Son of Conrad and Louisa
John Simon (k/a Jack) was also born while his father Conrad was employed at “Mt. Lindsay Station”. Jack lived all his life in the Barraba district, working at “Slatey Gully” until immediately prior to his death, when the property was sold. Jack actually lived in Edward Street, Barraba, with his wife Louisa Katherine (nee Christensen) during his later years. Louisa was known to have come from Dresden in eastern Germany (hence the name of the Edward St. residence – “Dresden”.)
Cliff Schmidt remembers ‘Louisa always called her husband John Simon “My Jeck!” She was a very kind person.
Louisa had a brother living in Manilla NSW who had a family, but the descendants all died before reaching the age of 21 years. John Simon and Louisa had no children.
Jack died on 10 February 1929 at Barraba and is buried in the Barraba cemetery. His wife continued to live at their Edward Street residence “Dresden”, caring for her mother-in-law, Louisa, until her death in 1932.
The will of Louisa Kitherine Simshauser (John Simon’s wife) is very interesting and includes the following information. The sole executor and trustee was John Barry Ryan – solicitor, Barraba. It was made on 26 May 1930 (after death of her husband John Simon). Her mother-in-law Louisa Simshauser (ie. Conrad’s wife) was allowed ‘sole use of and occupation of residence (rent free) if she should not pre-decease me. And upon death of my mother-in-law or if she should pre-decease me, income from my estate to be divided equally between the following –
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW
Council of Church of England, Barraba
Trustees of Roman Catholic Church, Barraba
Committee of Barraba District Hospital
Institution of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Children of NSW’
Whether the actual requests nominated in this will were executed is unknown as Louisa Katherine married a second time – Albert?, and she went to the Newcastle district to live, where Albert owned a poultry farm.