert was a member of the Salvation Army, and passed away on 21 January, 1946, where he was laid to rest in the Willaston cemetery with his wife, Anne.
John was the second child, and was born on 16 September, 1871 (refer to John Rusby for more information.)
The third born child was William was born on 11 January, 1874. He operated the Rusby and George grocer shop in Gawler, in the position of what is now the Arcade leading to the Dr Deland consulting rooms. He later branched out on his own on the corner of Murray and Jacobs streets, which is now an Optus store. The business was later carried on by his son, Max. He lived on the Gawler blocks road, and his marriage to Fannie (nee Fanny Elizabeth McClaren) was blessed with five children. He died on 30 April 1934, at his then residence 24 Cowan Street,[1] and was laid to rest with his wife in the Willaston cemetery.
Annie Elizabeth, born 2 March, 1876, was the fourth child. At age 21, she married Tom Chirgwin, who was said to have fossicked for gold in the Barossa Gold Fields. Their marriage was blessed with four children. Annie died on 10 October, 1960, at age 84, and is also buried in the Willaston cemetery.
Ada Lillian, their fifth child, was born on 14 April, 1878. She married Arthur William Morrow, and their marriage was blessed with two girls. Their family lived in Gawler South, and Arthur was a carpenter at May Bros. Foundry. Lilli died at age 85, on 18 June, 1963, and was buried in the Willaston cemetery. (Click here for a c1920 photo of daughters Elva (b.1909) & Esma (b. 1913), outside the family's home at 66 Adelaide Road).
Edward was the sixth child, born on 10 April, 1880. He lived at 29 Adelaide Road, Gawler South, and was a skilled blacksmith who enjoyed building model steam engines. He also served in the first World War. Although Edward was a fine man, he married three times; first to Ilfra Kempson, who left him while he was away at war, his second wife was Mrs Campbell, and his third wife was Gertrude May Peters. Upon his return from the war, he established his own blacksmith shop in Gawler. He passed away in hospital on 12 October, 1966, after a tragic accident.
Benjamin George was born on 12 December, 1882. He was a tinsmith by trade, and worked for Mr Hammer in Gawler. In later years, he moved to work for Tailor Bros. as a tinsmith. He married Ida May Hillier, and they lived on Angle Vale road, Gawler South. Their marriage was blessed with three children. George, as he was known, passed away at age 85, on 9 March, 1969. It is presumed he is also buried at the Willaston cemetery.
Frederick was born on 21 February, 1887. He was a boiler maker at the railway workshop, Islington. He married Eliza Forby, and lived on Adelaide road, Gawler South, and later moved to Angle Vale road. Their marriage was blessed with three boys. Frederick was noted for his football, and was a star player for Gawler South Football Club. He died at age 77, on 30 September, 1964. He and his wife were laid to rest at the Willaston cemetery.
Born on 23 April, 1889, Samuel Herbert was William and Annie's last child. He married Mabel Thompson, and together they had five children. Bert, as he was known, was employed by the tramways and drove the electric tramcars in Adelaide. He lived at Enfield, and died on 4 September, 1930, age 41. He and his wife were laid to rest in the West Tce cemetery.
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