Conrad Erb

Conrad Erb was one of thirty-five German on the wharf at Ipswich in 1861, who had been left by the Government interpreter unaware of 'their destination'. Most of them had been 'indented through Goddefroy and Son from Hamburg and the north of Germany, to serve 2 years in this colony as shepherds and general useful servants, at the rate of 20 pounds per annum and rations'. They were required to repay their employers for the passage money to Australia (eighteen pounds), which was to be deducted from their wages, at the end of each year of service.

After landing in Brisbane, the immigrants were transferred to Ipswich by a steamer and the next day were to be taken to the country by drays. Louis Wittgenstein spoke with the immigrants and advised them about the land order system and informed them that they should stay in Ipswich until they received land orders which they had to apply for within fourteen days of their arrival.

The Queenslander reported on an 'uncommon case' in the Small Debts Court on 15 September 1870 where Conrad Erbe sued William McIntyre for thirty pounds for 'injuries sustained through the alleged negligence of defendant, who in unskilfully shooting at a cow, allowed it to escape from the yard in which it was confined, and inflict bodily injuries upon him'.

Mr. Wise acted as interpreter as Conrad was German. The article informed readers that Conrad was working amongst his cotton at Brassall when he saw cattle being driven into the stockyard. While opening the slip yard fence, Conrad was injured and could not work for six weeks. He was claiming compensation for loss of time, medical attendance and cotton that was destroyed as it was not picked before wet weather arrived. The court determined that the accident occurred through Conrad's own negligence.

Conrad Erb was enrolled to vote in the Electoral District of Bremer from 1874 to 1875 and he owned freehold land near a railway line. From 1876  to 1879 he is enrolled in the electoral district of Bremer at Brassall. The Queensland Intestacies, Insolvencies and Wills database has an entry for and Intestacy for Conrad Erb who resided at Brassall in Queensland. It was dated, 27 September 1884.

Conrad died in 1884 at the age of 53 and was buried in the Ipswich General Cemetery in Lutheran C. His wife Alvina died on 2 November 1932 at the age of 89. She was buried at the Ipswich General Cemetery on 3rd November 1932 in Methodist B/43.

Probate details appeared in The Queenslander on 8 November 1884:

Letters of administration were taken out in the estate of Conrad Erb, labourer, Brassall, personalty 40 pounds, realty 30 pounds, to E. L. Erb, or Alvina Bertha Erb, Brassall, widow.

Conrad's wife, Alvina Bertha who was known as Bertha was enrolled in the subdivision of Bundanba in the Division of Moreton in 1913. She was residing in Brassall and her occupation was noted as that of Home Duties. Alvina (Alwina) Bertha Erb applied for a certificate of naturalization in 1909. It stated that she arrived in Australia from Germany on 7 November 1870 aboard the Humboldt and that she disembarked in Brisbane. Since her arrival in Australia she had resided in Ipswich the whole time. She had five children, two daughters and 3 sons, one at Brisbane and the others at Ipswich. She signed the certificate with her mark x.

It should be noted that Conrad and Alvina had seven children, but Catharine Alda who was born in 1874, died in 1875; and Catherine Bertha was born and died in 1878.

The Queensland Intestacies, Insolvencies and Wills database has an entry for and Intestacy dated 27 September for Alvina Bertha Erb, widow, who resided at Brassall in Queensland. Bertha died on 2 November 1932 at the age of 89 and was buried in the Old Wesleyan section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 3 November 1932.

Children of Conrad and Bertha
Caroline
Born in 28 October 1871.

Johann (John) Conrad
Born on 16 September 1873. A John Erb was enrolled on the 1903 Electoral Roll in the subdivision of Bundanba in the division of Moreton. He was living at Brassall and was a labourer by trade. John died on 7 July 1955 at the age of 80 and was buried in the Methodist B section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 8 July 1955.

Catharine Alda (Olda) Erb
Born on 12 November 1874 and died on 7 February 1875. She was buried in the German Lutheran section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 8 February 1875.

Charles George Erb
Born on 20 March 1878. He married Ellen Power on 6 November 1901. The 1903 Electoral Roll states that Charles was a miner by occupation and that he lived in the Workshops Estate at North Ipswich. On the 1913 Electoral Roll he was enrolled to vote in the subdivision of Bundanba in the division of Moreton and was living in Hill Street, North Ipswich in the Liverpool Estate. At that time he was employed as a boiler maker's assistant. He died on 17 April 1951 and was buried in the Roman Catholic A section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 18 April 1951.

Ellen Erb was enrolled in 1903, also living in the Workshops Estate and similarly on the 1913 Electoral Roll she was residing in Hill Street in the Liverpool Estate. Her occupation was that of 'home duties'. Ellen die don 7 October 1952 and was buried in the Roman Catholic A section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 8 October 1952. The applicant was Charles Erb.

Charles and Ellen had two children: Catherine Bertha in 1884 and William Joseph Elliott in 1916.

Mary Ellen Erb
Was born on 24 April 1884. She married George Alexander Cuffe on 4 June 1912 and they had four boys. Norman Alexander was born on 23 December 1912, George Conrad on 24 August 1914, and the twins Maurice John and Colin William were born on 8 December 1916. Mary Ellen Cuffe died on 30 December 1916 just 22 days after the birth of her twin boys. She was buried on 31 December 1916 in the Ipswich General Cemetery.

Catherine Bertha Erb
Born on 20 March 1878, died 20 October 1878.

Wilhelm (William) Erb
Born on 28 August 1880. On the 1903 and 1913 Electoral Rolls he was enrolled in the subdivision of Bundanba in the division of Moreton. He was residing at Brassall and his occupation was 'labourer'. William died on 13 March 1954 at the age of 73. He was buried in the Methodist B section of the Ipswich General Cemetery on 15 March 1954.