Philip Steer
Image: Margaret Sellwood
FatherEdward Steer b. 1819, d. 5 Jan 1898
MotherAnn Dutnall b. 27 May 1827, d. 25 Jul 1864
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

Philip Steer was born on 2 July 1855 in Langhorne Creek, South Australia.1,2 
He married Euphemia Forrest, daughter of Alexander Forrest and Annie (?), on 9 September 1879 in Bordertown, South Australia.3 
He died on 11 August 1937 in Kerang, Victoria, at age 82.4,5 

Family

Euphemia Forrest b. 1859, d. 13 Mar 1914
Children
ChartsMcDonald, Irene, pedigree chart
Steer, Edward, descendant chart

Story

Philip was the second of his family born in Australia. He was was a farmer in Langhorne Creek and Wolseley in South Australia, and in Lake Boga in Victoria. At different times, he has then been described as a commission agent, contractor, stationer, newsagent and baker. Philip and his wife Euphemia had six children, though only four reached adulthood. He later moved from Lake Boga to Nyah and then to Kerang where he died aged 83.6
 
Philip was born in Langhorne Creek, South Australia on 2 July 1855. He was the sixth child of Ann and Edward.6,2
 
His first name is sometimes spelt 'Phillip', but his birth and marriage registrations have 'Philip'.2,3
 
Early Life
Philip was the second of his family to be born in Australia. His parents came from Kent in England, arriving in South Australia in October 1852. With them were four children, Maria aged six, Anne aged four, Caroline aged two and George less than a year old. While we know nothing of Philip's childhood, we know he had extended Steer family living in the area.7,1
 
Philip was a farmer, first in South Australia and later in Victoria.8,9,10
 
Marriage and Family
Euphemia Forrest and Philip Steer were married at the residence of J Venn in Bordertown, South Australia on 9 September 1879. They had six children between 1880 and 1893, with two early deaths.3
Philip and Euphemia Steer (Forrest)
Image: Nene Courtie
Two months after they married, Philip and Euphemia created a family photo album. This is now (2022) in the hands of their granddaughter, Margaret Sellwood (Lee).11
Philip & Euphemia Steer's photo album, Nov 1879
Image: Margaret Sellwood
Philip & Euphemia Steer's photo album, Nov 1879
Image: Margaret Sellwood
Family Life near Kaniva
Soon after their marriage in South Australia, Philip and Euphemia moved to the Victorian side of the border near Kaniva. Five of their six children were born there, and Philip took up farming.

Within a year of their marriage, the first child Alice Euphemia was born, in Dinyarrak, near Lillimur. A Mrs Forrest, probably Euphemia's mother, helped with the birth. The next two children, Margaret ('Maggie') and Helen were born in Lillimur in 1883 and 1885. Robert was born in nearby Kaniva in 1889. Sadly, the same year, Robert died aged just three months and Helen died aged three years. There was an outbreak of typhoid in the area in 1889. The last to be born in the area was Albert ('Bert'), born 1890 in Yearinga; Mrs Forrest also helped with this birth.

Alice and Maggie most likely attended school at nearby Lillimur.9,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
 
Wagon Trip to Lake Boga
Whether to leave behind the tragic deaths of the two young children, or with the hope of better farming prospects elsewhere, Philip and Euphemia decided to move from near Lillimur to Lake Boga. They moved between August 1890 (when Bert was born) and April 1892 (when we have a newspaper report of Philip in Lake Boga).
Lost, Stolen or Strayed
£1 Reward - Lost from Lake Boga about the middle of April, 1 bay pony gelding, blotch brand near shoulder, black points, wild and hard to catch, about 14 hands high, shod, last seen at Mystic Park. The above reward will be paid to anyone delivering same to Mr P Steer, or J O'Donnell, Lake Boga.19

 
The three children were loaded into horse-drawn wagons; Alice would have been about eleven, Maggie about eight and Bert one.20
 
Family Life in Lake Boga
When the family first moved to Lake Boga, Philip built a four-roomed cottage on their ten acre property. This is where youngest child Beatrice ('Beat') was born. The cottage was to be the family home for the next 15 years, and so is where the children did most of their growing up. They all attended school in Lake Boga.

In her late teens, eldest child Alice left the family home in Lake Boga and headed towards Echuca.

