Julia Maria (Stephens) Holder (1856 - 1941)

Born 6 Jul 1856 in Munno Para East, South Australia, Australia

Wife of Frederick William Holder KCMG — married 29 Mar 1877 in Kooringa, South Australia, Australia

Died 19 May 1941 at age 84 in St Peters, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

Julia (Stephens) Holder was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

Julia Maria Stephens was born on 6 July 1856 At Munno Para East in South Australia. She was the daughter of John R Stephens and Eliza Sims.^[1]

Julia married Frederick William Holder on 29 March 1877 at her father's residence at Kooringa, South Australia. Frederick was recorded as 26, son of James Morcott Holder and Julia was 20, daughter of John Ricards Stephens, both single.^[2]

They had a total of nine children:^[3]

• Ethel Ruby Holder, 7 October 1878, married Arthur Hartley Harry 7 July 1908
• Rhoda Sims Holder, 7 April 1880 - 10 June 1925
• Frederick Stevens Holder, 29 March 1882
• Winifred Breakspeare Holder, 14 April 1886
• Evan Morecott Holder, 2 February 1888
• Sydney Ernest Holder, 22 February 1890 - 9 February 1953
• Ruth Eliza Holder, 23 June 1892 - 14 November 1894
• Ida Margaret Holder, 24 December 1894 - 20 March 1958
• Clement Gladstone Holder, 16 September 1898

During the marriage, Frederick was elected to the Colonial South Australian parliament in 1887. He was premier twice and left that role to become one of the members of the inaugural Australian House of Assembly. He became the frst speaker of thouse, and remained in that role for the rest of his life. He died following a cerebral haemorrhage while the house was sitting in Melbourne in 1909.

NEWS RECEIVED IN ADELAIDE.
The news early on Friday morning that Sir Frederick Holder. K.C.M.G.. Speaker of the House of Representatives, had had an apoplectic seizure in the House was received with much regret throughout the city. The news of his death published in the 5 o'clock edition of The Evening Journal created a profound sensation. His Excellency the Governor and the Premier were informed of the sad occurrence bv telephone from The Register Office, and the Mayor of Ade laide having been informed, the Town Hall bells were tolled. Although it was known to his intimate friends that Sir Frederick had been considerably worried lately owing to the temper of the House and the difficulty to maintain order, the news of his sudden illness came as a great surprise and shock, for in general appearances the Federal Speaker had been looking remarkably well during the last few weeks^[4]
LADY HOLDER.
Lady Holder, on hearing the critical news from Melbourne, at once decided to leave by the afternoon's express, so that she could be with Sir Frederick in his illness. She had taken her seat in the railway carriage, but shortly before the departure of the train the sad tidings that Sir Frederick had passed away was conveyed to her. l.ady Holder left the train and was driven in a cab back to her residence, Wavertree, Kent Town, escorted by the Rev. Brian Wibberley. Mr. Sydney Holder (son) and Mr. A. H. Harry (son-in-law) proceeded to Melbourne by the express. ^[5]
SYMPATHY FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Immediately on receipt of the sad news the Premier (Hon. A. H. Peake) sent the following telegram to Lady Holder:—"On behalf of the Government and people of South Australia, I desire to convey their expression of the deepest sympathy with you and your family in your sad bereavement. The death of Sir Frederick will be a distinct loss to the State and Commonwealth to which he has rendered such eminent services for a lengthened period."^[6]

- The Evening Journal, Saturday 24 July 1909

Julia Holder died on 19 May 1941 as an 84-year-old widow who lived at St Peters (an eastern suburb of Adelaide).^[7]

OBITUARY
LADY HOLDER, OF ADELAIDE
The death is reported from Adelaide of Lady Holder, widow of Sir Frederick Holder, K.C.M.G., at one time Premier of South Australia and the first Speaker of the House of Representatives. Lady Holder in her earlier years was president of many public bodies in Adelaide. She was an ardent supporter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and some years ago as Australian president she attended the world conferences in America and England. She is survived by four sons and three daughters, the eldest of whom is Mrs. A. H. Harry, of Haig-street. Mowbray.

Launceston Examiner, 20 May 1941^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: South Australia, Australia Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages: Births: Surname: STEPHENS Given Names: Julia Maria Date of Birth: 06-Jul-1856 Gender: F Father: John R STEPHENS Mother: Eliza SIMS Birth Residence: Munno Para East District: Port Gawler Book/Page: 8/292
2. ↑ Marriage: South Australia, Australia Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages: Marriages: Groom Surname: HOLDER Groom Given Names: Frederick William Bride Surname: STEPHENS Bride Given Names: Julia Maria Marriage Date: 29-Mar-1877 Marriage Place: Res of Dr Stephens Kooringa Groom Age: 26 Groom Marital Status: S Groom Father: James Morcott HOLDER Bride Age: 20 Bride Marital Status: S Bride Father: John Ricards STEPHENS District: Burra Book/Page: 110/1091
3. ↑ Search results - urname Holder, mother Julia, accessed 10 April 2022 via Genealogy SA
4. ↑ NEWS RECEIVED IN ADELAIDE. (1909, July 24). Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203441701
5. ↑ LADY HOLDER. (1909, July 24). Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203441700
6. ↑ SYMPATHY FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA. (1909, July 24). Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203441699
7. ↑ Death: South Australia, Australia Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages: Deaths: Surname: HOLDER First Names: Julia Maria Death Date: 19-May-1941 Age: 84 Gender: F Marital Status: W Place of Death: St Peters Residence: St Peters Relative: Frederick William HOLDER [DH] District: Norwood Book/Page: 636/2163
8. ↑ OBITUARY (1941, May 20). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 6 (LATE NEWS EDITION). Retrieved April 10, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52417412
9. ↑ Grave record for Lady Julia Maria Holder (6 Jul 1856 - 19 May 1941), BillionGraves Record 21656637 Adelaide, Adelaide City Council, South Australia, Australia