Johann (Ludwig) Riethmuller's Family
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Ludwig Riethmuller's family has no connections with the McLaran Family. His story is included to provide a background history of Dalby and because he and his descendants came into contact with Malcolm McLaran and 6 generations of his descendants*.
I have known some of of Ludwig's descendants since 1956 but only in 2015 did the multi-generational connection between the Riethmullers and the McLarans become apparent. Ludwig's first contact with the McLaren / McLaran family may have been at Louden where he worked alongside Alexander McLaren, youngest son of Malcolm McLaran. Johann (Ludwig) Riethmuller was born on 10 Mar 1851 at Neckarrems, Wurttemberg, Germany. Neckarrems is located 12 km from Stuttgart and today it is named Remseck. Ludwig emigrated to Queensland with his parents and married Louisa Albertina Florentina Hitz in 1875. Together they selected land near Jimbour, moved to Dalby late in the 19th century and raised a large family. Ludwig owned numerous Dalby properties - houses, land, shops - and was both a councillor and a contractor. Ludwig and his wife both passed away in 1939. Their children were successful local businessmen, public servants and talented musicians. The following interview in 1924 demonstrates the wealth of his knowledge of Dalby history and his excellent sense of humour. *Riethmuller - McLaran contacts: - Malcolm McLaran - Donald and Alexander (Ludwig worked with Alexander) - Malcolm's grandson Malcolm Lewis and his daughters - they shared the same church - myself - I went to school and remain friends with one of Ludwig Riethmuller's great grandsons and his family This remarkable 150 years of unbroken contact only became apparent in 2015. |
Headstone of Ludwig Riethmuller and his wife in the Dalby Monumental Cemetery.
1875 Ludwig Riethmuller's selection - Lot 391 - 319 acres.
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1863 Recollections of early Dalby recorded for the “Return to Dalby” celebrations in 1924. The Dalby Herald interviewed many Dalby pioneers in 1924 and published their memoirs progressively around April - May as the celebrations gained momentum. Another old pioneer interviewed was Eric Giesel. One of his descendants was our Dalby neighbour in 1950.
1 Apr 1924 Dalby Herald RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TOWN IN 1863. THRIVING AND LIVELY. Mr L. Riethmuller, by urgent request of the "Herald," has carried back his memory for us to his first acquaintance with the City of the Plains, then known as Myall Creek, and has endeavoured to recall his earliest impressions of it. He reminds us that about 1863 the business portion of the town, at least, lay on the eastern side of the Creek, though bark humpies were spread out the western side, even from the present post office towards the Tara railway line. Drayton street was then in its glory, business premises, extending on both sides of it out over the plain south easterly. Myall Street had many buildings in it, while Patrick Street boasted rather more importance than Cunningham street, which was later to come into its own! Nearly opposite to Mr W.R. Hunter’s residence in Myall Street, stood a two-storey wooden building, the only one, in Dalby, the Plough Inn. This house of beer was afterwards turned into a house of prayer, for it became St. Columba's Convent. The name of Milstead was at this time associated with it, that gentleman being apparently a successor to Mr W. Welland who again followed Mr Stewart. Further down towards Drayton st., and on the opposite side of Myall Street to the Plough Inn was the store belonging to John Sidney. It was certainly one of the leading business places in the town and district. The name was afterwards associated with the little bridge which was known as Sidney’s or the Convent bridge. At the Myall-Drayton street corner, then, doubtless, "the" corner of Dalby, stood on the site of Mr Lynch's house, Tom Burke's butcher's shop (no relation, we understand, to his namesake, our present worthy citizen). (It may be assumed that the corners in these days were not particularly well marked; and might indeed remain completely undefined - unless actually built upon to the frontage. Thus a building, standing on an allotment back from the actual surveyed peg, might well remain in the memory of being the corner.) As one goes out towards the plain from the Myall Street crossing, there were on the left the business premises of Mr Donpon, who combined baking and boarding house keeping, and further down, one of the banks, while on the right were buildings belonging to Mr Roche (who was forwarding agent and postmaster), another bank and a branch, store of Limmer, Rees and Robinson, of Toowoomba. The banks represented then (be believes) were the New South Wales, and the old Queensland: Bank (which after many vicissitudes succumbed in the crisis of 1893). Coming back along Drayton Street, and crossing the creek (then spanned only by Gaylor's bridge) D. Benjamin's premises occupied the present site of the Wambo Shire office, while nearly opposite stood Koch's saddler's shop. The Criterion Hotel, then kept by Gaylor, was on the position of Mr J. Hodge's house, nearly opposite the new bore baths. The enclosure now known as the recreation reserve at this time held the Town Council office, which appears to have stood about where the present bandstand is situated. A School of Arts reserve lay at the northern end of this portion. It has since been incorporated with the recreation reserve and furnishes the present