Having farmed in South Australia, around Langhorne Creek and Wolseley, then Victoria near Lillimur, when they moved to Lake Boga, Philip initially farmed there on their ten acre property.21,22
'Grandfather harvesting wheat' (Philip Steer, possibly man standing left of wheat bags), Lake Boga
Image: Margaret Sellwood
Food consisted of whatever was available at the time, and was quite dependant on the weather and economic conditions. The Federation drought of 1902 and the Great Depression of the late 1920s and early 30s were particularly tough times. On a good day it might be lamb that was part of Philip's pay, or Murray cod caught in the nearby Little Murray river. At other times, they might catch a rabbit or two to eat. The water in the nearby lakes was of poor quality, usually too salty. This would cause fruit crops to fail in some years and was known to wipe out whole seasons of many different vegetables. In leaner times, they would have to live on potatoes and onions.

In the big drought of 1902 times were very hard, Grandfather [Philip] found work at a big Station called Murray Downs. Once a fortnight he would walk the 10-12 miles home carrying half a sheep on his back, this was part of his pay. Most of the time they lived on potatoes and onions. [Memories of Beatrice Lee]23,24

'Fishing at Murrabit' (Philip Steer, possibly right)
Image: Margaret Sellwood
Ten Acre Property
In June 1899, Euphemia purchased their ten acre property close to Lake Boga township. This was solely in her name.

According to granddaughters, Nene Courtie and Bub Williams, Philip grew peanuts there.

In July 1907, the property was mortgaged. In May 1910, the mortgage was discharged, and another taken out with Bendigo Mutual Permanent Land and Building Society. In August 1911, the mortgage was again transferred, this time to Patrick Anthony Kelly. This mortgage was not discharged until well after Euphemia's death.25,24,26
Title held by Euphemia Steer, Lake Boga, Jun 1899
Image: Land Registry Services
Contractor
From 1903 to 1909, Philip gave his occupation as 'contractor' in the electoral rolls. As late as June and July 1914, there are references to Steer & Baker contractors, though we don't know for certain whether this is Philip Steer. One of Steer and Baker's contracts was for the formation, gravelling and clearing Swan Hill-Moulamein road near the 16 mile peg.27,28
 
Federal Coffee Palace
From about 1906, Euphemia and Philip ran a business, the Federal Coffee Palace, in Lake Boga. It was on the corner of Marraboor and Kerang Streets, and not far from the railway station. The family left the cottage, their home for about fifteen years, to live at the Coffee Palace.

The main business was meals and a boarding house. And at different times it included: a fruit and vegetable shop, soft drinks, ice cream, hairdresser, butcher, confectionery and tobacconist. There was also a cellar, stables, and when they sold, acetylene gas. When the family moved in, there were six bedrooms and when it was sold there were thirteen rooms. The sale advertisement states 'the wb portion of this building is entirely new'. The renovation may have occurred in mid-1907, when their ten acre property was mortgaged, possibly to finance the work.

Apart from the hairdressers, Philip, Euphemia, Maggie and Beat managed it all. Euphemia did the cooking, Maggie waited on tables and did the bedrooms, and Beat was in the shop. After Maggie married in 1907, Beat took over her role. With Lake Boga on the edge of the wheat belt it was very busy at harvest time, when farmers used to bring their wheat to the railway station. They came to the Coffee Palace for meals. There were also several permanent boarders.29,20,25
Euphemia Steer's Federal Coffee Palace, Lake Boga
Image: Margaret Sellwood
The half acre block was in two parts with a 50 m frontage to Marraboor St and 40 m frontage to Kerang St.30,31
Title held by Euphemia Steer, Lake Boga, Aug 1911
Image: Land Registry Services
Title held by Euphemia Steer, Lake Boga, Aug 1911
Image: Land Registry Services
In May 1907, the coffee palace was offered for sale, or let for two years. The offer was not taken up, so they ran it for another two years.32
 
Unfortunately, in February 1909 they were forced to sell the business due to Euphemia's ill-health. They had also tired of the workload.

