CHARLES SIEGMUND
Carl Gustav Adolph Siegmund.
Little seems to be known about Charles Siegmund, and at the time of writing this biography he lies in an unmarked grave in the Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mount Gambier. The Cemetery records state he died on 17 March 1906 and was interred in Plot 79 Section B on 18th March 1906, aged just 50 years.
His naturalization certificate says he was born in Elbing Germany, and arrived in Australia in 1880 aboard the ship “Ly-ee-moon”. NB the writing is most difficult to read so the name of the ship maybe incorrect. His naturalization took place in New South Wales on 20th March 1889. Occupation – Wood carver.
Mr. Siegmund’s obituary states he was born in Germany and received his training as a wood carver in one of the excellent technical schools of that country. He at one time owned a business in Sydney with a number of men in his service. He won the £100 prize offered by the Government of new South Wales for the best model of a new railway station for the city of Sydney, and the station was built in all essential points after his design. He did all the exquisite carving in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Sydney.
Mr. Siegmund had lived in Mount Gambier for around 12 years at the time of his death, making his arrival here circa 1894. He was one of 4 people who submitted a plan for the building of the Centenary Tower, which was accepted with some modifications. The foundation stone for this building was laid on 3rd December 1900 by the Right Honorable Sir Samuel Way, Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Justice. The stone was prepared and transported to the top by Mr. J.E. Topham, and the silver trowel used for the occasion was later presented to the Mount Gambier Institute. At 11 o’clock there were about 450 people on top of the Mount besides 300 school-children of the Mount Gambier public School, who had been brought up under the charge of Mr. O.D. Jones, the headmaster.
Mr. Siegmund’s obituary tells us that he had been ill and had to abandon work. He was a member of the Freemasons and had been visited by two members and on the Saturday morning Constable Resly came to his room at Mrs. Bourke’s Commercial Street East. After knocking and receiving no response he found him dead in his room. It is believed he died of internal cancer. A further comment in his obituary states he was too fond of the wine cup. His funeral was held on the Sunday afternoon with about 20 members of the Masonic Lodge in attendance. The funeral was conducted by Rev. F.W. Matchoss of the Lutheran Church. Mr. G.B. Renfrey was the funeral director.
It was not believed that he had any relatives in Australia.
Sources: – Border Watch 21 March 1906 page 3
Ancestry – Naturalization certificate.
Lake Terrace Cemetery records – Plot and Section numbers.
