Obituaries Australia

Frederick Miller, n.d.

There passed away, on Sunday morning the 18th instant, a very old resident of the district, in the person of Mr Frederick Miller, of Bergin's Hill, Bundamba. Deceased who had reached the age of 79 years, was born in Wurtenburg, Germany, but left his native land when about fourteen years of age so as to escape the military training which was compulsory in that country. He arrived in Queensland about 65 years ago. From the Immigration Depot, he was taken, by the late Mr. Forbes, to his residence, at Limestone Hill and subsequently sent on to his station at Emu Creek, where he first gained Colonial experience, and where he remained for about five years. From Emu Creek station he entered the employ of the late James Ivory, of Eskdale Station where he remained as stockman for a number of years. While employed there he was married to Anne, second daughter of the late Mr. Wm Daniells, of Moombra, near Esk. Leaving Eskdale station deceased became a partner with his father-in-law for a number of years, and engaged in cotton growing in the Booval district. Subsequently he re-entered the employ of the late James Ivory, and was manager of that gentleman's Bundamba and Nukeninda stations for about twenty years. During this term deceased was entrusted by his employer to do all the buying and selling of stock on the stations and also to supervise the Stud books, and pedigrees of stock. In 1884 Nukeninda Station was sold to the late Mr. John Ashburn, and deceased continued to manage the station for that gentleman for two years, after which he left and came to reside at Bremer View, Bundamba. Here he followed several labouring occupations for a number of years eventually selling his home and going to Southport, where he conducted a boarding house and fruit business for eight years. Owing to ill-health deceased decided to leave Southport and nine years ago returned to Bundamba, where he resided until the time of his death. During his career in the bush deceased had some marvellous escapes from death, having had horses gored to death under him. He also had great experience as a rider of buck-jumping horses. Deceased was considered to be one of the best riders in the country as a young man. He could also tell of the escapes he had from the blacks, who could not be trusted in those days. For 48 years he was a member of the Western Star Lodge, G.U.O.O.F., and went through all the chairs of the Order, being one of the most active members during the first thirty years of that period. For the last 36 years the deceased was an active member of the Salvation Army, having joined that body soon after they started the Bundamba Corps and he occupied various positions as a local official in the ranks. Deceased leaves a large circle of friends to mourn their loss in addition to his widow, ten sons, and three daughters, 61 grand-children, and 38 great grand-children. The sons of the deceased are Messrs. George Miller, of Gatton, Frederick Miller of Toowoomba, William Miller of the firm of Walker and Co., colliery proprietors, Bundamba, John Miller, Deputy Blackheath Colliery, Bundamba, Martin Miller, vice-President Q.C.E.U., Bundamba, James Miller, Dinmore, Henry Miller, Bundamba, Andrew Miller, Southport, Samuel Miller, North Ipswich and Alan Miller, Southport. The daughters of deceased are Mrs. S Burns, Balaclava, Melbourne, Mrs. J Donnelly, Bundamba, Mrs. C. E. Medland, Southport, and the late Miss Grace Miller, who predeceased her father by 24 years.