G - Generations, Geography, Genealogy
This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded in my genealogy database.
On this day - April 8
1954 - Death: John Stephens EDDY, 2nd cousin once removed - Broken Hill, New South Wales
John was born in 1891 in Broken Hill, NSW to Bridget Rose O'Dea and John S Eddy. Bridget was the daughter of Thomas O'Dea, a brother of my gt. grandfather. Thomas O'Dea had moved north from Pinkerton Plains and now his daughter Bridget was to marry John S Eddy in Broken Hill in 1889. (1) This was about 550 kms from Pinkerton Plains so it would have been unlikely that her first cousins who resided there would have seen her again.
John Stephens Eddy was Bridget’s first born son named after his father John S Eddy.
At age 24, John married Margaret Wallschutzky in July of 1915. They must have been sad when John's older sister Alice died just a few months later, she was only 25 (2). John and Margaret went on to parent seven children, six of whom lived into adulthood. Their third child Mary Maude died at just 2 years old in 1922.(3)
Throughout the years of their marriage John and Margaret lived in the Eddy family home at 470 Cummins St in Broken Hill. John was often mentioned in the newspapers of the day as a winning exhibitor at the local show and for his involvement with the cycling club. In 1933 when the Mica Street Filtration Plant became operational the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association insisted that an engine driver from the power plant should operate the power for the filtration plant that was now to supply water to the City Baths.(4) John was an active member of this union, and was employed by the Water Board.
John’s involvement in the community went beyond his professional duties. He was a proud member of the H.A.C.B.S. Sacred Heart Lodge, F.E.D. & F.A., the Water Board Social Club, and the Broken Hill Cycling Club. His love for cycling earned him the prestigious title of life member of the League of Wheelmen, reflecting his dedication to the sport and its growth in Broken Hill.
The social pages of the local papers mention visitors to the Eddy's home from Sydney and Adelaide. The train from Sydney to Broken Hill took 25 hours in the 1930s. (5) Adelaide was more accessible, a 14 hour rail journey with the break at Terowie. (6) In 1949 The Eddy's took their annual leave in Adelaide.
John's membership of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society and his burial in the Catholic Cemetery provide evidence of his religious beliefs and affiliation. When John died in 1954 the obituaries mentioned his employment and his family.
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| 1954 'Death of Mr. J. S. Eddy', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 9 April, p. 4. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49422846 |
John Eddy’s funeral was held on a Saturday afternoon, following his death that Thursday morning. The cortege departed from his Cummins Street residence, with many paying their final respects as he was laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery. The service was led by Rev. Father L. Leonard. There were representatives from the the organisations he had been involved with throughout his life. The pallbearers were Messrs. R. Finlay, C. Wickham, F. Bayes, A. Wiseman, and H. Wallschutzky. Among those present were:
Water Board Employees: Messrs. F. Bayes and L. Fishburn, A. Wallschutzky
Water Board Social Club: Messrs. B. Lavers and J. Ryan
H.A.C.B.S. Lodge: Mr. F. Lovett
F.E.D. & F.A.: Mr. F. Cunning
Broken Hill Cycling Club: Mr. C. Wickham
League of Wheelmen: Mr. C. Glasson
Water Board Staff: Mr. B. H. Rayner
League of Wheelmen Appeal Board: Messrs. T. G. Killer and C. A. Kelly
Water Board Representative: Mr. G. Cherry (7)
Children of John Stephens Eddy and Margaret Wallschutzy
Eileen Rose Eddy (1916–1996) married Richard Trembath in 1935
John Albert Eddy (1919–1960) married Gwendoline Renfree in 1942
Mary Maude Eddy (1921–1922) infant death
Robert Clement Eddy (1922–1987) married Bertha Gould in 1940
Walter Stephens Eddy (1926–2006) married Ada Callaghan in 1949
Marie Rita Eddy (1929–1990) married A Klaebe in 1951
Thomas Brian Eddy (1936–1997) married M Williams in 1956
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1, 1889 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 16 October, p. 4. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24486436
2. 1915 'Family Notices', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 22 November, p. 4
3. 1922 'Family Notices', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 6 December, p2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45591217
4 1934 'NEW MOVE IN BATHS CASE', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 31 December, p. 1. (HOME EDITION) http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49529845
5. 1930 'THE SYDNEY RAILWAY', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 17 December, p. 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46541127
6. 1932 'EXTRA TRAIN FOR ADELAIDE ON THURSDAY,.MARCH 24', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 1 March, p. 1 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46643381
7. 1954 'Funeral of Mr J. S. Eddy', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 12 April, p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4942325
The newspapers fill in so much detail - even the lists of prizewinners at the shows. There are quite a few places in Australia where the major centre is interstate but Broken Hill is one of the notable ones.
ReplyDeleteYes I have found many prizewinners at shows, school speech days, country picnic occasions.
DeleteI now understand why Broken Hill people select Adelaide as their "big city" in preference to Sydney. I had never pondered on the relative distances.
ReplyDeleteI lived in SA for the first 22 years of my life but never got to Broken Hill.
DeleteI loved reading this Carmel. It's great when prize winners are announced in the papers as you just never know what you will find. I also loved it as Broken Hill is a place that I love and have visited often. It's definitely a long way from most places. For us it's about 7 hours driving but always worth it.
ReplyDeleteA place I have never been to and probably at this stage of life unlikely to go there. The detail in the Broken Hill newspapers is great given the relatively small population in earlier times.
DeleteWhen my cousins and I began to move away from Detroit, we rarely saw each other unless we both showed up in Detroit. And that's even with modern methods of travel, so I can imagine how it was 100 years ago.
ReplyDeleteWe rarely saw first cousins when I was a child as we all lived scattered over South Australia and none of the families would have had any spare money for travel.
DeleteTrove is such a gift to all of us, revealing snippets of life that would otherwise have remained hidden. Like John, my grandfather was in the HACBS and often named in newspaper ads advising of a member’s funeral.
ReplyDelete