Elizabeth Kniest WALDECK / MALEY
Born 14 May 1841 in Perth, Western Australia [138]
Daughter of Frederick WALDECK and Frederica Wilhelmina Louisa KNIEST [15]
Her father settled in Greenough in 1858 and was one of the district's earliest and best known settlers [9: 6-Jan-1911] [120: 1-Nov-1912]
Married John Stephen MALEY in Greenough in 1862 [15]
She and her husband lived in Greenough 1862-1910, where she gave birth to 14 children [9: 6-Jan-1911] [15]
John was a farmer and had a flour mill in Greenough which was the first in the State to use silk dressing machinery [9: 6-Jan-1911]
She and her husband were among the 20 who travelled from Geraldton to Perth by the steamer Lubra in October 1884 [225: 11-Oct-1884]
Met with His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Gerard SMITH, when he visited Greenough in 1897 [323: 3-Sep-1897]
She had known all of the Governor's predecessors and was reported as "one of the most respected of Greenough settlers" [323]
Won 1st prizes for Roses and Cut Flowers at the Greenough Flower Floral Art & Industrial Exhibition in 1898 [323: 30-Sep-1898]
Her husband, described as "one of the pioneer engineers" of Western Australia, died in Greenough on 28 December 1910 [9: 6-Jan-1911]
Five days after her husband's death she and two of her daughters travelled to Carnamah for a three week break [86: 5-Jan-1911]
Along with her daughters Mary and Grace caught the train to Carnamah on Monday 2 January 1911 [86: 5-Jan-1911]
During the three weeks they were the guests of Maggie, Bessie and Donald Macpherson at Carnamah House [86: 5-Jan-1911]
Along with her daughters Mary and Grace received a Surprise Party at their Home Cottage in Greenough on Tuesday 30 May 1911 [86]
The party was to bid the three of them farewell before they left Greenough to take up residence in Three Springs [86]
After music and dancing at Golden Sheaf House "the well known Maley hospitality" was eulogised in a speech [86]
She was presented with a gold ring containing her initials from the married ladies of the Greenough district [86]
Her daughter Mary received "a beautiful handbag" and her daughter Grace "a trinket box and handsome silver backed mirror" [86]
The evening concluded with a splendid supper which had been brought along by the visitors [86: 3-Jun-1911]
She was "relinquishing her position as head of the household" to her son Henry who was about to be married [31: 2-Jun-1911]
Resided on her sons' Parakalia Farm in Three Springs 1911-1913 [44] [50] [61] [120: 1-Nov-1912]
Resided in Greenough 1913-1917 [50]
Following her husband's death she was the freehold owner of Victoria Locations 95, 96, 97, 144, 145 and 173 in Greenough [61]
Mother of nine sons - George, Frederick, John, Albert, Charles, Henry, Arthur, Solomon and Frank [15]
Mother of five daughters - Hannah, Mary, Amy, Ada and Grace [15]
Died 22 August 1917 in Geraldton; buried at the Greenough Pioneer Cemetery in Greenough, Western Australia [138]
From The Geraldton Express newspaper, Friday 24 August 1917:
Obituary - Elizabeth Kniest Maley
"In the early morning of yesterday (Thursday, August 23), Mrs Elizabeth Maley, of the Greenough Flats, drew the last breath of an honoured and well-spent life at the residence of her daughter (Mrs A. Whitfield), in Fitzgerald-street, Geraldton. The deceased was the second daughter of the late F. Waldeck, a pioneer of this big district, and a greatly respected settler who was often referred to in bygone days as 'the father of us all'. Elizabeth Waldeck married long years ago Mr John Stephen Maley, a most energetic young man, a clever engineer, and in many ways a pushing and (for a long time) a very successful citizen. He was, indeed, at one period looked upon as the 'King of the Flats'. There was a large family as the result of this happy union, and eleven sons and daughters are still surviving. If the redoubtable 'John Stephen' was the 'King', the gracious lady who passed peacefully away yesterday morning was certainly the Queen of the Greenough, and a well-beloved one, being esteemed by all classes and creeds, a firm friend to those in trouble, and of the most hospitable and gracious disposition – a characteristic, by