Here begins the story of German immigrants to Australia in 1873 who by 2015 had 518 direct descendants in 8 generations.
Anton Bibo (age 45 as recorded) and Rosina Trenek (age 29) arrived in Australia at Melbourne on the Great Britain in May 1873, with their 3 children, Katherine (age 6), Anton (age 3) and Christina (age 1).
Anton was born in Nassau, Rheinland-Pfalz in 1825 if his death certificate is accurate and not in 1828 as suggested by his age on arrival. The birth years for the rest of his family, 1845 for Rosina and 1867, 1870 and 1871 for their children appear consistent with other records. Katherine is known to have been born in Mainz, Germany.
Four more children were born in Australia to Anton and Rosina, Mary in 1874, Elizabeth in 1877, Augustine in 1879 and John in 1881. Mary and Elizabeth were both born in Grafton, Augustine probably Grafton and John in Lismore.
While working as a vinedresser and farmer in Grafton, Anton was naturalised on 13 January 1876, giving his age as 39 (born 1836). Sometime after moving to Lismore, Anton applied for a wine licence for a house on the Casino Road in October 1882.
Antonio Bibo (sic) applied for a Wine License for a house on the Casino Road, but on account of the house being supposed to be over 100 yards from the road, and the applicant stating that he intended to erect a new building for the sale of the same, the application was postponed for a month, on the approval of the District Inspector. Mr. Allingham for the applicant.
“Lismore Licensing Court.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 7 October 1882: 3. Web. 1 Oct 2016 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71834129>
A wine license was granted to Anton in 1885.
Lismore Licensing Court. The application of Antonio Bibo (sic), for a Colonial Wine License for a house situated on the Casino road was granted.
“Lismore Licensing Court.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 25 July 1885: 2. Web. 1 Oct 2016 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71711024>
Research by the Richmond River Historical Society (Inc.) reports that a rates notice shows he owned a house on the Casino Road in 1887, which subsequently passed to John by 1908-10, although the family believes this house was never owned by Anton, citing a rent receipt paid to Henry Tozer as evidence.
In modern Lismore the Bruxner Highway, named in 1959, is the road from Lismore to Casino, and was known as the Casino Road in the 1880s. This is confirmed by Anton’s notice of an application for a wine license published in July 1885.
I ANTON BIBO, of Casino Road, do hereby give notice that I desire to obtain, and will, at the Quarterly Licensing Court to be holden at Lismore, on the 22nd day of July, 1885, apply for a certificate authorising the issue of a Colonial Wine License, for a house situate in the parish of South Lismore, on the main road from Lismore to Casino, and of the annual value of £15. Dated at Lismore, this 25th day of J[u]ne, 1885. ANTON BIBO.
“Advertising.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 22 July 1885: 3. Web. 1 Oct 2016
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71711013>
Antons first application for a wine license in 1882 may not have been successful. In November 1883 he appeared in the small debts court.
Lismore Small Debts Court. At a sittings on the 7th Instant, before the Police Magistrate, and J. Stocks and J. Barrie, Esqs. J.P., the following cases were heard, [extract] E. W. Allingham v. A. Bibo-Claim £2 2s. ; verdict for plaintiff.
“The Northern Star.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 14 November 1883: 2. Web. 1 Oct 2016 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71706916>
Owing money suggests a degree of poverty or financial difficulty. This seems affirmed by the following report on the death of Rosina one month later in December 1883 aged 38 years.
“[extract] I am sorry to have to record the death of Mrs. Bibo, a German resident of South Lismore, who was much respected in Lismore for her industrious habits; she was the sole provider for six in family. I am giving to under stand that death was caused by bad water and sunstroke, I am exceedingly sorry to say that she died in a very in a very bad state of poverty there was not one shilling in the house at the time of death, so the husband of the deceased affirms, and scarcely anything to eat. So in the mean time, the acts of mercy was carried out by Mrs. Curtin and Mrs. Maher; and also, too much praise cannot be given to the energetic manner of Messrs. John Welsh and John Maher, who started at 6 oclock of the morning of the deceaseds death, to gather funds to inter the remains of the deceased to her last resting place. The alms was kindly responded to by the inhabitants of Lismore, in small sums, amounting to £15, which interred the poor creature respectfully, and left a balance in hands of the said gentlemen who is to use it for the good of the family by the instructions of the Rev. Dean Doyle.
“South Lismore.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 26 January 1884: 2. Web. 1 Oct 2016
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71707378>
How Rosina becomes the sole provider for six in family when she has seven children and a husband is not certain. The names of her children are not listed on Rosina’s death certificate, which only records 3 males, 4 females, living.
Rosina is almost certainly buried in North Lismore cemetery, yet no grave or plaque exists. She was buried by Rev. Dean Doyle who later became Bishop of Lismore and this apparently means she would have been buried in the main cemetery of the time — North Lismore. Her death certificate records only Lismore.
By 1889 Anton was selling good grapes.
GOOD GRAPES sold by A. Bibo, South Lismore Casino Road, at low prices.
“Dunoon.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 26 January 1889: 2. Web. 1 Oct 2016
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71712192>
In November 1901 at 76 years of age Anton was receiving an old age pension of £22, which increased to £26 by August 1902 (approximately $3,500 in 2016 prices). Anton paid £1400 in rent to Henry Tozer for the house and vineyard on the Casino Road for occupancy during 1902.
Anton Bibo aged 88 years died in Lismore on 5 September 1913, survived by his children Katherine (age 45 or 46), Anton (age 42 or 43), Christina (dec.), Mary (age 37 or 38), Elizabeth (age 35 or 36), Augustine (age 33 or 34), John (age 31). He was buried the following day and the plaque can be found at the Barham Street Cemetary, Lismore.
ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES
There were few of the old settlers between here and Tuncester better known than Anton Bibo, a viticulturist and manufacturer of wine, born in the Mayence district on the Rhine about the year 1825, he came out to Australia in 1872, and for the first eight years of colonial life he lived at Grafton. Then he came over to the Richmond, took up land at Tuncester, built a home there, and lived in it to the day of his death. In the second year after coming here he had the misfortune to lose his wife, she leaving him with four girls and three boys, of whom six are living at the present time. These are Mrs. Dillon (Tuncester), Mrs. OKeefe (Hanging Rock), Mrs. J. White (Lismore), Mr. Jas Bibo (Brisbane), all married, and Mr. John Bibo (Tuncester), unmarried. Another son left Australia ten years ago. The deceased had a paralytic shock in 1910, and another twelve months ago since then, until this instant, when he expired suddenly as the result of a third stroke, he was confined to his bed, being most devotedly looked after by his son John. In addition to the above offspring, eight grandchildren survive the deceased, who was a man of a quiet disposition, greatly respected throughout the district.
“ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES.” Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 1954) 20 September 1913: 8. Web. 1 Oct 2016 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72336882>