informal entrance to the grounds from Patrick Street. From the Drayton-Myall crossing on the right, apparently at the corner of Scarlet Street, stood the North Star Hotel which was kept by a Mr T. Martin, while further down on the left near the corner of Myall and Patrick Streets, was Yule's blacksmith's shop. Turning to the left into Patrick Street and going towards the creek, Fontane's cabinet shop was on the right hand side, with the old Presbyterian church standing back. It was in this neighborhood that Mr Riethmuller himself afterwards sat down. The post office and railway station are mainly responsible for bringing the business portion of Dalby (says Mr Riethmuller) across the creek to tbe east side. Land, values suffered in consequence of the exodus. Mr Riethmuller remembers one piece of land upon which the bank advanced £300 that was afterwards sold by the Dalby Town Council at its first sale of allotments to recover rates, for less than five pounds - the amount of the rates due on it! Speaking of banks and their failures reminded Mr Riethmuller of the story of a Jimbour shepherd, who for many years had placed his hard-earned savings in the old Queensland Bank. The bank "went broke," and its one pound notes could not find buyers at five shillings. Everybody on the station felt sorry, for the poor old shepherd, until it was discovered that, alarmed at something he had learned from the press, the depositor had carefully carried those same savings over the road to the Government Savings Bank just a week before. Then everybody marvelled at the old fellow's sagacity. "In those days," concluded Mr Riethmuller, 'hardly anyone knew or used the name "Dalby." Everyone called the place Myall Creek. From Toowoomba to Dalby there was not a paddock. Houses were mainly of bark and they were scattered. Dalby was thriving – and lively!” |
1868 Cunningham Street Dalby, around the time of the arrival of the railway.
1857 Dalby survey plan. House in centre of plan (Drayton St) below "STREET" is F.W. Roche's residence. Plough Inn is lower left near intersection of Bunya and Myall Streets. Donald McLaran's allotment was in Bunya St near this intersection.
The Plough Inn, Myall Street.
1924 Dalby rates book extract. Note TW Long, Donald McLaran's neighbour in Cunningham Street and eventual owner of the McLaran cordial shop site. And of course, Ludwig Riethmuller, owner of numerous properties throughout Dalby.
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A slide show of photos and Dalby Herald news items about Ludwig Riethmuller's family.
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Around 1880 the Dalby Land Court granted selections for Ludwig Riethmuller, Donald McLaran, Malcolm McLaran but postponed an application for 640 acres by Florentina Hitz, Ludwig's wife.
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1927 The tragic death of Ludwig Riethmuller's daughter-in-law deeply affected St Thomas' congregation.
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1 Aug 1939 Dalby Herald
OBITUARY — Mr. L. Riethmuller
Mr. Ludwig Riethmuller, whose death occurred at his home in Patrick street, in the early hours of Friday morning, had been a resident of Australia for more than 80 years.
He was one of that band of pioneers who came to this country in the early day of its development. Although enfeebled, as was natural at his advanced age - 88 years - Mr. Riethmuller took a keen interest in all world affairs and local happenings, until near the last. Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, he came to Queensland with his parents when he was about six years of age, and the details of that six-months voyage in an old sailing vessel were forever green in his memory. On coming to Queensland, the family, consisting of six brothers and one sister, with their parents, settled on Wyaga station, and later on came to Toowoomba, where the father died at a comparatively early age.
Most of the family settled about Toowoomba, but Mr. Ludwig Riethmuller, on his marriage to Miss Louisa Hitz, took up land in the Bell district, then known as Maida Hill. Some 41 years ago he sold his property, and made his residence in Dalby, where he carried on business as a contractor, until his retirement about 26 years ago. During his residence in town Mr Riethmuller was a devout adherent to St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church, which he served in the capacity of an elder for many years. He was at one time member of Dalby Town Council, where his sound judgment and foresight made him of great value in the affairs of the town. He was also a prominent Freemason for many years, and had high honour conferred upon him by the craft. Mr. Riethmuller had taken a prominent part in the organisation and foundation of the Jandowae Masonic Lodge, of which he acted as secretary for some years, and was held in a most affectionate memory by members of that lodge. For a number of years he was secretary of Sir Joshua Peter Bell Lodge, Dalby, of which he was also a Past Master, and was also the first secretary of the Star of the West Royal Arch Chapter, Dalby. It was only in recent years that falling health precluded his regular attendance at Lodge meetings.
The late Mr Riethmuller was a man of the highest character and integrity, one who saw only the good in others, as all who knew him in his long life well know. His wisdom, generosity, and unfailing kindness and natural courtesy, will ever be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. With his passing goes one of that grand band of pioneers of whom few now remain.