the way, of every member of the Maley family. The members of the deceased's family who survive are Mrs S. C. Cooper, Mrs J. Morrell, Mrs L. Macpherson (sisters), and Mr J. Waldeck (brother). Of her own particular flock there are living: Fred and Frank (both on active service), Charlie and Bert (members of Adam's profession at Three Springs), Sol. (established at Chilimoney, near Northampton), Jack (at the Island, near Walkaway), Harry (at the old homestead), Mrs M. Farrelly (Perth), Mrs E. Whitfield (York), Mrs Ada Whitfeld (Geraldton), and Miss Grace Maley (New Zealand). The children who pre-deceased their mother are George and Roy (sons) and Mrs Joshua Mills (daughter). There are many grandchildren, and the very name of Maley is a 'household word' pretty well throughout the State. A death peaceful, full of years, and possessed of the affection of a whole community, cannot be matter for regret still less for lasting grief, but the memory of Elizabeth K. Maley will undoubtably be evergreen amongst the people of the Victoria District, where she was so loved and honoured. Mrs Maley was in her 77th year at the time of her translation."
From The Geraldton Guardian newspaper, Saturday 1 September 1917:
The Late Mrs Maley
"The funeral of the late Mrs Elizabeth Kniest Maley took place last Friday week,. The remains were taken from her daughter's (Mrs Ada Whitfield) residence, Fitzgerald Street, Gerladton; to her son's (Mr H. K. Maley) residence, Greenough, from where the funeral started for the Greenough Methodist cemetery, very large number of friends from the Greenough and Geraldton attending. There were thirty-seven vehicles and motor cars in the cortege. The Rev J. G. Jenkin conducted the service. The pall-bearers were Messrs M. J. Logue, C. Duncan, A. Clinch and R. E. Morrell. Innumerable beautiful floral tributes were sent, also many letters and telegrams. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr G. Lester."
From The West Australian newspaper, Thursday 13 September 1917:
News and Notes - Death of an Old Colonist
"Another old colonist, in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth Maley, of the Greenough Flats, passed away on the 24th ult., at the residence of her daughter (Mrs. A. Whitfield), in Fitzgerald-street, Geraldton. The deceased was the second daughter of Mr. F. Waldeck, a pioneer of the Victoria district, and a greatly respected settler, who was often referred to in by-gone days as "the father of us all." Elizabeth Waldeck married long years ago Mr. John Stephen Maley, a most energetic young man, a clever engineer, and in many ways a pushing and a very successful citizen. He was indeed at one period looked upon as the "King of the Flats." There was a large family in the result of the happy union, and eleven sons and daughters are still surviving. If the redoubtable "John Stephen" was the "King," the gracious lady who passed peacefully away on 24th ult., was certainly the Queen of the Greenough, and a well-beloved one, being esteemed by all classes and creeds, a firm friend to those in trouble, and of the most hospitable and generous disposition - a characteristic, by the way, of every member of the Maley family. The members of the deceased's family who survive are Mrs. S. C. Cooper, Mrs. J. Morrell, Mrs. L. Macpherson (sisters), and Mr. J. Waldeck (brother). Of her own children there are living: Fred and Frank (both on active service), Charlie and Bert (farmers at Three Springs), Sol. (established at Chilimony, near Northampton), Jack (at the Island, near Walkaway), Harry (at the old homestead), Mrs. M. Farrelly (Perth), Mrs. E. Whitfield (York), Mrs. Ada Whitfield (Geraldton), and Miss Grace Maley (New Zealand). The children who pre-deceased their mother are George and Roy (sons), and Mrs. Joshua Mills (daughter). There are many grandchildren. Mrs. Maley was in her 77th year."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Elizabeth Kniest Waldeck / Maley' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 26 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/elizabeth-kniest-waldeck [reference list] |
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