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Adolphus Frederick Rooke (1814–1881)

Another old and respected colonist has departed this life in the person of Mr Adolphus Frederick Rooke, who died at his late residence, The Retreat, near Deloraine, on Monday last, aged 66. Mr Rooke had been confined to his house for upwards of twelve months, suffering from paralysis, the effect of a severe accident he met with some considerable time since. Of late he has been sinking fast, all hopes of his ultimate recovery having been abandoned, and he suffered greatly towards the end. Mr Rooke, who was a native of Hartford, England, was a colonist of some 45 years' standing, having arrived in Tasmania about the year 1836, and during his lengthy career here he has been closely identified with the interests of Deloraine, at which place he has resided almost from his first arrival in the colony. He confined his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, being a considerable landholder, but for many years he carried on business as a brewer. Mr Rooke took a deep interest in political matters, and was first elected to Parliament as member for Deloraine in 1856, under the new Constitution when that district was as proclaimed a constituency. In 1862 he retired from the Assembly, but in 1871, when Devon was divided into three electorates, he contested East Devon against the late Mr John Davies, and was returned. Mr Rooke represented East Devon until 1872, when he finally retired from Parliament. When the idea of establishing a railway from Launceston to Deloraine, was first mooted, Mr Rooke took a very active part in the matter, being one of the first promoters, and he was afterwards elected as a director. In 1869 he was placed on the magisterial roll of the colony. The deceased—who leaves a widow and three daughters, two of whom are married—first wedded Miss Archer, sister to T. K. Archer, Esq., and after her death married Miss Butler, a sister of the Hon. Dr. Butler, the present Speaker of the House of Assembly. He was brother to Colonel Rooke, of Torquay, and uncle to Mr H. I. Rooke, of the firm of Rooke and Maddox of this town. The deceased, who was a large employer of labour, was regarded by all who knew him as a hospitable and liberal-minded gentleman, and his loss will be deeply felt throughout the district in which he resided. The funeral will leave his late residence for St. Mark's Church at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow.

Original publication

Citation details

'Rooke, Adolphus Frederick (1814–1881)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/rooke-adolphus-frederick-17029/text28884, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Adolphus Rooke, n.d.

Adolphus Rooke, n.d.

Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Tasmania, 618882

Life Summary [details]

Birth

27 April, 1814
Hartford, Cheshire, England

Death

12 December, 1881 (aged 67)
Deloraine, Tasmania, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation