Francis Heinrich Vogler 1847 - 1903
Queensland Immigrant
Francis Henry (Heinrich) Vogler was born in Hohenhaslach, Germany on 28 April 1847.
The eighteen year old son of Joseph Vogler and Regina Harst set out in search of a new life in Australia when he sailed from Hamburg for Queensland on 7 December 1863 aboard the barque Johann Cesar.
Henry took advantage of a Queensland sponsored migration scheme that saw over 17,000 German speaking immigrants settle in Queensland between 1860 and 1870.
The incentive of free ship's passage, good wages, and the right to select land to the value of £12 was hard to resist for a young man desperate to escape the poverty of his home in Hohenhaslach.
On Monday 25 April 1864, five months after leaving Germany, Henry finally made landfall in Moreton Bay along with 230 of his fellow countrymen.
As part of the immigration agreement he was required to work for two years for an employer he didn't know and take on an unfamiliar job in harsh working conditions that were a far cry from his original occupation of vineyard labourer.
Putting Down Roots
In 1866, having fulfilled his employment obligations Henry married widow Mary Elizabeth Jacoby nee Lillis at Gayndah on 8 December.
Mary Jacoby had lost her first husband Louis when the former police
constable drowned in Barambah Creek near Gayndah. It is believed, however,
that Louis Jacoby deserted his wife and family and his "death" brought
respectability to Henry and Mary's relationship.
The Lillis - Jacoby marriage produced five children while Henry and Mary's union produced another nine children over the next fifteen years.
Two Year Contract
Henry Vogler was recruited by Queensland Emigration
Agent Johann Christian Heussler
sent by the State Government to Germany to sign on workers for two years compulsory work for
a local employer.
German Immigrants were generally well accepted as "useful colonists"
with a love for enterprise and adventure. Not only were they industrious
and hard working but also law abiding colonists.
Photo: Regina Robson
Helping Hand
The paths of Henry Vogler and James McNamara Senior tragically crossed in Gayndah in August 1872 when Henry read the Service of the Church of Rome at the graveside of James' eldest son Francis John after the five year old had died from jaundice at nearby Mondure station.
It is likely that both families knew each other living and working in the Gayndah district for many years. It is not know if Henry was working at Mondure at that time.
Tragic End
Henry died on 18 April 1903 after falling 200 feet down
the Kennedy mine shaft
owned by the Queensland Copper Company, Mount Perry, Queensland. He was 58 years old.
His widow
launched a civil action against the company suing them for £1,000
damages for the loss of her husband. The jury found for the plaintiff
awarding her a mere £450.
A Brisbane monthly newspaper the "Worker" published an article, 2 May 1903 describing genial od Henry Vogler as, "Another Labour Martyr", claiming that mine had unsafe working conditions.
The article went on, "...perhaps the company will now
make little provision to ensure the safety of employees. No doubt an
Inspector from the Mines Department will come along and a verdict of
"accidental death" will be the sympathy extended to the friends of the
deceased".
Henry Vogler is buried in Mount Perry Cemetery.
Compiled from Family History Notes of Regina Robson Great Grandaughter
Henry Vogler & Mary Lillis