Mark Telfer
Biography
Born: 12 Apr 1877, Up and Down Rocks SA | Died: 23 Jul 1946, Adelaide SA | Mother: Martha Henstridge (~1854–1921) | Father: John Telfer (1840–1913) | Spouse: Julia Matilda Seebohm (1876–1939) (m. 9 Jul 1902)
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Self | Mark Telfer |
| Father | John Telfer (1840–1913) |
| Mother | Martha Clara Henstridge |
| Spouse | Julia Matilda Seebohm (1876–1939) (m. 9 Jul 1902) |
| Siblings | See John Telfer (1840–1913) — full sibling list on father's page |
| Children | Floris Ethel Victoria Telfer (1904–1951) |
| Kenneth Alexander Telfer (1904–?) | |
| Gilbert Melville Telfer (1911–1978) | |
| Jean Maryann Martha Telfer (1910–1984) | |
| Joyce Elizabeth Telfer (1912–2012) | |
| Maifie Beryl Telfer (1913–1948) | |
| Lindsay Roland Telfer (1920–1976) |
Life Summary
Mark Telfer was born on 12 April 1877 at Up and Down Rocks, South Australia, the first biological child of John Telfer (1840–1913) and his second wife Martha Clara Henstridge. He was the eldest of eleven children from the second marriage.
He married Julia Matilda Seebohm on 9 July 1902. Together they had seven children: Floris Ethel Victoria (1904–1951), Kenneth William John (1904–?), Gilbert Melville known as Mel (1911–1978), Jean Maryann Martha (1910–1984), Joyce Elizabeth (1912–2012), Maifie Beryl (1913–1948), and Lindsay Roland (1920–1976).
The book From the Borders to the Bush confirms all seven, listing them as: Floris, Ken, Mel, Jean, Joyce, Maifie and Lindsay.
Mark died on 23 July 1946 in Adelaide, South Australia, at age 69. His death location (Adelaide, not Tantanoola) suggests he may have moved from the family's Tantanoola home base later in life.
Family Stories
Mark Telfer was John Telfer's sixth child — the first born to his second wife, Martha Clara Henstridge. He married Julia Matilda Seebohm (known as Tillie) in the Tantanoola Public Hall on 9 July 1902, with the Rev. James Davies officiating. Both Mark and Tillie were active in Sunday School teaching at the Tantanoola Presbyterian Church, and the congregation presented them with a large family Bible on their Silver Wedding anniversary.
Mark took over his father's farm, "Brackenridge", when John retired, growing crops and running sheep and cattle. He lived there until about 1940, then purchased a house in Millicent and retired with two of his daughters, Jean and Maifie. Mark was a fine sportsman — he played football and cricket, served as Timekeeper for the football club when his sons took the field, and was a capable batsman and slow bowler who won a medal for the highest batting average in the Tantanoola Cricket Club. He and Tillie raised seven children: Floris, Ken, Mel, Jean, Joyce, Maifie and Lindsay.
(From the Borders to the Bush, pp.240–241)
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 Apr 1877 | Born at Up and Down Rocks, SA |
| 9 Jul 1902 | Married Julia Matilda Seebohm |
| 1904 | Daughter Floris Ethel Victoria born |
| 1904 | Son Kenneth William John born |
| 1910 | Daughter Jean Maryann Martha born |
| 1911 | Son Gilbert Melville (Mel) born |
| 1912 | Daughter Joyce Elizabeth born |
| 1913 | Daughter Maifie Beryl born |
| 5 Jan 1913 | Father John Telfer died |
| 13 Nov 1921 | Mother Martha Clara Henstridge died |
| 1920 | Son Lindsay Roland born |
| 23 Jul 1946 | Died in Adelaide, SA |