Mr Rupert Isaac Koeppen HENDERSON

   FamilySearch ID: LT95-RR8.

  General Notes:

RUPERT ISAAC KOEPPEN HENDERSON

Recollections of his life written by his daughter Barbara Rounsevell October 1989


Rupert was the oldest son and third child of William Hall and Clara Henderson. He was born and grew up at his parent's home at 4th Avenue St Peters. He was educated at St Peter's College, leaving in 1907. He showed academic ability winning prizes in mathematics, French and German as well as general form prizes.

On leaving school he went to Mr Kelly!s property at Giles Corner (near Rhynie north of Adelaide) to learn farming, before taking up a property at Tintinara with his brother Geoff on land opened up by his mother's stepfather, Mr J M, Wendt, in 1903. He remained at Tintinara with Geoff until shortly before his marriage in 1923 and for much of that time his widowed sister Louise Magarey and her two children Ashley and Betty joined the household. Before his marriage in 1923 he purchased "Tall ala", a property of 800 acres at Hill River near Clare, where he ran a mixed farm growing wheat and grazing sheep. He married Maude Ermyntrude Ward van Senden on 2nd May 1923 at St Peter's College Chapel. They had three daughters, born while at Tall ala; Isabel Clare born 7/7/1924, Barbara born 4/2/1926 and Edith Margaret born 30/9/1928. In 1946 Rupert sold the farm and the family moved to Adelaide.

He was an active Church member over a long period, being a lay reader in Clare and warden at St Andrew's Church Walkerville. He became Secretary of St Andrew's Church Day School.

He was a Masonic Lodge Member for many years both at Clare and St Peter's Collegiate Lodge,

After retiring to Adelaide he played bowls regularly.

In February 1968 Rupert and Ermyntrude sold their house in Medindie and moved to the Helping Hand Centre, North Adelaide, Rupert died there three months later on 15th May 1968.

Ermyntrude continued to live there until her death on 26th September 1987, six weeks
before her 98th birthday.

Rupert married Ms Maude Ermyntrude Ward VAN SENDEN on 2 May 1923 in St Peters, Adelaide, South Australia. (Ms Maude Ermyntrude Ward VAN SENDEN was born on 8 Nov 1889 in Medindie, South Australia and died on 26 Sep 1987 in North Adelaide, South Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. Marriage Banns, 2 May 1923, St Peters College Chapel, Adelaide, South Australia.

The bride wore a charming gown of ivory brocaded crepe de chene, with wide hanging sleeves of spider lace. The straight hanging frock was caught in with ruche of the same silk, giving long waisted effect. Tulle veil and wreath of orange blossom completed the tout ensemble. She carried a posy of white blossoms, not wired. Miss Daisy Wein Smith was bridesmaid in roseda and blue shot taffeta frock and black satin hat; her posy was of tea roses and autumnal leaves with frill of mauve. Mr Harry Downes supported the groom as best man.

Excerpt from the Adelaide Advertiser, 3 May 1923