John Henry Besanko (1869 - 1953)

Born 28 May 1869 in North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Lettice Gertrude (Hier) Besanko — married 28 Dec 1898 in Terowie, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 2 May 1953 at age 83 in Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia

Biography

John was born in North Adelaide in 1869. His parents were Benjamin Besanko and Loveday Moyle^[1][2].

John went to Wallaroo Mines in 1898 looking for work. Unfortunately a mining accident (rock fall) severed his arm. Luckily, he recovered quickly and was able to return to work as a weigh bridge clerk^[1]

Lettice Gertrude HIER and John were married 28 Dec 1898 at the residence of Mrs J Hier, Terowie, South Australia, Australia^[3].

Marriage Notice^[4]

BESANKO—HIER.—On the 28th December, 1898, at the residence of the bride's mother, Fairfields, Terowie, by the Rev. J. C. Hill, John Henry, eldest surviving son of Captain Benjamin Besanko, M.E., of Hyde Park, Adelaide, to Lettice Gertrude, eldest daughter of the late Rev. John Hier, of Terowie.

They had 6 children.

Lettice Hier BESANKO 1899–1988

Enid Loveday Hier Besanko Pennifold SHEPLEY 1901–1986

Lillie Frances Hier BESANKO 1905–

Cyril John Hier BESANKO 1907–

Maurice Hier BESANKO 1911–

Dorothy Hier BESANKO 1913–

When the mines closed in 1923, John was appointed as Postmaster at Wallaroo Mines Post Office^[1].

He involved himself in church and institute work and bowls. He was treasurer of Wallaroo Mines Methodist Church for 37 years^[1].

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY'^[5].

BESANKO—HlER.

An atmosphere of thanksgiving which could have been engendered only by a true Christian spirit, prevailed throughout the happy celebrations that marked the golden wedding anniversary on December 28, of Mr and Mrs J. H. Besanko, of Wallaroo Mines. Such a family re-union as this kindly couple were able to enjoy is a blessing not many are privileged to receive and share.

Prior to an anniversary tea, a thanksgiving service was held in the Mines Methodist church, where they, have attended worship during their long years of residence. The Rev. J. C. Oliver officiated and Mrs Roberts was organist. Attended by the family and many friends, the service served a dual purpose, that of thanksgiving and a christening. In his opening prayer, the Rev. Oliver gave thanks in reviewing the years in which this revered couple had spent together in divine companionship, and with God's help, had cheered many lives around them. Making further reference later, Rev. Oliver congratulated the 'bride and bridegroom.' He had known them during his years in Kadina, and truly felt that they had discharged life's responsibilities faithfully; the love that had brought them together was a love that had and would continue to carry them through triumphantly. Their association with the church had priority No. 1, and the church had been their inspiration. They had been good citizens and finally their duty to their family had been faithfully discharged and through such a sautified family life lay the future stability of the world. He was sure this thanksgiving service, was God inspired, and that God's richest blessing would rest upon them the eventide of their life.

A solo "Thanks be to God, sung by Mrs Shepley (nee Enid Besanko) added to the richness of the service. Three lovely old hymns were sung by all present, and, an interlude between the singing of the verses of :O Happy Home" was the christening by the Rev. A. M. Jackson, of Wallaroo, of the two wee grand-children, Judith, daughter of Mr and Mrs L. D. Favilla, of Wallaroo and Suzanne, daughter of Mr and Mrs Cyril Besanko, of Netherby.

