Labour Australia

On Thursday last, at 10.55 pm, there passed away, at the ripe old age of 80 years and nine months, one of our most esteemed and worthiest townsmen, in the person of Mr Alfred Emery. The cause of death is attributed to senile decay, but for the six weeks previous to his death he experienced excruciating pain in his right leg, for which he had been carefully attended by Drs Mason and Browne. Every attention was paid him by his fond wife and devoted family of eleven, one daughter coming from West Australia, one from Lockhart, one from Jindera, one from Moree, and one from Gundagai; and in the presence of all, loved and tended, he said his last goodbye to his cherished ones; and crossed, without a murmur, the silent river that divides us from eternity. He was born in Essex, England in 1830, and learned there the trade of brickmaking. In 1852, he came to Sydney, where he, for about 10 years, followed his calling. Shortly after the separation of Queensland from New South Wales he went to Brisbane, and for some time lived in that city, in Ipswich, and in several other localities. During his residence in Queensland he was one of the first founders of an Oddfellows’ Lodge there, and he remained (in consequence) a member of it till his death. In 1866 he returned to Sydney, and stayed in the capital until 1878, when he settled in Tumut and established brickyards of which he was proprietor at his death. This was an important industry, extending its operations over the Gundagai, Tumut and Adelong districts, and gave employment to a large number. Strange though it may appear, the first bricks he made in Tumut were in Dr Mason’s yard. He was a patient, hard working, constant toiler, and could be seen some years ago back at 4 o’clock a.m. tempering clay near the present show ground. His perseverance, undaunted energy, straightforwardness and truthfulness, stood him in good stead, and he amassed some nice little properties in and around Tumut. He has for years been a member of the Tumut and also Gundagai Pastoral and Agricultural Associations, and during his long stay here was ever willing to assist in the advancement of the same. Since 1870 he had a member of the Sons of Temperance, and held the position of Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Grand Division. When the municipal representation was increased from six to nine, Mr Emery became a successful candidate, at a time when competition was rife, and secured the seat that he occupied with satisfaction to himself and with good results to the municipality for a period of nine years, his colleague, at the time, being another good old pioneer and practical man in the person of Mr Thos. Lindbeck (who like his confrere, is on the four score line). Our departed one was a man of few words, but was practical and resolute in his actions, and felt compelled to leave the Council (whereby the ratepayers wish he was always welcome) by reason of deafness, which troubled him. The Tumut Turf Club will miss his ever wiling ministrations; for years his burly presence at the gates at race time was a menace to admission without pay, and he has left a monument to his memory in the avenue of trees from the entrance gate to the grandstand planted by himself and the late Mr James Carr. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Unity, 1510. E.C., and previous to his death expressed the wish for a Masonic Funeral which was granted him. He was always a consistent member of the Orange Lodge. Viewed all round, our departed was one of those we can ill afford to lose; his honesty, integrity and uprightness was everywhere admired and respected, and in saying good-bye to an old friend whose (though his “Life’s dream is o’er,” his dear ones, and the public, have it to say of him) main ambition was to leave the world better than he found it, and during his stay here he materially helped to that conclusion. He was twice married, the result of the first union being one daughter, Mrs C. Foster (Gundagai) and 2 sons who predeceased him. By his last wife he had five daughters — Mrs Kirkby (Western Australia), Mrs T. Jones (Moree) Mrs. H. Lindbeck (Lockhart) Mrs Palmer (Jindera) and Fanny (Tumut) and five sons — Albert, George, Charles, Alfred and William (three sons predeceased him). He leaves also 47 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. All, with his heartbroken wife, mourn the loss of a fond husband, an exemplary and affectionate father and a good old grandfather and great grandfather. The funeral took place on Saturday last the remains being interred in the Church of England portion of the cemetery. Mr James Elphick was the undertaker, he was buried with Masonic honors, Revs. W. D. Kennedy and R. E. Davies, and Worshipful Master A. Blakeney officiating at the grave. The service was a most impressive one, and Rev. Davies address was much appreciated by those present. We tender the bereaved ones our deepest sympathy.