Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse. Mary Jane Piesse.
MARY JANE PIESSE
Katanning’s “First Lady”
Born: Mary Jane Elizabeth Chipper – Perth, 1854
Died: 5 April 1936 – Buried Katanning Cemetery, Perth
Married: Frederick Henry PIESSE – 18 Oct 1877 at Kojonup, by the Rev. W. Wardell Johnson
Children:
Frederick Thomas Roper PIESSE, 1878-1925 (in Randwick, NSW) – Married 1905 – Mildred May Jackson.
Cecil Earnest Charles PIESSE, 1882-02/08/1915 (in Marvel Loch, WA) – Married 1905 – Florence Wilson
Harold Vivian PIESSE, 1884-15/09/1949 (in Katanning) – Married 1911 – Elizabeth Martin Verney
Melville Hubert PIESSE, 29/03/1890-1920 (Rabaul, New Guinea) – Married 25/09/1912 – June Tarleton
Florence Ethel PIESSE (Reid), 1893 – 05/12/1980 (in Katanning) – Married 1923 – Robert H Reid
Miss Mary Jane Chipper was in charge of the Kojonup Post Office and was the first woman telegraphist in Australia. Mary Jane became Mrs. F.H. Piesse on 18 October 1877 at Kojonup, not long after his arrival in Williams. She became his lifelong help mate, freely entering into his political work and assisting him in every possible way, both in the home and business. Their first place of residence was the first Post Office at Williams, now the Police Station. Their second residence was the old store in Williams. When they arrived in Katanning they lived in the old bungalow opposite the Church of England (which was considered to be one of the finest mansions in WA). 1902 saw them move to Kobeelya where F.H. resided until his death on 29 June 1912. Mary Jane lived the remaining years of her life at “Kulal” which was built by one of her sons (Frederick).
LATE MRS. F. H. PIESSE
Well-known Katanning Figure.
Western Mail
9 April 1936 – P60
KATANNING, April 4. Mrs. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse, relict of the late Mr. F. H. Piesse, C.M.G., died this afternoon at her home, Kulal, Clive Street,. Katanning, at the age of 82 years.
Up to the time she underwent an operation ten weeks ago, Mrs. Piesse was remarkable for her vitality and activity. While the operation was successful, her advanced age proved an obstacle to complete recovery and the end came peacefully. The late Mrs. Piesse was a daughter of Thomas Chipper, of Kojonup, and had four sons and a daughter. Her husband died in 1912 and a son, Mr. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C., and a daughter, Mrs. Robert Reid, of Kojonup, alone survive her.
Mrs. Piesse had been associated with the district practically for the whole of her life. After her marriage she lived for a short time at Williams before coming to Katanning, where she made her home until her death. She lived quietly at Kulal after her widowhood, but retained to the end her interest in social movements. She was keenly interested in the Katanning branch of the Country Women’s Association and other kindred societies. A keen church worker, she supported liberally St. Andrew’s Church, of which she laid the foundation stone in 1898. She was also a foundation member of the Home of Peace, Subiaco.
OBITUARY
DEATH OF MRS F. H. PIESSE.
Southern Districts Advocate
6 April 1936 – P5
Regret was expressed on all hands, on Saturday last when it became known that Mrs F. H. Piesse, one of the few remaining links with the very earliest settlement of our district, and particularly of our town, had passed to her long rest.
Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse born in Perth on the 30th of January 1854, was the daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Chipper. The late Mrs Chipper was one of the Maley’s, the old pioneer family of Greenough Flats, Western Australia.
The late Mrs Piesse received her education at the Convent in Perth and when a girl, lived with her parents at “Minnerrellup,” which is now known as “Glenlossy,” and is about a mile out of Kojonup. She spent most of her girlhood days in the Kojonup district and later married the late Hon. F. H. Piesse, C.M.G., and then resided in the Williams district.
She was a great helpmate to her husband, always entering into his business undertakings. Whilst in the Williams the well-known firm of F. and C. Piesse was founded and Mrs Piesse’s sister, Miss Minnie Chipper, married the late Mr C. A. Piesse, and they took up their residence at the Arthur River, known in those days as the “125 mile.”
In 1886 the late Mr and Mrs F. H. Piesse came to live in Katanning in the old bungalow, opposite the Church of England, this being the first residence erected in the township, where they both resided for many years and, later in life when Mr Piesse was appointed Commissioner of Railways under the Forrest Government, they took up residence in Perth. When their family had grown up they returned to Katanning to live in “Kobeelya,” which is now known as the “Kobeelya Girls’ School.”
Mrs Piesse had continually resided in our district since that date. During those years she had endeared herself to the residents of the town and district. She always entered whole-heartedly into the welfare of the people and will be greatly missed by her many friends. She had always taken a great interest in St. Andrew’s Church, the Ladies’ Guild and the C.W.A.
