BENNING, Ludwig

Name – BENNING, Ludwig
Born – 1850
Died – 12/01/1941
Location – No 21 Methodist Section
Mother – Margaret Ellis
Father – Frederick George Benning

Notes – Ludwig was born in 1850 and was the son of Frederick and Margaret Benning of Hanover, Germany. He was apparently very adventurous as he left Germany when he was sixteen years of age to go and work for his uncle in Canada.

When he was twenty-two, he travelled to Australia where he was employed as the head gardener for a Judge in Victoria. Ludwig married Charlotte Stevens in 1889. The couple had five children, Arthur Rudolph, Isabella Edith Mary, Frederick George, Stanely Vaughn and George Frederick Ludwig. Ludwig is recorded on the following rates notices 1891-1903 at 97 Willsmere Rd, Kew.

Ludwig worked as a dairyman and it was here that his love affair with Ayrshire cattle began. He bought his cattle to the district when the family moved to Tara in 1910. The rolls have Ludwig here from 1913 to 1941 South Glen, Tara.

The Benning property was named Helmstead. By 1923, he and his son decided sheep breeding was a better way to make money, and they ventured into sheep grazing. Ludwig built up a great reputation of having knowledge of soils and gardening and the proof of this could be seen with the great orchard at his home.

Newspaper articles show he was a well-respected member of the local community. The inscription on his headstone reads – In loving memory of Ludwig Benning. A pioneer of this district Died Jan 12th 1941. Aged 90 years.

Newspaper Article – Click Here

War Service File  –

Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.