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William Peter Snodgrass (1860–1900)

The residents of Yea were quite unprepared for the shock which the announcement of Mr. W. [William Peter] Snodgrass' death caused on Monday last. It was known some three weeks ago that he had been suffering from influenza, but it veas understood that he had quite recovered, and no one entertained the worst fears for one of such hardy a stitution. The facts are, however, that on Thursday last he suffered a relapse, and called in Dr. Murphy, locum tenens for Dr. Harkness. Dr. Murphy diagnosed the case as bronchial pneumonia. On Friday and Saturday Mr. Snodgrass progressed satisfactorily under the doctor's treatment, but on Sunday he again collapsed and gradually sank until the hour of his death, which occurred about 11.15 on Monday morning.

Deceased was born at Tarwell Station, Trawool, and was the eldest son of W. P. S. Snodgrass, son of Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass, Acting Governor of Tasmania. He spent the years of his boyhood in Yea, and, on the decease of his father, went to Doogallook, where he lived and studied the pastoral and grazing industry, under the late Jno. B. Hamilton, Esq., where he gained a very thorough insight into all matters pertaining to stock, and became so proficient as to be accredited one of the best judges of sheep and cattle in the Upper Goulburn. After the distribution of his father's estate he purchased land at Ghin Ghin. He then married the eldest daughter of E. S. Purcell, Esq., of this town, and settled on his estate. Here he remained until about two years ago, when his homestead was burned out by the bush-fires. He then removed to a property on the Whittlesea Road, where he was engaged in the dairying industry at the time of his death. He was of a particularly jovial and frank disposition, which gained for him the goodwill of all he came in contact with, as especially, did his great generosity in the helping of his neighbors and others, very often at considerable inconvenience and loss to himself. Great sympathy is felt, therefore, for Mrs. Snodgrass and her young family of four childien in the unexpected and very sad bereavement.

The funeral took place yesterday, leaving the late residence of deceased about two o'clock. The cortege, which was a very long and representative one, including 20 vehicles and some 40 horsemen, was headed by the hearse, and immediately followed by the two brothers, Archibald and Thomas, followed by Mr. E. S. Purcell and family and the immediate friends of deceased. The service of the Presbyterian Church was conducted at the grave by the Rev. D. Milne who, at the conclusion, delivered a short and very appropriate address to the mourners, concluding with solemn prayer and the benediction.

Original publication

Citation details

'Snodgrass, William Peter (1860–1900)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/snodgrass-william-peter-18873/text30510, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1860
Trawool, Victoria, Australia

Death

19 March, 1900 (aged ~ 40)
Yea, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

pneumonia

Occupation