Robert Heussler

'A Colonial Father', Fifteen years in the making, is the author's first book. This biography is a detailed account of the long and usefull life of Johann Christian Heussler from his 1820 birth in Bockenheim, near Frankfurt am Main, to his 1907 death in Brisbane. Heussler (pronounced Hoyssler by his descendants) was appointed Queenland's first Emigration Agent on the Continent of Europe.

This work is unique in that it gives a detailed insight into the life of one of Australia's leading German immigrants who lived and died before either world war inwhich his former homeland was Australia's bitter foe. It therefore reveals a life lived before any deep rooted distrust, which arose from these events, could have prejudiced his many contributions to the new and developing colony.

It primarily focuses on his appointment as Emigration Agent, detailing his activity since appointment during February 1861 to his resignation in December 1866. In this capacity he returned to his homeland, then the German Confederation, and recruited against certain odds, more than 6000 German farmers. These new colonists were largely responsible for the development of agriculture in south east Queensland and the growth of the Colony's Lutheran Churches.

Heussler's other contributions to the development of Queensland are given similair treatment, producing a balanced account of his life. These include a major role in the formation of the Pimpama Sugar Company during the mid 1860s, and urging the Government to establish artesian wells in Queensland's arid interior nine years before the authorities showed any real interest.

In addition to the afforementioned, he also took a major part in Queensland's Consular corps representing the Netherlands and the German Empire, and became a life member of Queensland's now defunct upper house of Parliament. He is also remembered for the building of, and his family's breif residence in, his grand home 'Fernberg', which formed the original part of Queensland's Government House.

The author has received reviews from interested organisations, including 'The Royal Historical Society of Queensland' and a number of family history societies. The net result is a balanced critique of the work in particular the standard of research and the flow of the prose. Despite it being a biography on this individual, it does not entirely ignore his family life both in Germany and Queensland.

This work is ideal for those interested in 19th century German emigration to Australia (particularly to Queensland), early commerce in the Moreton Bay region, German-Queensland trade, the workings of Queensland's now defunct upper house of Parliament, and last but by no means least, those doing family history on those who emigrated to Queensland under his auspices.

At present the author knows of no other full length biography existing and, apart from a number of articles by informed individuals, believes this is the first work completed to this extent at the time of publication.

It comprises 390 pages, several tables and more than 30 illustrations. It has also been referenced for those doing serious research. As this is self-published via Wild and Woolley, it can only be acquired from this website or direct from the author.

To purchase from the author, or for further information please write to 'Mr R C Heussler, P O Box 169, Artarmon NSW 1570, Australia'. If unable to get a satisfactory response for a book order from this website, please inform them. I regret any inconvenience and disappointment caused to any potential buyers.