<Mr. August Heinrich Beyer died at his residence, "Moorburg," Rudolph-terrace, Glenelg. He was in his 74th year, and was a colonist of 60 years.Born in 1834 at Moorburg, a suburb of the old Hanseatic town of Hamburg, Germany, he came with his parents to Australia towards the end of 1847 in the Pauline, an emigrant vessel, and landed at Port Adelaide in April of the following year.
Mr. Beyer, sen., opened a general store at the corner of Pirie and Freeman streets shortly after his arrival, and his son, then a lad of 14, helped him in the business for some time.
When the Victorian gold diggings opened Mr. A. H. Beyer went, along with many hundreds of other South Australians, to try his fortune on the fields. He prospected with considerable success at Bendigo and Ballarat, and on his return to this State carried on business as a general grocer in the premises formerly occupied by his father.
In 1870 the lease of the premises expired and Mr. Beyer retired from business. Just before this he had been appointed accountant to the Adelaide Lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., and when he was relieved from the cares of his business he threw himself more fully into the affairs of the organisation.
He was appointed grand corresponding secretary in 1870, and with this office he combined for a number of years that of general secretary to the Adelaide district. He held these positions for 37 years with much ability, and only relinquished them when failing health compelled him to retire. This was about two years ago.
In addition to the positions mentioned the deceased was also for a time financial secretary of the Princess Royal Lodge, G.U.O.O.F. He was married on October 5, 1870, to Miss L. L. A. Haddrick, a daughter of the late Mr. T. G. Haddrick, himself an old colonist of 1839. There were no children, but the widow survives.
Mr. Beyer took a deep interest in matters affecting the social life of the early community of Adelaide. He was one of the founders of the German club, an early and prominent member of the Adelaide Liedertafel, and an enthusiastic and skilled chess player.
As a member of the Adelaide Chess Club he represented it in several intercolonial tournaments.
He was a private in the first company of volunteers formed in Adelaide, and for some time he acted as secretary to the late Sir George Kingston, the officer in charge.
The deceased had been ailing for about twelve months, but it was only during the last few weeks that he was compelled to take to his bed.>
Kibitzing
