Australian Pioneers

ROBERT MILLHOUSE (1852 - 1924)

AN EARLY PIONEER

The death of Mr. Robert Millhouse,

which occurred at his residence,

Commercial-Street West, Mount Gambier,

on Friday last,has removed another of

Mount Gambier's pioneers. Born at

Little Hampton near Mount Barker, in

1852, he came overland to Mount Gambier

with his parents when eleven years of

age. On leaving school he was

apprenticed to the late Mr.Charles Clark,

where he learned the trade of a blacksmith,and when Mr. Clark
retired he joined the late Mr. J.Cock, and they carried on the
business for a number of years as Cock and Millhouse.

The partnership was dissolved later on, and Mr. Millhouse opened
a blacksmithing business on his own account in a shop adjoining
his residence, and there he worked at his trade until failing
health forced him to retire from active work. In 1874 he married
Miss Emma Jane Pitman, who survives him. He was a lover of all
kinds of sport, and took a keen interest in cricket and football.
For many years he was chairman of the Mount Gambier Football
Association and was probably one of the best local cricketers of
his day.

He was connected with the Methodist Church, and for a number of
years was superintendant of the Primitive Methodist Sunday-
school. Among many other similar connections, he was a member of
the Chess Club, this pursuit being one of his favourite pastimes.
Probably the most outstanding feature of his life-time was his
career as a rechabite, being a member of this body for sixty
years. In 1864 when 12 years of age, he joined theJuvenile Tent,
and four years later became a member of the adult Tent. He was
appointed a trustee in 1881, and 1897 became chairman of
trustees, holding this position until the time of his death, a
period of 26 years. On several occasions he acted as Chief acted
as Chief Ruler, being presented with all the various badges etc.,
belonging to his office. The deceased leaves a family of six
daughters and three sons. The funeral was was held on Saturday
afternoon. The Rev.S.Forsythe conducted the service

at the graveside, and Mr. A.J. McCallum carried out the funeral
arrangements.

JOHN RHODES MILLHOUSE (1857 - 1928)

Another of the fast diminishing pioneers of the town has passed
over to great majority in the person of Mr. John Rhodes
Millhouse, whose death took place on Monday 16th April 1928. He
was a resident for seventy one years leading a particularly
active life until his illness. He was a well known identity
buttook little part in public life. He adopted the occupation as
a Butcher and for many years was employed by Mr.John Hayes.
Some twenty years hence he opened a Butchers Shop in Commercial
Street West, near Vansit Art Park, continuing the business till
his death.

Almost forty eight years ago he married Miss Annie Balye of
Millicent. He came from an athletic family, and took part in many
of the sporting branches. He followed the Mount Hounds for a
number of years on a chestnut horse owned by Mr.John Shannon,
proving himself a capable rider. He left a family of four
daughters and three sons, Mesdames Charles Smith, D.Gibson, P.
Sutton and D.Eaden ....Messrs., E.J.., C.R., A.C. Millhouse.

WILLIAM HENRY MILLHOUSE (1849 - 1932)

Pioneer Resident Passes

Eventful life of Mr. W.H. Millhouse

72 YEARS AT MOUNT GAMBIER

One of the towns oldest and best known pioneers in the person of
Mr. William Henry Millhouse, died at Warrnabool yesterday, in his
83rd year.

Coming to Mount Gambier in 1860, he had spent 72 years of an
eventful life in this town, and genuine regret is felt at the
passing of so fine a citizen.

Several months ago he went to stay with his daughter, Mrs. Shade,
at Warrnabool, and his death, which occurred at the Warrnabool
Hospital, was not unexpected.

BORN AT SEA

Mr. Millhouse was born aboard the Florentia, off the Cape of Good
Hope, on June 1st 1849. His parents, natives of Lincolnshire
(Eng.) were voyaging to Australia. Eventually they disembarked
at Port Adelaide, and went to live at Blakiston, where deceased
started school. After a short time they removed to Mount
Pleasant, where the boy finished his education at what today
would be regarded as the ridiculously early age of seven years.
Straight away he went to his first job, driving bullocks in a
plough, for which he was paid 2/6d a week and keep. For two years
he worked with his father on the gold diggings at Germanton.
Then he went to Little Hampton, near Mount Barker.

ARRIVAL AT MOUNT GAMBIER

In 1860 he came to Mount Gambier with his parents. The journey
was made by bullock waggon. They were accompanied on the trip by
Mr.Ruben Underwood.

Mr.and Mrs.Millhouse and their young family first lived in a tent
at Rosaville, or Cockatoo Valley, as it was called then. Mr.
Millhouse owned a bullock team, and deceased used them in his
occupation of Carter. For a considerable time he was engaged
carting sand, stone and wood. At that time there were not more
than twenty houses in what is Commercial Street to-day.