Some 10 weeks ago it was necessary for her to undergo a serious operation, and although she made a marvellous fight to regain her health, unfortunately she passed away on Saturday last at 12.30.
The only surviving children are Mrs Robert Reid, of Kojonup, and Mr Harold V. Piesse, M.L.C., of Katanning. The remains were laid to rest in the Katanning cemetery, beside those of her late husband, as we were about to go to Press this afternoon, and further particulars with list of the wreaths will appear in our next edition.
FUNERAL.
MRS. F. H. PIESSE.
Southern Districts Advocate
13 April 1936 – P3
The funeral of the late Mrs. F. H. Piesse, whose death was referred to in our last issue, took place on Monday last, the Ven. Archdeacon Burbidge performing the last sad rites. In his address Mr. Burbidge remarked very feelingly on the fine spirit and fortitude shown at all times by the deceased lady in the face of adversity, proving herself a real Christian.
Coffin bearers were Messrs. A. Severin, A. Radford, J. Sturgess, E. Cory, J. W. Anthony and A. J. Morrell, pallbearers being Messrs. Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C., W. E. Richmond, Eli Quartermaine, W. D. Grover, R. Krakouer, C. Haddleton, A. Prosser, W. J. Rogers, W. E. Cronin, M. Beeck, R. S. Bell and Frank Norrish. Chief mourners were Hon. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C. (son), Robert H. Reid (son-in-law), Frank Piesse and Drew Watson (brothers-in-law), Francis Piesse (grandson), Austin, Edmund, Leslie, Hector, William and Mervyn Piesse (nephews), Claude Piesse (cousin), Maley, Arthur and Don Chipper (nephews), and J. H. Norrish.
Amongst those who attended the funeral were Messrs. F. M. Bowden (representing Mrs. R. L. Richardson and family), Geo. Anderson, C. Worsley, A. Hawksworth, E. N. Walker, P. H. Crossley, J. Fairclough, Snr., G B. Ball, G. McIntyre, A. W. G. Phillip, A. S. Jarvis, E. A. White, E. H. Nicholas, N. W. Broun, A. L. Gilbert, J. Fraser, C. Shaw, R. Scott, W. Neary, I. Synnott, G. E. Meldrum, F. Gilbert, Harry Meldrum, D. Gillon, N. McDonald, E. Thomas, G. A. Beeck, A. Keirle, Herbert Hood, J. Sawers, C. Bishop, M. Flaherty, C. G. Rhead, A. S. Tree, E. C. Pope, A. H. Parkes, W. P. Bird, A. G. Hobbs, G. M. Ferguson, F. Hillman, A. T. Crouch, A. A. Stevens, C. G. Clifton, G. E. H. House, A. Dennis, G. Rodwell, R. L. Spencer, A. A. Chapman, S. H. Dale, Max Ball, J. Barkley, H. W. A. Tylor, Ted Hoare,
V. Gilman, A. G. Washington, L. S. Bell, George Simper, A. W. Kruger, J. Munro, S. W. Longmire, J. H. Charlton, A. D. Smith, E. Jones, W. Dennis, T. R. Alderson, J. S. Goode, G: McLeod, N. B. O’Halloran, T. Stayt, H. C. Ball, J. G. Mouritz, F. J. Gulley, J. R. Downer, Cliff Anderson, J. A. McDonald, G. Sturges, W. Folland, J. A. Meldrum, R. Kuhlken, R; Bluntish, W. E. Rischbieth, C. J. Gunter, P. W. Temby, K. E. Ball, W. J. Riley, G. Noonan, F. Higman, W. Stewart, M. Balston, W. M. Green, D. B. Feakes, F. A. Rogers, J. R. Tunney, A. W. Partridge, E. J. Fewings, F. J. P. Noonan, E. F. Severin, A. F. Watts, M.L.A., T. R. Wilkinson, F. C. Wingrove, J. M. Thomson, Ross Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Quartermaine, Jnr., Mr. and Mrs. Hanna, Mr. and Mrs. C. Haddleton, Mr. and Mrs. MarrIs,
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Holly, Mr; and Mrs. S. H. Dale, Mesdames Dilworth, W. H. Watson, I. Saunders, Dickson, Eli Quartermaine, Snr., E. E. Church, E. A. Mouritz, Ball, L. S. Bell, J. E. Jones, Misses Saunders, A. Bell, M. Tunney, Woollett, O’Connor.
