The South Eastern Times (Millicent, SA : 1906 - 1954) Friday 25 September 1925
51187Death of Mr F. Werchon.—At the
age of 75 years, 40 years of which
were lived in the Miilicent district,
Mr Friederich Werchon passed away
at his residence, "Wattle Hills," near
Miilicent, on Monday evening. The
deceased was a well-known farmer,
who did his share as an early pioneer
in laying the foundations of the pre-
sent-day prosperity of this district.
His health began to fail about six
months ago, and his death was not
unexpected. Mr Werchon came out
from Hanover, Germany, with iis
parents, when he was seven years of
age. They settled at. Blumberg, now
known at Birdwood and after farm-
ing there for a few years the family took
up land at Robe. Mr F. Werchon's
first venture as a landed proprietor
was at Pompoon, near Miilicent.
The country there did not suit
him, and he returned to Robe. Later
on he took up several hundred acres
near "Koorine." This too, proved"
unsatisfactory, and he surrendered his
holding. When. the section was
allotted, however, he took it up again
and he retained the land until about
ten years ago, when he sold out to
Messrs Graney Bros., of Mount Mcln-
tyre, Mr. Werchon was married at
Robe to Miss A. R, AberIe, and he left
his wife and family there until he
found himself on the road to success
on the Kalangadoo land, Then, in
order that his children might be near
to a school, he purchased a home close
to Millicent 40 years ago. He bought
several properties in this district,
some of which were sold subsequently,
and others were transferred to his
children. He was a good farmer, and,
with the help of his family, he went
in for dairying with much success. He
wae one of thje first men in the district
to realise the value of wattle
bark, and both as a grower of bark
and a purchaser of stripping rights he
augmented his income considerably,
Mr Werchon was rarely idle, and the
measure of prosperity that came to
him was well earned. As a resident
of the district, he took no interest in
public affairs, but his manner of liv-
ing made him widely respected. He
was a prominent member of the
Lutheran Church at Millicent, and
the service at the graveside was con-
ducted by the Rev. Edwin Auricht, of
that denomination. Mr J. W. T. Koch
carried out the mortuary arrangements.
The funeral was largely attended.
Mr Werchon leaves a widow,
seven children, and 19 grandchildren.
The sons are Messrs F. E. and E. A.
Werchon, Of Millicent and A. C. Wer-
chon, officer in charge. of the Cleve
police station. The daughters are
Mrs L. A. Chant, and Mrs S. Clarke,
of Mount Gambier; Mrs W. E. Vorwerk,
and Mrs. E. J. Osmond, of Mill-
cent.