CARPENTER BY TRADE

Later he was apprenticed to the carpentry trade under
Mr.JamesWhealey. Leaving the employ of Mr. Wheatley, he followed
his trade with Messrs. Binks and Newbury after which he was
employed for six months as an improver at Emerald Hill (now South
Melbourne), Returning to Mount Gambier, he found a post with
Messrs. Nicholas and Mullins. He worked with them on the
construction of St.Andrews Presbyterian Church. He also helped in
the erection of the portion of the Mount Gambier Hotel the 70's.
He worked on the Town Hall, the Institute, Williams' Mill, Macs
Hotel, and several other local buildings.

For a few years after he came here there was not a building
between Dr.Wehls' corner and the present National Bank site,
and deceased could remember the land between these two points
being under oats.

Possessed of a splendid memory, Mr Millhouse was able to recall
much of Mount Gambier early history. He had a clear recollection
of the appointment of the late Mr. John Watson as first Mayor of
Mount Gambier: also the term of office of the first Town Clerk
Mr.Wedd Watson.

WRECK OF THE EURO

His life was by no means devoid of adventure. He was voyaging
from Adelaide to Port MacDonnell abroad the Euro, a coastal
vessel, when she was wrecked off Carpenter's Rocks. A Miss Gould,
of Mount Gambier, lost her life on that occasion. He helped to
get the wrecked passengers ashore in boats. Miss D. Paltridge,
who lives in Elizabeth Street North, was one of them. Later he
was at carpenter's Rocks when the 'Geltwood' and the 'Flying
Cloud' were wrecked. That was about 1869

KEEN CRICKETER

Mr. Millhouse took particularly keen interest in cricket right up
to the time of his death, and was a well known player and athlete
in his earlier days. Of recent years he had done much to foster
cricket here and many players treasure trophies made and
presented by Mr. Millhouse who was a popular figure at local
matches and cricketers' social functions. He first played cricket
71 years ago, as a member of the Temperance Club. A stretch of
rough paddock had to serve as a pitch and the batsman who made
more than 12 or 15 runs were considered marvels. Deceased had at
times seen the world's leading cricketers at play and liked to
recall the names of W.G. Grace and his brother, G.F. Grace. H.
Jupp, Alf Shaw, Abel Arthur Shrewsberry and Oscroft. In later
years he had watched the play of Hobbs, Trumper, Blakcham,
Gregory, Armstong and others. It is 33 years since Mr.Millhouse
played his last game of cricket.

Not long before the war Mr. Millhouse and one of his daughters
spent a holiday in New Guinea. They made the voyage on the
Matunga, which was captured by the German raider Woolf soon after
the outbreak of the war. The old gentleman had worked and
holidayed in all parts of Australia, but considered that there
was no place as good as Mount Gambier.

He had been a member of the L.O.R. for 70 years, and had held
every office excepting that of secretary. He was one of the
trustees at the time of his death.

WOOD CARVING AS HOBBY

An inveterate reader, he spent much of his time with his books.
Another favourite hobby was wood-carving, and his collection
included all kinds of articles made from Australian woods. It was
said of him that he could make anything in wood from a piano case
to a fowl house door.

Mr.Millhouse was married in 1874 at the Church of England, Mount
Gambier, by the Rev. Hoeter to Miss E.Butler of Allandale, and
they had a family of five sons and three daughters. Rupert was
killed in action. Albert is living in Mount Gambier. Sydney and
Hugh in Port Lincoln, and Ivo in Merbei (Vic). The daughters are
Mrs. Jas. Shade (Warrnaboool) Miss D.Milhouse (Matron of the
Home for Incurables, Adelaide) and Mrs.H.H. Orchard, Mount
Gambier. Mr. Millhouse had been a widower since 1911. One of a
family of 14, he was the sole surviving son. The remains were
interred at the Mount Gambier cemetery late this afternoon.
Mr.W. Pearce having charge of the arrangements.

ROBERT MILLHOUSE (1852-1924) and EMMA JANE PITMAN b.1856

They had the following family -

Marmaduke Edgar Emmanuel Millhouse -carpenter,married/4 children

Harold Preston Millhouse (1876-1939)- married/three children

Florence Ethel Anne Millhouse (1878 - )- married /seven children

Ada Winifred Millhouse - married and had two children

Katie Millhouse - married and had two children

Edith Millhouse - married - no children

Ivy Ella Millhouse - married and had two children

ARTHUR PITMAN MILLHOUSE (1894 - 1963) click icon for family >>

Grace Hilda Millhouse - married - no children