Hannibal Orchard ROWE

   Research Notes:

Residing with his parents in Killivoase, Camborne, at the time of his baptism.

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"ROWE.— On the 13th August, at Rosebank, North Castlemaine, Hannibal Orchard, the dearly beloved husband of Mary Rowe, aged 65 years."

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"Sudden Death Of Mr. H. O. Rowe.

AN OLD AND ESTEEMED PIONEER

Another link in the chain binding tile past with the present was sundered on Saturday by the sudden death of Mr Hannibal Orchard Rowe at his residence, "Rosebank," North Castlemaine. The deceased was apparently in good health when last seen by his family prior to his going into the extensive orchard which he was accustomed to inspect daily. He went into the garden at about noon on Saturday, and no notice was taken of his lengthened absence, as on several occasions he has been engaged in conversation with friends, who would call and see him on mining and other matters. Shortly after two o'clock, however, his son went to see where his father was, and, on entering the fruit house, was amazed to find him there in a kneeling posture, the body being apparently, lifeless. Mr Rowe, junr., immediately communicated his discovery to the other members of the family, and also procured medical assistance. Dr Maxwell speedily arrived, but could only pronounce life extinct. For some time, Mr Rowe had suffered from asthma, but of late he has not been very much troubled with that complaint, and enjoyed very fair health. On Wednesday last he was the Mining Board's delegate with the deputation to the Premier relative to the request for a second reservoir to be constructed at Malmsbury, and on that occasion, as also since then, his health was such as not to excite the least apprehension that his end was so near. On Saturday morning he was about as usual, and the announcement of his death came as a great surprise, and was also heard of with deep regret throughout the borough.

The deceased was. 65 years of age, and leaves a widow and grown-up family. He was a sterling and upright resident—conscientious to a degree;— what he said he meant, and he was never afraid to express his opinion whether in private or in public. He was a native of Cornwall, and came to Castlemaine (or Forest Creek as the district was called in the early days) when the diggings were opened, and engaged in mining pursuits. For some time deceased conducted a large ironmongery business in the Square, and since relinquishing it, he has lived in retirement, at North Castlemaine. He was a member of the Castlemaine Borough Council for many years, and the proud position he occupied on the poll betokened the great esteem in which he was held by the burgesses. He filled the office of Mayor on two occasions, and discharged the duties very capably. Yesterday the corporation flag was at half-mast as a mark of respect to his memory. On one occasion, the late Mr Rowe was a candidate for the representation of the Castlemaine electorate in the Legislative Assembly, but was unsuccessful. He was a very old member of the Castlemaine Mining Board — in fact, the father of it — having been connected with that body since its foundation, prior to which he held a seat on the old Road Board. He was one of the representatives for the Fryers Creek Division in the Mining Board, up to the time of his death, and had always proved himself a dutiful and efficient member. When filling the office of Chairman, he carried out the duties very satisfactorily, and his thorough acquaintance with the local mining district (whether in regard to quartz or alluvial) was always useful to the Board, when dealing with different applications, &c. He was a most practical miner, and his opinion was frequently sought in relation to the reefs and alluvial workings of the district. Deceased was a brother of Mr E. W. H. Rowe and the late Mr J. Rowe. The mine of the Rowe Brothers, at Fryerstown, was more noted than any other in the district for its regular productiveness, extending over many years, and at one time a very high price was offered for it at the period of a mining boom. The proprietors wanted £100,000 for it, and it was understood that £75,000 could have been obtained, but the negotiations fell through. Golden specimens from it, of extraordinary richness, were conspicuous objects for admiration at exhibitions. By no class will his death be more deeply regretted than by the members of the Mining Board. Deceased was also a member of tho Hospital Committee for many years. His public career was as unsullied as his private life, and his firm and candid outspokeness — for his word was his bond — gained the respect of all who knew him.

It is supposed that death was due to heart disease, but the cause will be ascertained this morning, when a post mortem examination is to be made by Dr Denton-Fethers. An inquiry will be held at 10 o'clock. Tho funeral will leave the deceased's late residence at 3 o'clock this aftornoon for the cemetery at Campbell's Creek." ⁵

   Marriage Information:

Hannibal married Mary TEMBY, daughter of Nicholas TEMBY and Elizabeth PERRY, in 1865 in Victoria, Australia ¹. (Mary TEMBY was born about 1844 in Camborne, Cornwall, died on 2 Sep 1918 in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia ^{6 7} and was buried on 4 Sep 1918 in Castlemaine Cemetery, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia ⁷.)