John Telfer (1847–1929)

Role: Mark's great-great-grandfather — son of the Scottish immigrant
Born: 28 May 1847 — Adelaide, South Australia
Died: 23 August 1929 (aged 82) — Clare, South Australia
Buried: Clare Cemetery, Clare, South Australia
Occupation: Farmer — 47 years at Willow Plains
Residence: Willow Plains (near Clare), South Australia
Grandson: Murray John Telfer (1924–2009)
Great-grandson: Timothy Neil Telfer (1959–?)
Great-great-grandson: Mark Telfer (1877–1946)

Family

| Relation | Name |
|----------|------|
| Mother | Margaret Wright Telfer (?–1892) |
| Father | Francis Telfer (1809–1895) |
| Spouse | Caroline Amelia Telfer (1842–1929) (née Masters, m. 22 Sep 1874) |
| Children | Francis Charles Telfer (1875–1954), Ernest John Telfer, William James Telfer, Albert George Telfer, Walter William Telfer, Edwin Gilbert Telfer |
| Siblings | George Wright Telfer, Margaret Dougal Telfer |
| Half-siblings | James Telfer, Esther Smith, Elizabeth Farrow, Jane Telfer |

Life Story

John Telfer was born in Adelaide, South Australia on 28 May 1847 — the eldest surviving son of Scottish immigrant Francis Telfer and his third wife Margaret Wright. He grew up on the family farm at Chain of Ponds and Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills.

On 22 September 1874, he married Caroline Amelia Masters at the Baptist Chapel, Tarlee. The marriage was announced in the South Australian Register. Caroline had immigrated from England as a young child with her family aboard the Templar in 1845.

John and Caroline settled at Willow Plains, near Clare, where they farmed for 47 years. They raised six sons:

John was described as a prominent Clare resident and was actively associated with every community move in the Willow Plains district. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church, serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school for about 30 years (per both Advertiser and Chronicle obituaries).

The Double Bereavement — 1929

In a remarkable and tragic turn, John and Caroline died within hours of each other in August 1929. John passed away on 23 August 1929 at age 82, and Caroline followed him the next day, 24 August 1929. The Register News-Pictorial ran a photo with the headline:

> "THE LATE MRS. JOHN TELFER, of Clare, who died within a few hours of her husband. Both were prominent Clare residents."

They were buried together at Clare Cemetery.

As the Advertiser obituary noted:
> "He was a resident of Willow Plains for 47 years. He was actively associated with every movement inaugurated for the wellbeing of the district, and was a prominent member of the Methodist Church and Sunday-school. Mr. Telfer held the position of superintendent of the Sunday-school for about 30 years."

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 28 May 1847 | Born — Adelaide, SA |
| ~1850s–60s | Grew up at Chain of Ponds / Kersbrook |
| 22 Sep 1874 | Married Caroline Amelia Masters at Baptist Chapel, Tarlee |
| 25 Nov 1875 | Son Francis Charles Telfer (1875–1954) born at Kersbrook |
| 1878–1887 | Five more sons born (Hawker, Arkaba) |
| ~1882–1929 | Farmed at Willow Plains, Clare (47 years) |
| 23 Aug 1929 | Died at Clare, SA (aged 82) |
| 24 Aug 1929 | Wife Caroline died within hours of John |
| 25 Aug 1929 | Buried at Clare Cemetery |

Photos

Find a Grave memorial: John Telfer (1847–1929) — Clare Cemetery. Headstone photo not yet obtained.

Sources

• Geni profile: John Telfer (1847–1929) — confirms birth, death, parents, children, spouse, obituary references


• WikiTree: Francis Telfer (abt.1809–1895) — confirms John as son of Francis


• Trove: MR. J. TELFER — The Chronicle, 29 Aug 1929, p.32 — "died at Clare on Sunday at the age of 82, was a resident of Willow Plains for 47 years... actively associated with every movement... prominent member of the Methodist Church and Sunday-school... superintendent of Sunday-school for about 30 years"


• Trove: MR. J. TELFER — The Advertiser, 24 Aug 1929, p.16 — "died at Clare yesterday... resident of Willow Plains for 47 years... prominent member of the Methodist Church... superintendent of Sunday-school for about 30 years"


• Trove: Early History of the Cemeteries of Clare — Northern Argus, 19 May 1939 — lists John Telfer & Caroline A. Telfer under 1929 burials at Clare Cemetery — definitive confirmation


• Find a Grave: John Telfer (1847–1929) — buried Clare Cemetery


• Register News-Pictorial (Adelaide, SA) — 4 Sep 1929 (photo of Mrs. John Telfer)


• BillionGraves: John Telfer burial — Clare Cemetery


• Clare headstone list: ozburials.com — John & Caroline Telfer burial records at Clare Cemetery

Links

• Caroline Amelia Telfer (1842–1929)


• Francis Charles Telfer (1875–1954)


• Francis Telfer (1809–1895)


• Margaret Wright Telfer (?–1892)


• Murray John Telfer (1924–2009)


• Family Tree