LAKE BOGA
TUESDAY, 16th FEBRUARY
Immediately before the Stock Sale
SALE of the
VALUABLE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY
Known as the
FEDERAL COFFEE PALACE
Also
FRUIT and CONFECTIONERY SHOP and
HAIRDRESSING SALOON
To Investors, Speculators and Others

ANDREW S MUIR and CO having been favored with instructions from Mr E Steer, will offer for sale by public auction, as above:-
    All that piece of land having a double frontage to Marraboor and Kerang streets, containing about half acre, on which is erected a commodious dwelling of brick and wb, containing 13 rooms, kitchen and bathroom detached. The wb portion of this building is entirely new, and includes a splendid fruit and confectionery shop. There is also a hairdressing saloon and tobaconist's shop. A new acetylene gas plant has been installed, and water is laid on to the premises. The other improvements include stables, sheds and chaff house. Being centrally situated in the business portion of this rising township, within three minutes of the railway station, this property offers an exceptional opportunity to investors, speculators and others to secure a splendid place. Mrs Steer has long carried on business, and these premises are well and very favorably known throughout the whole of the district, as well as to the commercial and other travellers, who make it their house of call. There is always a full complement of boarders, and to anyone in want of such a business the agents can with confidence recommend this house. It would let readily at a remunerative rental, and Mrs Steer is selling off solely on account of ill-health. Should the property be sold the furniture and stock may be had at valuation.
Terms at Sale
ANDREW S MUIR and CO, Kerang, Cohuna and Lake Boga

Euphemia ultimately sold the business but kept the property. It is odd that she offered the land for sale, as the title shows she didn't own it until August 1911.

Hendersons initially took up the lease for two years, and it was known as Henderson's Coffee Palace. Then from mid-1911, it was known as Lee's Coffee Palace, after being taken up by Mr and Mrs Lee, whose son William, later married Beatrice. Lees ran the coffee palace until at least mid-1914.

Mrs Lee retired from the business around 1915 after her husband died. Beatrice returned and with William ran the business for some time.29,31,30,33,34,35,20
 
Commission Agent
According to his daughter Alice's 1910 marriage certificate, Philip was a commission agent [a person who transacts business on commission]. Another less common use of the term 'commission agent' is bookmaker, but according to his granddaughter, Bub Williams, he was far too righteous to ever be a bookie.36,26,37
 
Lake Boga News Agency and Fancy Goods Depot
In 1910, after selling the coffee palace business, Philip bought AC Stone's 'cash store, bakery, newsagency'. A Steer family photo shows Stone's name still on the building. Stone had originally offered the property for sale in March 1906, then described as a store, bakery and fruit shop on a quarter acre block. The now family of three, Philip, Euphemia and Beatrice, moved to live in the rooms behind the store.

By 1912, it sold books and stationery and was known as the 'Lake Boga Newsagency a fancy goods depot'. It also sold special occasion cakes:
... a beautiful wedding cake prepared by Mr P Steer, of Lake Boga.

Euphemia may have worked in the shop initially, but mostly it was Philip and Beatrice.38,26,24,39,40,41
The Lake Boga News Agency and Fancy Goods Depot, Philip Steer, proprietor 1912
Image: Progress of Swan Hill and District
Philip Steer's Newsagency & Bakery, Lake Boga
Image: Margaret Sellwood
In late 1913 or early 1914, typhoid hit the area, and Philip, Euphemia and Beatrice all contracted the disease and were taken to Kerang hospital. Euphemia died at the hospital while Philip and Beatrice were still there, though they both later recovered.

Beatrice continued to help Philip look after the shop.42,20
 
Euphemia's Death 
Euphemia Steer died of typhoid fever and cardiac failure in Kerang on 13 March 1914, aged 55. She was buried at Lake Boga cemetery on 14 March.43
 
At the time of her death, Euphemia had at least five grandchildren; Doris, Irene, Donald and Violet McDonald, and Philip Leslie Steer. Another, Alan Edward Steer, was born the year she died.
 
Obituary
Another death took place on the same day when Mrs Steer, wife of Mr P Steer, of Lake Boga, succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever in a private hospital at Kerang. The deceased lady was 55 years of age, and much respected and esteemed. She had been a resident of Boga for over 22 years. The death took place in very sad circumstances, as Mr Steer and his daughter are both on sick beds at Kerang, suffering from typhoid. The body was brought to Lake Boga by train, and was interred in the Lake Boga cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The funeral was very largely attended. The pall bearers were Messrs F Scown, J Robertson, W Green and J Baker. The Rev J Downey, MA, conducted the service.42
 
[The pall bearer, J Robertson, is the author of 'The Progress of Swan Hill and District: Introducing Ultima, Lake Boga, Nyah, etc.', which is used frequently in these pages.]
 
Euphemia's Estate 
Philip Steer was granted Letters of Administration in January 1916, though little happened with the estate until July 1920.

In the application, Philip stated:
The said deceased left her surviving Philip Steer this deponent of Lake Boga, stationer husband of deceased, Alice Euphemia McDonald of Nyah, married woman daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Cook of Lake Boga, married woman daughter, Albert Steer of Cheltenham, blacksmith son; and Beatrice Maud Lee of Lake Boga, married woman daughter all in the State of Victoria.


