John Frederick (known as Fred), son of Johan Gottlieb and Joahann Louise (née Walter) Seiffert was born on 10 June 1871 at Paraparap. He was brought up by his grandparents, Johann Friedrich and Annie Elizabeth (née Ridlich) Seiffert after his parents died when he was young. Friedrich and Elizabeth were both born in Pommerzig in Prussia and had emigrated to the colony on the Peter Godeffroy, landing at Hobson's Bay, on Saturday, 19 September 1857. At the age of eight years, Fred started his formal education at Pettavel School. He left school at the age of twelve because of family circumstances. Fred married Annie Maria Petzke on 1 February 1899 at Christ Church Church of England in Echuca. They had the following children: Ernest Frederick George — born on 21 February 1900, died on 19 May 1984, buried at Freshwater Creek Cemetery Claude Emil — born in 1901 at Paraparap, married Nancy Jean Trigg in 1943, married Dorothy Gordon Cameron in 1946, died on 5 October 1968 aged 67 at Geelong, buried at Freshwater Creek Cemetery Dorothy May — born on 1 June 1904, married Rupert Leslie Lehmann, died on 24 October 2004 aged 100 years, buried in the lawn section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery Stella Sabine Caroline — born on 28 October 1905, married Emil Victor Menzel on 26 February 1930, died on 23 July 1993 aged 87 years, buried at Freshwater Creek Cemetery Gertrude Evelyn Augusta — born in 1911, married James Frederick Field in 1940, died on 15 October 2010 aged 98 years, buried in the lawn section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery Myrtle Annie Lilian — born in 1914 at Geelong, married Eric Barkla Bufton in 1941, died on 9 August 1997 aged 83 years, buried at Bellbrae Cemetery In March 1902 Fred sold 76 acres in the parish of Duneed (section 35 allotment K) to Edward Lugg who owned allotment G. In March 1903 he sold 122 acres section 1 in the parish of Paraparap to his brother. He used the money from both blocks to buy the 327 acres being allotment 88 in the parish of Puebla which was situated just outside the township of Jan Juc (now Bellbrae). This farm was sold to John Calvert Bell about 1913 and occupied by J R Wilson. It was bought back a few years later after Fred sold Bongongo. It then became known as Wharparilla after the place where Annie grew up. Fred became involved in community affairs becoming a member of both the school and the hall committees and playing his fiddle for local dances. He was a Barrabool Shire councillor serving from 1928 until 1940. Annie died on 30 May 1965 at the age of 86 years and was buried at the Freshwater Creek Cemetery. Fred died on 17 July 1968 aged 97 and was buried with her. | Fred bought 604 acres on the corner of Anglesea and Hendy Main Roads known as Bongongo (meaning good pastures) about 1909. It was said to be full of furze at this time, but carried more cows later when Earlier owners of this land were John Fallon and Charles White. |
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