Arthur Guido Finster was my great-great-grandfather. This story of his life and his family in Australia is a continuation of the Finster family book published by C.H. Arthur Finster in 1921. Throughout this story, we shall refer to Arthur Guido Finster as Guido.
Arthur Guido Finster was born in Görlitz, in the Kingdom of Prussia, on 26th February 1823. He was the third son of Friedrich Nathanael Finster and Charlotte Florence Hubeler. He was a music teacher and learned the trade of upholstery in Germany.
In 1849 he immigrated to Australia from Hamburg on the “Emmy”, disembarking at Port Phillip, Melbourne on 19th December 1849.[1] He was one of Alexander Thomson’s 34 bounty immigrants. Alexander Thomson was a wealthy medical practitioner who arrived in Port Phillip in 1836 and took up extensive land holdings near Geelong. He cultivated vineyards and needed vine dressers to work for him. These immigrants were bound to Thomson for three years. Although Guido was not skilled in this trade, he was included as an individual immigrant with others who were skilled vine dressers, including the Koch and Wenzel families, who, with Guido, left from Sprottau, Germany.[2] These families established their church and schools in Germantown, now known as Grovedale. Guido immediately established himself in the music scene in Geelong, accompanying musical performances. In 1851 he was the pianist for the musical dramas at the Theatre Royal, Geelong with Mr Stainsby, the Leader of the Orchestra. [3]
Gold was discovered in 1851 in Bendigo and Ballarat, Victoria. It is difficult to trace Guido’s movements until he travelled back to Görlitz in 1859, but it is most likely that he joined the rush for gold during this time. From subsequent events, we can speculate that Guido went to the gold mine at Tarnagulla in 1852 when he left the vineyards at Geelong, as he returned to that area when he arrived back in Australia in 1860.
He did not stay long in Görlitz as he was unable to readjust to the way of life in his homeland. On 2nd November 1859, he departed Hamburg on board the “Madras”, arriving back in Australia on 5th March 1860.[4]
On the return journey to Australia, Guido met Margarethe Stamm, who was born in Frankfurt on Main, Germany in 1838. They were married at the Church of St Peter, Melbourne on 11th October 1860 just seven months later. They were members of the Lutheran Church.[5]
Their five children were born between 1861 and 1869: Emily on 21st August 1861, in Fitzroy, Melbourne; Arthur George on 13th October 1863 in Ballarat; Alwyn Theodor on 9th December 1865 in Sandhurst; Ida Charlotte on 31st January 1868.
Sadly, Margarethe died on 17th May 1869, two months after giving birth to Margaret, born on 11th March 1869, and Margaret died in infancy on 30th January 1870.
Subsequently, Arthur Guido married Sarah Kenn, an Englishwoman, on 11th July 1872.[6]
During this time, Guido had re-established himself as a music teacher, becoming a registered teacher on 13th October 1863. His Teacher Record No. was 2547. He was first appointed teacher of singing at Strathfieldsaye School, near Bendigo, Victoria.
Guido’s report by the school inspector stated that “Mr Finster is a good and energetic teacher, desirous of giving good work. He is courteous and gentlemanly and has excellent command of the children.”
Mr Summers, another school inspector, stated that Mr. Finster’s work “is worthy of praise”.[7]
Since settling back in Bendigo, he had also become active in the mining industry.
With Mr Beaver in 1867, he applied for a prospecting claim on the Lucas Reef, Sunrise Gully.[8]
In 1867, he became a director of the North Poverty Company, Tarnagulla, located about 50 km. from Bendigo. On a stone monument in Tarnagulla, there is a plaque commemorating the Poverty Reef Gold Mine, named for the discovery of gold by New Zealanders from Poverty Bay, New Zealand. From 1852-53, 324,000 oz. of gold was mined from the reef.[9]
He applied for mining leases with others, including in 1873 with Mr. Williams, named Chickaboo Company, 10a 1 r, Grassy Flat.[10]
Herr Finster, as he was known, was well thought of in the musical circles of Bendigo. On 14th November 1870, there was a complimentary concert for Herr Finster.[11] He certainly did not forget his German heritage for in March 1873 there was an Anniversary Ball in honour of the birthday of the German Emperor, organised by the Deutscher Vereix of Bendigo.[12] The music was supplied by Herr Finster. Under his able leadership, the German Choral Society flourished.
In October 1887, it was reported in the Bendigo Advertiser that a new waltz has been received from the composer, Mr A. G. Finster, who was highly spoken of in the musical profession. It was entitled ‘The Little Gertie Waltz’ and was dedicated to Miss Gertrude Annie Alger. Gertrude was a concert violinist and granddaughter of Guido. This waltz “can be adapted for Drawing Room or Ballroom”, according to the article.[13]
There are many instances reported by the Bendigo Advertiser of Herr Finster conducting his own orchestra for musical evenings and operettas. He was known as ‘Professor Finster teacher of piano and violin’, which was on a plaque attached to his house in Bendigo, where the family lived in McLaren Street, near the railway lines.
Herr Finster was sort after to supply the music for the Mayor’s Ball and to celebrate the St Patrick’s Day Ball.
In 1883, Guido applied for Letters of Naturalisation, under the Colonial Government of Victoria and Her Majesty Queen Victoria (Australia) and was subsequently naturalised on 19th September 1883.[14] He was happy to establish the Finster family in Australia and enjoy the life that was offered here. In April 1889, Guido sailed to Hamburg on the “Hapsburg 1”.[15] He was very close to his sister, Ida, who died on 2nd May 1889. How sad that he did not arrive before she died. He returned to Australia in December 1889 on the “Elbe”.[16]
He became unwell and died on 17th December 1892 in Prahran, Melbourne.[17] The death notice published in the Age, records that he will be missed by a large circle of friends.[18]
Arthur Guido Finster led an interesting life as an intrepid immigrant, as a great musical influence for children, and a provider of musical enjoyment for all. There is a little piece in the Bendigo Advertiser which, in reporting his death, acknowledges his contribution to music in Bendigo for over 30 years and as a colonist for 43 years.
[1] Melbourne Morning Herald 29 December 1849 page 2
[2] Department of Immigration for Geelong, Port Phillip District. List and payment of 34 bounty immigrants for A Thomson, 12 January 1850
[3] Geelong Advertiser 30 April 1851 page 4
[4] PROV VPRS 947. Unassisted inward Passenger list.
[5] St Peter’s Eastern Hill Register, Series 2. 1859-1860
[6] Births, Deaths and Marriages Reg No 3309/1872
[7] PROV M.O 13330 84/12365,14309 Teacher Record Books 1863-1959
[8] Bendigo Advertiser 14 June1867
[9] Bendigo Advertiser 28 June 1867 page 2
[10] Bendigo Advertiser 17 March 1873 page 2
[11] Bendigo Advertiser 14 November 1870 page 2
[12] Bendigo Advertiser 12 May 1873
[13] Bendigo Advertiser 22 October 1887 page 4
[14] NAA: A712,1883/Z8914
[15] PROV, VPRS: 948 Outward passenger list (1852-1923)
[16] PROV, VPRS Unassisted Passenger list (!852-1923)
[17] Births Deaths and Marriages 1892, Reg No 15240/1892
[18] Age 19 December 1892 page 1