The Inventory of Assets gave two properties:
All those pieces of land containing half an acre or thereabouts ... in the Township and Parish of Lake Boga ... on which are erected a weather board shop and dwelling of 4 rooms, a bakers oven and house and stables and is enclosed by a picket and post and wire fence, the municipal valuation of which is £40-0-0. Total property value: £500.

All that piece of land containing 10 acres or thereabouts ... Township and Parish of Lake Boga ... on which is erected a 5 roomed weather board house and is enclosed by a post and wire fence, the municipal valuation of which is £6-0-0. Total property value: £200.

The first of these was the coffee palace property and the second was the ten acre property and family home. Both properties were transferred to Patrick Anthony Kelly in July 1920.45,30,31
 
Grocer and Baker in Nyah
In February 1916, Philip moved to Nyah and took over the grocery and drapery business from Mr Judd. This would have made him closer to his daughter Alice (now McDonald) and her family. Unfortunately things didn't quite go according to plan, and within 18 months he was insolvent. At this time, late 1917, Philip was described as a storekeeper and baker.46,47
 
New Insolvent
Philip Steer, storekeeper and baker, Nyah. Causes of insolvency - Pessure of creditors, losses in business. Liabilities, £938 4s 5d; assets, £514 14s; deficiency, £432 10s 5d. Mr DJ Wallace solicitor, Mr W Bell assigneee. [Sep 1917]47
 
Death of Albert
In 1918, Philip, Alice, Margaret and Beatrice received the news that their son and brother Albert died while on active service.
 
"Half Mast."
Private Albert Edward Steer, of C Company 60th Battalion, has been reported killed in action, in France, after having been in the firing line for only three months. His widow and three fine little boys reside in New street, Dandenong. Private Steer was an only son, of magnificent physique, and 29 years of age. His father and mother are living at Lake Bolac [sic: Lake Boga], while Mrs Steer's parents are Mr and Mrs Kennedy, of King street, Dandenong. His last letter was full of hope for a safe return home.48
 
DEATH - On Active Service
STEER - Killed in action on 8th August, 1918, in France, Private AE (Bert) Steer, only son of Mr Philip Steer, of Lake Boga, and brother to Mrs D McDonald, Nyah; Mrs W Cook, Lake Boga, and Mrs H Lee, Lake Boga. Aged 29 years.
    Though absent from among us, Bert,
     You are always in our thoughts;
    And those you left behind you
     Most keenly feel your loss.49
 
Family Gathering
This photo was taken at Murrabit, likely Maggie and Will's place at the time, around 1921.
Front: Alice McDonald (Steer), Maggie Cook (Steer), Bill (Philip) Lee, Philip Steer; others unknown; Murrabit (north of Kerang)
Later Years
In his later years, Philip lived with his daughter Maggie Cook in Kerang.
 
Philip Steer died of arteriosclerosis (years) and cardiac failure (days) in Kerang on 11 August 1937, aged 82. He was buried at Lake Boga cemetery on 12 August.4
 
At the time of his death, Philip had about 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
 

