Luigi Gervasoni
Background
Luigi Paolo Gervasoni was born in San Gallo, Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy. He arrived in Australia in 1863 and settled at Yandoit Hill with his brothers, Carlo and Giuseppe, who had arrived in 1855. [1] Luigi married Eliza Ritzau who was the Australian born daughter of German parents.
He died of Brights Disease on 11 April 1908, aged 66 and is buried at Sandon Catholic Cemetery.
Obituary
- The funeral of the late Mr L. P. Gervasoni, of "Bergamo House" Yandoit, took place yesterday afternoon, the remains being interred in the Sandon Cemetery in the presence of a large assemblage of friends. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 65th year, had been a very old and respected resident, having represented his district in the Mount Franklin Shire Council for years. He leaves a widow, four sons, and two daughters to lament their loss. The polished oak coffin, which was mounted in solid brass, was bourne to the grave by Messrs B. Righetti, D. M'Kinnon, D. Anderson, J. M'Pherson, A. Ritzau, and B. Gervasoni.[2]
- Mr Luigi Gervasoni, late of Yandoit Creek, retired farmer and vigneron, who died on 11th April last, possessed of property valued at L5671. By his will which was filed for probate yesterday, testator bequeathed his estate to his widow and children.[3]
Drystone Homestead
Luigi built a home of drystone at Yandoit Hill called Bergamo and set about planting vines.[4]
Wine making and Farming
Gervasoni ran a mixed farm and sold farm and dairy produce.[5] The wine made by Luigi Gervasoni was sold locally, and exported to Ireland.[6] He was said to have a sharp business sense, and his literacy 'appears to have enabled him to exert considerable influence in his immediate community.' [7]
Community
Luigi Gervasoni was a member of the Mt Franklin Shire Council.
External Sites
Naturalisation paper - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1773382
Also See
References
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare, Directory and Bibliography of Swiss & Italian Pioneers in Australasia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2002.
- ↑ Mount Alexander Mail, 15 April 1908.
- ↑ Mount Alexander Mail, 11 June 1908.
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare, Bullboar, Macaroni and Mineral Water: Spa Countries Swiss and Italian Story, Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa Inc, 2005
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare, Directory and Bibliography of Swiss & Italian Pioneers in Australasia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2002.
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare, Bullboar, Macaroni and Mineral Water: Spa Countries Swiss and Italian Story, Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa Inc, 2005
- ↑ Culvenor, Claude Yandoit Creek and the Gervasonis, Jim Crow Press Victoria, 2003.
--C.K.Gervasoni 21:07, 30 December 2011 (EST)