William Webster

Background

William Webster was born on 30 August 1829 at Ossett, Dewsbury, Yorkshire. His parents were John Webster and Hannah Rowley. William had two brothers, Miles and Herbert, in Melbourne, Australia, but they both died at a young age.

He married Ellen Watkin on 20 February 1853 in London. By 1854 he was in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

Post 1854 Experiences

After William Webster's first wife died, he married housekeeper Maria Lampe and for many years they lived at Ulletloyne, 64 Barkly St, Ballarat East.

Obituary

One of the oldest identities of Ballarat, in the person of Mr William Webster died yesterday at his residence Ulletloyne, Barkly Street, after a lengthy illness. The deceased gentleman, who was perhaps best known in his relation to friendly societies, was born in Yorkshire in 1829, being thus 78 years of age at the time of his death.

As a boy he was apprenticed to the engraving trade, but, like so many others, he emigrated to Australia in 1852. He proceeded direct to Egerton, and after engaging in mining there, came on to Ballarat in 1854, and he worked in the diggings at Bakery Hill and other places. He returned to Egerton for a while, and in 1856 settled. in Ballarat. He endeavoured to secure work at his trade, but failing in this he went back to the diggings, and worked both in the shallow and deep alluvial mining. When in England he had taken a keen interest in the friendly societies movement, and out here he fostered the spirit of friendly society work so successfully that he founded the Ballarat Lodge of MUIOOF being initiated on the 29 September 1857, and was appointed its secretary, a position he held for 44 years. He was also corresponding secretary for the district for many years, and was an expert accountant, and well versed. in society law. He was also learned in municipal procedure, and chiefly on this account was appointed a municipal and Government auditor, and for many years acted in thos capacities in various parts of the State. The late Mr Webster took a keen interest in politics, and in the regimes of the Berry and McCullough Governments he, with the late Messers Jabez Richards, Daniel Brophy, John James, John Ferguson and other old residents of Ballarat East, were prominent in many of the big political fights of the earlier days, and was a keen debater at political meetings. Mr Webster was one of the founders of the Ballarat Lodge of Free Masons, and with his colleagues was associated in the forming of several lodges in the district. He was regarded as a model secretary of friendly society lodges.

With the late Mr J a Chalk he aced as auditor for the water commission. He was greatly interested in charitable institutions and was the first secretary of the Orphan Asylum, and also at various times held the offices of auditor of the Benevolent Asylum, Orphanage, and Hospital. He was a member of the dispensary committee, and of the Old Colonists' Association. In his connection with the friendly societies he was recognised as an authority, and was consulted by sister lodge secretaries all over the State.

The deceased gentleman was twice married, and leaves a widow and family. One of the latter is fred Webster, inspector of the friendly societies; another in the banking profession; and another is in the Electric Supply Company's Office. One of the daughters is Mrs George Antcliffe of Ballaraty Trustees and executors Company.

The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3.30 o'clock.

Further Reading

Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.

External links

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Caption, Reference.