Citations

  1. [S99] Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1885, South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society Inc., May 1986, p. 1539.
  2. [S368] Genealogy SA online database search, index, Philip Steer entry, birth registration no. 5/202, 1855.
  3. [S368] Genealogy SA online database search, index, Philip Steer and Euphemia Forrest entry, marriage registration no. 120/872, 1879.
  4. [S367] Phillip Steer, death registration no. 16516, 11 August 1937.
  5. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Phillip' Steer entry, death registration no. 16516, 1937.
  6. [S99] Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1885, South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society Inc., May 1986.
  7. [S364] South Australia, passenger lists 1847-1886.
  8. [S234] 'Government land sale', Adelaide Observer, 1843-1904, newspaper, 28 September 1878, p. 12, viewed 14 August 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160114082
  9. [S362] Alice Euphemia Steer, birth registration no. 15067, 17 August 1880.
  10. [S235] 'Available for selection', Advocate, 1868-1954, newspaper, 30 October 1880, p. 17, viewed 14 August 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172858668
  11. [S51] Margaret Sellwood, personal communication.
  12. [S378] Albert Edward Steer, birth registration no. 24344, 16 August 1890.
  13. [S564] 'The prevalence of disease', Hamilton Spectator, 1870-1918, newspaper, George Robinson, 6 August 1889, p. 3, viewed 2 March 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225761692/…
  14. [S3] Victorian Pioneer Index 1836-1888, CD-ROM, Macbeth Genealogical Services, 1998, Margaret Steer entry, birth registration no. 17813, 1883.
  15. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Helen Isabella' Steer entry, birth registration no. 26689, 1885.
  16. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Ellen Isabella' Steer entry, death registration no. 8032, 1889.
  17. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Robt Alex' Steer entry, birth registration no. 4671, 1889.
  18. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Robt Alexr' Steer entry, death registration no. 8033, 1889.
  19. [S399] 'Lost, stolen or strayed', Kerang Times and Swan Hill Gazette, 1877-1889, newspaper, Harcourt & Co, 20 June 1893, p. 3, viewed 17 July 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222524867
  20. [S376] From the Memories of the Life of Beatrice Lee, unpublished, 1987.
  21. [S376] From the Memories of the Life of Beatrice Lee, unpublished, 1987, p. 1.
  22. [S361] Beatrice Maud Steer, birth registration no. 26902, 12 July 1893.
  23. [S376] From the Memories of the Life of Beatrice Lee, unpublished, 1987, p. 2.
  24. [S52] Doris 'Nene' Courtie, personal communication, 10 November 2001.
  25. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, Certificate of title, vol. 2371, folio 088, Lake Boga, 1899-1920.
  26. [S58] Violet 'Bub' Williams, personal communication.
  27. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Wimmera, polling place Lake Boga, 1903.
  28. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Wimmera, subdivision of Swan Hill, 1909.
  29. [S539] 'Lake Boga: Sale of valuable township property', Bendigo Advertiser, 1853-2003, newspaper, RR Haverfield, 11 February 1909, p. 8, viewed 10 August 2014, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89403608
  30. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, Certificate of title, vol. 3526, folio 173, Lake Boga, 1911-1920.
  31. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, Certificate of title, vol. 2387, folio 393, Lake Boga, 1891-1920.
  32. [S543] 'For sale or to let by tender', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 21 May 1907, p. 3, viewed 21 June 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221104134
  33. [S543] 'Special: Mr JE Crapp, dental surgeon', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 6 August 1909, p. 2, viewed 21 June 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222447751
  34. [S543] 'Special: Dentist. Mr AR Wellman', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 4 July 1911, p. 2, viewed 21 June 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222462281
  35. [S39] 'General news items: Dentistry', Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate, 1892-1937, newspaper, A Knox Chapman, 21 May 1914, p. 2, viewed 21 June 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87215888
  36. [S53] Donald Glenorchy McDonald and Alice Euphemia Steer, marriage registration no. 4052, 12 May 1910.
  37. [S2] 'commission agent', Lexico, online, Dictionary.com and Oxford University Press, viewed 22 July 2022, https://www.lexico.com/definition/commission_agent
  38. [S333] The Progress of Swan Hill and District: Introducing Ultima, Lake Boga, Nyah, etc., self published, 1912, p. 73.
  39. [S543] 'For private sale as a going concern', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 27 February 1906, p. 3, viewed 27 June 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222227116
  40. [S543] 'Orange blossoms', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 16 January 1912, p. 4, viewed 23 July 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222478628
  41. [S51] Margaret Sellwood, personal communication, 20 March 1997.
  42. [S543] 'Obituary', Kerang New Times, 1901-1918, newspaper, George Adams, 20 March 1914, p. 3, viewed 23 July 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87738147
  43. [S370] Euphemia Steer, death registration no. 2112, 13 March 1914.
  44. [S333] The Progress of Swan Hill and District: Introducing Ultima, Lake Boga, Nyah, etc., self published, 1912.
  45. [S363] 'Euphemia Steer', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 143955, probate, 1915.
  46. [S39] 'Nyah: Personal', Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate, 1892-1937, newspaper, A Knox Chapman, 7 February 1916, p. 3, viewed 20 April 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92120186
  47. [S39] 'General news items: New insolvent', Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate, 1892-1937, newspaper, A Knox Chapman, 6 September 1917, p. 2, viewed 18 April 2022, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91133682
  48. [S390] 'Half mast', Dandenong Advertiser, newspaper, 5 September 1818, p. 2, viewed 7 September 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88818842
  49. [S39] 'Death on active service', Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate, 1892-1937, newspaper, A Knox Chapman, 5 September 1918, p. 2, viewed 17 June 2021, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87265877