Wedding Bells.
On the 7th inst., an interesting and unique wedding took place at the Church of Christ, Doncaster, when Mr W. J. Lacey was united to Miss Edith Zelius. Mr Lacey is a nephew of Mr and Mrs James Gill, of Box Hill, being related on both sides. His father was an old resident of Templestowe, and was well-known in the district. He moved years ago, however, to West Australia, so that the bridegroom considers himself a Westralian. The Zelius family are old and highly-respected residents of Doncaster. The chapel was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and a triumphal arch was erected over the gateway. The ceremony, which was an impressive one, was performed by Mr F. W. Greenwood, evangelist of the church. Mr Cassidy presided at the organ, rendering the "Wedding March" in an efficient manner. Mr Bert. Gill, cousin of the bridegroom, acted as groomsman, while Misses Alice and Ruby Zelius, sisters of the bride, and Misses Laura and Ruby Embley, daughters of Dr Embley, of Melbourne, acted as bridesmaids. The bride looked at her best in a dress of rich white silk, trimmed with a pretty contrast of lace. The bridesmaids also wore white silk, and carried white and pink bouquets, and were adorned with gold brooches richly set with pearls, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride's present was a handsome gold watch and chain. At the conclusion of the ceremony the happy couple drove off to the home of the bride's parents, in a carriage and pair. All day long the cabs of Box Hill, which were hired for the day, were busy driving over the guests as they arrived by train from town and other places. The guests, 80 in number, sat down to a bounteous wedding breakfast, which was provided at the residence of the bride's parents. The usual toasts were proposed and duly honored, but only "soft" drinks were used, as all concerned were total abstainers, as in fact were the whole of the guests. The bride has been a member of the Church of Christ at Doncaster for some years, and the groom is a member of the same church in W.A. The happy couple left the same night for Queenscliff for a short honeymoon, and sailed on the 14th for their home in W.A. During the two or three months that Mr Lacey has been in Box Hill he has won the favor of the tradespeople and others by his open-handed dealings, and as he has good business prospects in the West, it is hoped that with his religious and benevolent principles he will do good work for his fellow men. He will be ably seconded by his wife in every good work. This paper wishes them a long and useful life.1903 'Wedding Bells.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 16 January, p. 2. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90320213
A forgotten pioneer of Doncaster
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On a warm summer day visitors to the Schramm’s Cottage Historic Complex enjoy sitting on the garden seat in the shade of the Elm tree admiring the colourful plants growing in the garden. This seat was given to the Society new in 2010 by the great granddaughter of Martin Zelius and was manufactured by the Furphy Foundry in Shepparton who also made the famous water carts many years ago. A plague on the seat reads “In Memory of the Zelius Family, Early Pioneers of Doncaster.”
Visitors often ask about the Zelius family as the name is not widely known. No road, park or buildings are named after the Zelius family in Manningham unlike the many other pioneer family names that have been remembered in this way. An article by the late Irvine Green was published in the Society’s Newsletter in 1972 about “Plassy” the house built by Martin Zelius in 1888 and a similar article was included in the book “Doncaster a Short History” published by our Society in 1994. Extensive research has been recently undertaken by several of our members with the results now filed away in our amazing archive collection.
Martin Zelius was born in the year 1837. At the age of 14 years in Norway he joined a merchant sailing ship as a seaman and his first voyage was to Australia. On arrival in Melbourne the ship’s crew deserted to join the gold rush leaving Martin Zelius stranded with no money and little knowledge of the English language. He was resourceful and got a job as a kitchen hand washing dishes in a restaurant in William Street, Melbourne. Years later he became the owner of the business and in 1869 held the 15 year lease on the property at 175 pounds per annum. The business was known as the Western Dining Rooms and Boarding House at 4 & 5 William Street.
He had built up the business and during the Royal visit to Melbourne by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1867 Martin invited the poor and homeless people of Melbourne for a free meal in his restaurant.
Martin became an active member of the Church of Christ in Melbourne and was married in 1861 to Euphemia McEwan but unfortunately Euphemia died in February 1867 aged 34 years. There were no children from this marriage. Later in 1867 Martin married Eliza Furness and they had 4 sons and 8 daughters.
Martin bought the famous coastal steam ship “Lady of the Lake” and traded along the Gippsland coast and Melbourne. He sold his restaurant business, built a house in Bairnsdale and moved there with his family in the late 1870’s. In 1888 he sold the family home and the ship “Lady of the Lake” before trade slackened off as a result of the railway coming. He then bought land in Doncaster and built brick stables with a high pitched roof where the family lived whilst their house was constructed. The house was named “Plassy” and quickly became known as the most elegant house in Doncaster with its wide verandah trimmed with iron lace. Martin established an orchard adjoining “Plassy” achieving another successful business.
Martin and his family became members of the Church of Christ in Doncaster and he was a Deacon of the Church during its 40th Anniversary in 1903. Several of their daughters were married at the church. Martin died at his home “Plassy” Main Road, Doncaster on 27th December 1908, the following day a horse drawn hearse and funeral procession left his home for interment in Melbourne General Cemetery.
Eliza Zelius continued to live at Plassy until her death in 1932. The 4 sons of Martin and Eliza Zelius all operated orchards of 36 acres in Doncaster Road, 21 acres and 10 acres in Leeds Street, 37 acres in Blackburn Road and in Woodhouse Grove, Box Hill. Two daughters went to New Zealand and married there. Others married and moved away from Doncaster. The family became scattered and their properties sold during the 1960’s for residential development. The family home remained although the stables were demolished in the early 1960’s and the house “Plassy” sold.
The house is still a private home today hidden behind a high brick wall only identified as 891 Doncaster Road. It is the only 19th century house on Doncaster Road and was built by a “Forgotten Pioneer of Doncaster”.
Source: John Boylett writing in 2019-12 DTHS Newsletter
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