Editorial note — the printed book gives these dates as "1862–21.7.1972." They are corrected here to 1872 – 21 July 1962. This agrees with the tribute itself ("He died aged 90 on 21 July, 1962"), with the Australia Death Index (Joseph William Steinhauser, died Daylesford 1962, age 90, born about 1872; registration no. 14008), and with Find a Grave. This note is not part of Malcolm Kinniburgh's original text.
Grandpa Joe occupied a special place in my formative years. Being a very late arrival – sixteen years between my birth in 1938 and that of my sister Shirley – meant that Grandpa was in his late sixties when I was born. We lived on the same block in Daylesford as Grandma Tot* and Joe, therefore my contact with my grandparents was extremely close: e.g., every day until I moved with my parents to Hospital Street in or about 1955. I called in to their house on my way to school and often had lunch there, and always called in after school. My mother suffered ill health and was hospitalised in Melbourne for two to three months on at least three or four occasions. During her absences I stayed with Joe and Tot and was therefore more like a son than a grandson.
Joe and Tot were without doubt one of the most devoted couples I have ever seen. At their Diamond Wedding Joe recounted that he first saw Charlotte crossing a stile at Blanket Flat (Eganstown) and resolved that when he had the money he would ask her to marry him because she looked so beautiful. They were totally devoted to each other and to their family, the entire crux of their lives being their children**, grandchildren, sisters and brothers.
Grandpa Joe was, by any measure, a remarkable person. My memories of him could fill a book. He was a man of many talents who used those talents to achieve what I consider were quite outstanding objectives.
After leaving school in Clunes Joe worked for some years in Melbourne and from there, came to work in Daylesford where he acquired one of the town's oldest aerated water and cordial manufacturing businesses. The factory, at the corner of Bridport and Victoria Street, had been established in 1862 by C. W. Moore whose specific marketing design on his bottles was a pigeon. I have mint examples of these bottles called Hamilton's Patent or, more commonly, 'torpedoes'. The factory stood until 1986 when the main part was demolished. On the front could still be seen the name...J.W. Steinhauser & Sons. Grandpa delivered his wares in hand-woven baskets – one of which I have – to places such as Swiss Mountain, Eganstown, Newlyn and as far afield as Clunes: a round trip of 80 miles. A long way in a horse-drawn cart! After World War One Grandpa purchased a brand-new Ford Truck (an 'A' or 'T' model) to do these rounds. This was a fairly innovative move in a country town.
He worked long hours and Grandma took in boarders to further supplement their income. He survived anti-German feeling during the war even though his youngest sister, Emma, was obliged to change her name to Harper in order to obtain employment. Harold, his eldest son, joined the A.I.F and served in France and on the Somme.
Joe was an enthusiastic fireman serving as Captain, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor over many years. He was responsible for the purchase of the first motorised fire engine in Daylesford and provided the shortfall – an amount of hundreds of pounds – needed to buy the vehicle.
Joe's talent to make money was a local legend. He was active in many business ventures particularly gold-mining. He acquired a shop in the main street (Vincent Street), land at Sunshine and Ballarat plus shares in New Zealand forestry. He also provided capital for fellow business colleagues.
He was in many ways a living example of the Victorian family patriarch. He was a true father figure ruling his family with loving authority being firm but fair. He controlled the family's finances rigorously until the day he died. Business affairs were not part of Grandma's domain: he dutifully gave her the housekeeping money on a certain hour of a certain day from his home-office safe but would not discuss business matters.
He was frugal but not mean in all that he did. I worked with him cutting the many hedges that were on the block and he paid me handsomely: One Pound or One Pound Ten Shillings for a week's work – a worthy wage for a young lad eleven to fifteen years of age. He would patiently explain to me that one must learn to work hard; be frugal, save and have patience. He would say...In marriage, without money, love flies out the window.
Joe was whip-lean; he cut all the firewood well into his seventies and in his eighties, when we cut hedges, he would work as hard as I did on a fairly high ladder because the hedges were up to ten feet high in places (arches over gateways). He did not drive and in fact feared motor-cars. His car, a 1934 De Soto Deluxe was marvellous to ride in; deep buttoned upholstery, wooden dashboard, arm-rests and lots of chrome and extras.
He was a genuine citizen being active in local politics; a town councillor for 13 years and Mayor in 1939-40. He had a gentle but dry sense of humour. He dearly loved Test Cricket, the beloved Age newspaper and the radio serial, Blue Hills. He was a keen observer of human nature and Australian politics were of great interest to him. He was without doubt someone I was truly fortunate to have as a grandparent. He was firm but patient; a gentle, wise and humble man who rarely passed judgement but acted with care and concern for those in need or with troubles. He was the very cornerstone of his family and his death was the beginning of the end for our large, extended family.
That he was a success is affirmed by the following simple facts: it was only in his last two years of life that he accepted an Old Age Pension. He retired at 65, so for 25 years he lived on his income and acquired savings: a remarkable feat. He died aged 90 on 21 July, 1962.
The only time he spent in hospital was the last few days of his life. My Grandma – with her Irish descent – had her beloved Joe 'waked'. He lay in his casket in the front lounge and 'respects' were paid to him there: not a a common occurrence in 1962! Their home, until the the day the property was sold in 1966, remained genuinely Victorian, there being few modern amenities or fittings; cedar furniture, balloon-backed chairs, cedar chests of drawers, lustre vases, French 'flap' desk, superb miniature roll-top desk, etc.,†
Joe was proud of his German heritage even though it had caused him much pain in two World Wars. He truly loved his native country and spoke of his early years in Clunes with deep affection.
Born in Victorian times he was a man of his times yet one who developed into a 20th century person. He did not discard his Victorian upbringing: using what was of value for his family but at the same time adapting to a fast-changing century. That he was loved, cherished and remembered by those who knew him is indisputable. If, in some small way I can repay the great debt I owe him by providing this insight on him, it is indeed an honour.
Malcolm Kinniburgh
California Gully, Victoria
18 September 1990