Jacob Scherer (abt. 1850 - 1892)

Born about 1850 in Hamburg, Germany

Husband of Jane Charlotte (Reeves) Scherer — married 16 Feb 1882 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Died 12 Jan 1892 at about age 42 in Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Biography

Jacob was the son of Matthais Scherer and the brother of Joseph Scherer <Scherer-1856>.

Jacob, aged 32, married Jane Charlotte Reeves on 16 Feb 1882 at Trinity Church Adelaide.

Jacob was a ship's captain, well known in the coastal shipping trade. He was accidentally drowned in the Port River on 12 Jan 1892.

DROWNED AT PORT ADELAIDE. Jacob Scherer, master of the ketch Enterprise, was drowned at Port Adelaide yesterday. He had paid a visit to the steamer James COmrie, and went over the side of that vessel to reach his dinghy. Nothing more was seen of him, but some minutes after the dinghy was noticed drifting away, and the captain's hat was seen floating on the water. On the police dragging the spot, the body was recovered a short distance from where he would have got into the boat. The Age Melbourne, Vic. Fri 15 Jan 1892 Page 6 ^[1]

An inquest into his death held at the Port Admiral Hotel, Port Adelaide on Friday, Jan 15, threw additional light upon the circumstances attending the death of Jacob Scherer, master of the ketch Enterprise, who was drowned in the Port River on Wednesday afternoon. Joseph Scherer, the brother of the deceased, said deceased could not swim. He was not disposed to fits or sickness, and was of a temperate disposition. John Henderson, master of the steamer James Comrie, said on Wednesday afternoon, while his vessel was lying at Maclaren wharf, the deceased came on board from the shore. He spoke as he passed, unfastened the rope which attached a dinghy to the steamer, and then climbed over the side as though he intended to go into the dinghy. Witness being engaged in a conversation with a gentleman on the wharf did not notice anything further until three or four minutes afterwards, when he say the dinghy floating adrift without occupant. Thinking Scherer was in the cabin he called out loudly - "Scherer, Scherer, your boat is adrift." The call brought out the steward who said Scherer was not on board. Witness then looked over the side again and this time noticed a hat floating near the dinghy. He gave an alarm fearing that the deceased must have fallen into the water, but could not see the body. A boat from the schooner Alto which was lying alongside, was manned at once and the river was dragged, but without success. While the dragging was proceeding, he sent the chief mate to warn the police. Half an hour afterwards the body was recovered by the use of life-saving appliances. As there was a quantity of water in the boat when it was recovered he concluded that the deceased in getting over the side must have stepped on the edge of the dinghy causing it to cant over and throw him into the water. Constable Robertson said having been informed that Scherer had fallen into the water he used the drags, and after about 20 minutes brought the body to the surface. He had made enquiries, but although a large number of peal were moving about the wharf at the time the disaster occurred no-one saw the deceased fall into the water. The jury without retiring brought a verdict of accidental death. South Australian Chronicle Adelaide SA Sat 23 Jan 1892 page 5 5^[2] Jacob was interred at Woodville Cemetery on 15 Jan 1892. FUNERAL NOTICE Evening Journal Adelaide, SA Fri 15 Jan 1892 Page 2 Family Notices. ^[3][4]

Sources

1. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197003128?searchTerm=Scherer
2. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91545001?searchTerm=Scherer
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204469217?searchTerm=%22Jacob%20Scherer%22
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154083060/jacob-scherer

• Death Citation

SA BDM (Secondary evidence) Page: 199 413 Text: Given Name(s): Jacob Last Name: SHERER Death Date: 18 Jan 1892 Gender: M Age: 42y Approx. Birth Year: 1850 Marital Status: N Relative 1: Relative 2: Residence: Birkenhead Death Place: Port River District: Port Adelaide Symbol: S Book/Page: 199/413

• Marriage (m. REEVES, Charlotte Jane) Citation

SA BDM (Secondary evidence) Page: Ade 130/731 Text: Groom Given Name(s): Jacob Groom Last Name: SCHERER Bride Given Name(s): Jane Charlotte Bride Last Name: REEVES Marriage Date: 1882, February 16 Marriage Place: Trinity Church [Adelaide] Groom Age: 32 Groom Approx. Birth Year: 1850 Groom Marital Status: S Groom Father: Mattheas SCHERER Bride Age: 20 Bride Approx. Birth Year: 1862 Bride Marital Status: S Bride Father Name: Augustus REEVES District: Adelaide Symbol: Book/Page: 130/731