All of his brothers, and his only sister predeceased Mr. Riethmuller, who is survived by his widow, three daughters, Misses S.I and M. Riethmuller (Dalby), and Mrs. C. Hanley (Brisbane), and two sons Messrs. A. Riethmuller (Dalby), and H. Riethmuller (Brisbane). Two daughters, Mrs. A. Deighton and Mrs. C. J. Roche, and one son, Mr. F. Riethmuller (Sydney), predeceased him*. The funeral, which took place from St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church to the Dalby cemetery on Saturday afterooon, was one of the largest seen in Dalby for some time. All sections of the community were represented, and representatives were present from Masonic Lodges in the district. The service at the church was conducted by Rev. James Blake, who also delivered a Masonic oration in the church. At the graveside the last rites were performed by Mr. Blake, who also read the Masonic service, and members of the Lodges passed the open, grave into which they dropped sprigs of acacia.
The pall-bearers were members of the Masonic lodges In Dalby, and were Messrs, J. Hensler, E. J. Campbell, J. Comport, J. Paterson, T. Fortescue, and. F. W, Higginbotham. On Sunday next a memorial service to Mr. Riethmuller will be conducted In St. Thomas’ Church at 11 a.m.
* 2 children have been omitted from this list: Albert 1879 - 79 and Sidney 1898 - 99.
OBITUARY — Mr. L. Riethmuller
Mr. Ludwig Riethmuller, whose death occurred at his home in Patrick street, in the early hours of Friday morning, had been a resident of Australia for more than 80 years.
He was one of that band of pioneers who came to this country in the early day of its development. Although enfeebled, as was natural at his advanced age - 88 years - Mr. Riethmuller took a keen interest in all world affairs and local happenings, until near the last. Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, he came to Queensland with his parents when he was about six years of age, and the details of that six-months voyage in an old sailing vessel were forever green in his memory. On coming to Queensland, the family, consisting of six brothers and one sister, with their parents, settled on Wyaga station, and later on came to Toowoomba, where the father died at a comparatively early age.
Most of the family settled about Toowoomba, but Mr. Ludwig Riethmuller, on his marriage to Miss Louisa Hitz, took up land in the Bell district, then known as Maida Hill. Some 41 years ago he sold his property, and made his residence in Dalby, where he carried on business as a contractor, until his retirement about 26 years ago. During his residence in town Mr Riethmuller was a devout adherent to St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church, which he served in the capacity of an elder for many years. He was at one time member of Dalby Town Council, where his sound judgment and foresight made him of great value in the affairs of the town. He was also a prominent Freemason for many years, and had high honour conferred upon him by the craft. Mr. Riethmuller had taken a prominent part in the organisation and foundation of the Jandowae Masonic Lodge, of which he acted as secretary for some years, and was held in a most affectionate memory by members of that lodge. For a number of years he was secretary of Sir Joshua Peter Bell Lodge, Dalby, of which he was also a Past Master, and was also the first secretary of the Star of the West Royal Arch Chapter, Dalby. It was only in recent years that falling health precluded his regular attendance at Lodge meetings.
The late Mr Riethmuller was a man of the highest character and integrity, one who saw only the good in others, as all who knew him in his long life well know. His wisdom, generosity, and unfailing kindness and natural courtesy, will ever be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. With his passing goes one of that grand band of pioneers of whom few now remain.
All of his brothers, and his only sister predeceased Mr. Riethmuller, who is survived by his widow, three daughters, Misses S.I and M. Riethmuller (Dalby), and Mrs. C. Hanley (Brisbane), and two sons Messrs. A. Riethmuller (Dalby), and H. Riethmuller (Brisbane). Two daughters, Mrs. A. Deighton and Mrs. C. J. Roche, and one son, Mr. F. Riethmuller (Sydney), predeceased him*. The funeral, which took place from St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church to the Dalby cemetery on Saturday afterooon, was one of the largest seen in Dalby for some time. All sections of the community were represented, and representatives were present from Masonic Lodges in the district. The service at the church was conducted by Rev. James Blake, who also delivered a Masonic oration in the church. At the graveside the last rites were performed by Mr. Blake, who also read the Masonic service, and members of the Lodges passed the open, grave into which they dropped sprigs of acacia.
The pall-bearers were members of the Masonic lodges In Dalby, and were Messrs, J. Hensler, E. J. Campbell, J. Comport, J. Paterson, T. Fortescue, and. F. W, Higginbotham. On Sunday next a memorial service to Mr. Riethmuller will be conducted In St. Thomas’ Church at 11 a.m.
* 2 children have been omitted from this list: Albert 1879 - 79 and Sidney 1898 - 99.