Story: Ernst August Adler (1860 - 1930)

From "The Uebergang Families in Australia, 1848 - 1985", added to this site 14 Feb 2003

August was baptised at Winslow by the pioneer Lutheran pastor, C.W. Schürmann, on a date unknown; and he was confirmed at Murtoa by Pastor C.G Hiller. His early life was spent on his parents' farm at Winslow near Warrnambool. August was 12 when his family moved permanently to Marma Gully (Murtoa) in the Wimmera in 1875. Then the family moved south of the lake to Ashens where they lived on his brother Ned's block (until 1881), later moving to his father's own selection next door.

Because August suffered badly from asthma, which was affected by dust, his father believed that he couldn't be a farmer. Consequently he was found positions at Custs General Store and Anderson Brothers Store (Burrereo and Murtoa), where he served a number of years.

His great desire, however, was to become a farmer like his brothers; and in the 1880's he took up farming with his father, Johann, at Ashens. By that stage Johann was farming John Deutscher's former block, having sold his original selection, next door, to his son Harry. As with his other sons, Johann assisted August to become established on that block; and when August married in 1888, his parents retired back to Harry's farm. They were living there when Johann died.

Christiane was sister to Johann Mirtschin, whose wife was August's oldest sister, Ernstine. She had been brought up in the Gnadethal community near Penshurst, and the couple were married by Pastor Schürmann.

Despite the privations of early pioneering times, August and Christiane worked industriously to become prosperous farmers. Christiane sold farm produce in Murtoa, walking to and from town along the railway track.

In 1892 Ned Adler sold his original Ashens selection, 'Union Farm', to August, and moved to Kellalac near Warracknabeal. Some time later Harry sold his block; and when the new owner began to charge his mother rent, August moved her house through the fence onto what had been Ned's block.

August continued to live on Deutscher's former selection, farming the two blocks as one. Some time later he decided to move to the 'Union Farm' selection, and in 1908 he built a new house there. It is possible they lived in Ned's old house on 'Union Farm' for a while before the new house was built.

His mother's increasing age meant that she could no longer live alone. Consequently her house was moved once again, and joined onto the new house. She died there in 1911.

August's keen business acumen meant that he could establish his sons on the land, and finance Otto's theological training. August was a life-time member of St John's Lutheran Church, Murtoa, and readily supported the church, charity and community enterprises.

Christiane died of heart failure at the relatively young age of 58 years. At the time of her death - two months after her brother Johann died at Penshurst - August and eight other members of the family were suffering from the influenza epidemic which so tragically swept the district. Christiane was buried by Pastor C.J. Siegle.

Eight years later August was married again by Pastor Siegle. Bertha Lehmann was the niece of his first wife, and in the three short years of their marriage she attended to her husband as his health failed. His years of asthma had undoubtedly undermined his constitution, and in the end an influenza attack affected his weakened heart.

Apart from his wife, August was predeceased by one son in childhood and also by his oldest son Paul, who died in a tragic horse-riding accident 12 months before August's own death. Pastor Siegle and Pastor W.W. Fritsch of Natimuk, the son of August's cousin, officiated at his funeral. He was aged 69 years.

Bertha continued to live at 'Union Farm' with her family until her own death, 23 years later. She was a member of St John's Lutheran Church and Ladies Guild (Murtoa) and was also aged 69 when she died. Bertha was buried by Pastor O. Mattiske of St John's Church.

Emmie Adler married Harry McIntyre who worked at 'Union Farm', before farming at Golton, St Helen's Plains, south of Murtoa. Later they bought the farm owned by Emmie's brothers, Paul and Jack, at Rupanyup. They retired to Murtoa.

Paul married Addie Uhe. He also worked at 'Union Farm' before purchasing 'The Oaks', a farm near Rupanyup, with his brother Jack. After Paul was killed Jack continued to farm there until the McIntyres bought it. Addie later married Berthold Andreas Petering (9/1/1901 - 25/1/1954). She still lives in Murtoa.

Mary married Gus Konig and they farmed at Jung North until retirement.

Jack farmed at Rupanyup, later retiring back to 'Union Farm'.

Ern died at the home of his aunt Tilly Renzow, at Malvern, aged 6½ years.

Kon married Meg Blaess. He also worked at 'Union Farm' before farming at Rupanyup from 1926 to 1936. They then moved to Murrawarra near Dimboola for eight years before taking up a grazing property at Gritjurk, near Coleraine. Ill health forced his retirement to Warrnambool in 1964.

Otto married Irene Stephan. He trained at Concordia College, Adelaide andt Wartburg Lutheran Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry at Murtoa in 1925, and then served at Nundah (Queensland, 1925-1950), North Adelaide (South Australia), Kingaroy (Queensland), Hamilton (Victoria) and Magill (South Australia, 1962-1967). His son Reg was also a Lutheran minister. Irene still lives in Adelaide.

Frank married Ena Blanchard. After working at 'Union Farm' he obtained his own property, 'Karingal', north-east of Murtoa. They later retired into the town where Ena still lives. Their eldest son now farms 'Karingal'.

Bill married Clementine Mirtschin and farmed at 'Union Farm' all his life. With his second wife, Betty Jantzki, he retired into Murtoa in 1984.

The above is extracted from
The Uebergang Families in Australia 1848 - 1985
© The Uebergang History Committee, 1985,
pp. 120-123.
Quoted with permission.