Adjourning subsequently to the church hall, which had been decorated appropriate to the occasion by John Roberts, guests were received by Mr and Mrs Besanko, and a happy atmosphere was prevalent throughout the anniversary tea. The Rev. Oliver presided again in his bright and kindly manner. Departing from the customary silence for the Royal Toast, Mr H. L. Noblett was given the honour of toasting our King, The toast was one of thankfulness, in keeping with the celebrations that day. He referred to the three points in the King's speech broadcast at Christmas. The toast of the :Bride and Bridegroom" was proposed by the Rev. Oliver, who rightly eulogised Mr and Mrs Besanko. He had known them ever since he came to Kadina and his association with them had become increasingly rich. This was a toast to a long and loyal association with the Mines church. Mr Besanko had been an accredited local preacher since 1892; was a church trustee; served 37 years, in succession as trust treasurer and had been connected with the Sunday school. He was a Christian gentleman who had been nobly supported by Mrs Besanko. She was a foundation member of the Ladies Guild and was now the only surviving foundation member. As its president, her motherly attitude had been a great asset to the Guild. For over 15 years she had been the church organist and had also been a S.S. teacher. The church had been placed first and foremost by them and their lives had been enriched accordingly. To this toast, Mr Besanko replied.

The toast of the family was ably given by the old family friend Mr Tom Tamblyn. The family he eulogised as a talented one, credit for which was due to the parents and the home training which had been the foundation of their success. The eldest daughter, Lettice (Mrs A. Forbes, of Orroroo) responded in a happy vein. The 8 grandchildren were toasted by Mr Chris Hand who besought them to follow throughout life, the example of their grandparents. A response was made by the eldest grandchild, Yvonne Pennifold, whose personality was a reflection of her grandparents.

With the cutting of the wedding anniversary cake, Mrs Besanko became reminiscent, reflecting upon happy and loving incidents throughout her lifetime.

Opportunity was taken by the Mines Ladies Guild to show their appreciation in a tangible way of the many years of service and good will of Mrs Besanko, by presenting her with a very fine occasional table. Mrs W. Hawke, secretary of the Guild, made the presentation.

A short social chat followed the tea, and preceded a delightful program of musical and elocutionary items, provided mainly by the members of the family, each item being a gem. Lettice Besanko (Mrs Forbes) held in wrapt attention her listeners, with a pianoforte solo; Enid (MrsShepley) again delighted everyone with her fine soprano voice, in a solo item, and in a duet with her daughter Yvonne; Geoff Treasure played the violin accompanied by his sister Beth (both children of Mrs Treasure (nee Lily Besanko); Kim Favilla (son of Mrs Lewis Favilla (nee Dorothy Besanko) also played a violin solo; Allan Phillip, a family friend, rendered a solo on the Obo. He is the holder of a scholarship in connection with this music. Local artists who assisted were Rev. A. M. Jackson, Mesdames K. L. Noblett, Spry, N. Cross and Miss Lorna Stanway.

Mr and Mrs Besanko were the recipients of many congratulatory messages, lovely, flowers and useful gifts. With the closing of the day, completing their fifty years together, one could not but help expressing the sentiment "Well done, thou good and faithful servants.

He passed away in 1953 at his residence in Stirling Terrace, Wallaroo^[6]

Death Notice^[7]

BESANKO, John Henry. —On May 2, at his residence, Stirling terrace, Wallaroo Mines, beloved husband of Letty Gertrude (nee Hier), and loving father of Lettice, Enid, Lillian, Cyril, Maurice (deceased), and Dorothy. Aged 84 years.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Copper Brought Them Here Volume One. Gould Book. Ed. Knight, R. and Briggs. T. p. 25
2. ↑ Birth Genealogy South Australia: Birth. 1869; BESANKO, John Henry; Benjamin BESANKO; Loveday MOYLE; Adelaide; 84/25. https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
3. ↑ Marriage to Lettice Gertrude HIER Genealogy South Australia: Marriage. 1898; 197/1138; BESANKO, John Henry; HIER, Lettice Gertrude; Burra. https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
4. ↑ The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Fri 6 Jan 1899. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29429724
5. ↑ GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. (1949, January 7). The Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved November 16, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110166114
6. ↑ Death Genealogy South Australia: Death. 1953; 796/2206; BESANKO, John Henry; Daly. https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
7. ↑ The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Mon 4 May 1953. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48277865

See also:

• Obituary: The Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954) Thu 21 May 1953 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110401442 (This obituary is quite long but a very interesting read especially early life in South Australia)