Wreaths were forwarded by the following: Florence and Harold, Bessie and Harold, Betty and Francis, Kathleen and Edgar, Robert Reid and Grandchildren, May Piesse, N. Piesse, Mrs. Cecil Piesse, Gwendoline and Cecil, Bertha and Drew, Claude, Margaret and Pam, Ruby (Tas.), Myrtle and Frank, Vera and Harold, Ruby and Austin, Ina and Jim, Eva and Sep, Uncle Frank, Sarah and family, Uncle Alf. and family, Arthur and Lall, Don Chipper, Maley Chipper and family, Leslie Piesse and family, Mrs. Frank Wilson and Mabel, Frank Wilson, Jnr., Fred Chipper and family, Albert and Vera, Louisa and family, Flora and family, June Piesse (Sydney), Mrs. Mary Farrelly, Mrs. Muriel Brennan, Milly and John, Dr. and Mrs. F. M. House, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Richardson, “Braeside” staff,
Mr. and Mrs. H. Lindner, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Gilchrist and family, Mrs. Justins and Ted, Mr. and Mrs. Pickering and girls, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Geo. McLeod and family, Lady Associates of Katanning Golf Club, Dr. and Mrs. E. C. Pope and family, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Severin, Mr. and Mrs; E. F. Cory and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Morrill, Katanning Stock and Trading Co., Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Parkes, Directors of Katanning Flour Mills Limited, Mr. and Mrs. F. T. F. Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Jenna and family, Rector and Vestry St. Andrew’s Church, Katanning, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hoglin, Elder, Smith and Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hassel and family, Noel McDonald and family, Mrs. T. Norrish, Snr.,
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Wingrove and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Old, Mr. and Mrs. W. Broun, Mr. and Mrs. F. Higman, A. and F. Keirle, Mr. and Mrs. G. McIntyre and George, Mrs. F. M. Jamieson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Anderson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. House and family, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Davies, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Page and family, Mrs. Worsley and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Nicholas, Employees Katanning Flour Mill’s, Mr. A. H. Dickson and Lorna, All at “Indinup,” Directors Goode Durrant and Murray Ltd., Katanning Golf Club, Dr. and Mrs. Caldwell, Arthur, Dorothy and Mrs. M. K. Watts, Directors Richardson and Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Cockram, the Wanke families, Goldsbrough Mort and Co. Ltd.,
Katanning Butter Factory, Manager and Staff Palatine Insurance Co., Mr. and Mrs. Alderson, Members Marloo Club, Employees Richardson and Co. Ltd., C.W.A. Katanning Branch Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Walter and family, Mrs. W. E. Richmond and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fitzmaurice, Mrs. W. Pemble, Mrs. E. A. Wilson’ and family, Katanning Ladies’ Croquet Club, Staff and Employees B.C.D. and Piesse (Perth), Katanning Club, B.C.D. and Piesse (Perth), Directors and Members Australian Mill Products Ltd., E. Gilbert and family, Bank of New South Wales, Katanning, Mr. and Mrs. Don Chipper, Mr. and Mrs. John Downer, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Hardie and family, Directors Boronia Flour Mills, W. Thomas and Co. (W.A.) Ltd., Members of Mothers’ Union, Mr. and Mrs. Dillworth and Carl,
Mr. and Mrs. A. Mouritz and family, Mr. and Mrs. R. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Waldie-Forbes and family. Max Noble, Mr. and Mrs. Coxon, Mr. Meldrum and family, Girls Friendly Society of St. Andrew’s, Mrs. Saunders, Snr.” and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Crouch, Guild of St. Andrew’s, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Mouritz, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. ‘Hobbs, Mr: and Mrs. Inglis Synnott, Mr. and Mrs. L. Armstrong, Alan, Les and Bert, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Bunes, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bott; Mrs. R. L. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mathea, Mr. and Mrs. C. Haddleton and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Rae, Mr. and Mrs. R. Cobham and Muriel, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Prosser and family, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Les. Gare and Mrs. C. M. Gare, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Holmes,
Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Thomson, Mrs. E. Joy, Brian and Peg, Mrs. Alex Ball and family, Mr. and Mrs. Montague Balston, Mr. and Mrs; Eli Quartermaine and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Fewings, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hillman, Mr. and Mrs. M. Flaherty, Mr. rind Mrs. J. W. Anthony, Mrs. E. M. Bagg, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Hanna and family.
MORE
Daughter of Thomas Chipper and Elizabeth Chipper
Wife of Frederick Henry Piesse
Mother of Frederick Thomas Roper Piesse; Harold Vivian Piesse; Melville Huburt Piesse and Florence Ethel Piesse
Sister of John Thomas Whidby Chipper; Stephen George Chipper; Martha Amelia Ellen Piesse and Henry Charles Chipper
Half sister of Pte. Michael Nimbilope Chipper; Cecelia Teresa Frances Chipper; Stephen Augustine Chipper; Dorothea Julia Chipper and Stephen George Chipper