John Christopher Ruschmeyer arrived in Melbourne aged 26 aboard the 'Essex' from Hanover, Germany via London in 1864. Shortly after his arrival in Australia he travelled to the Bendigo diggings. He became one of many thousands of German diggers on the Central Victorian Goldfields. He married Elizabeth Little Shepherd (Morrison) in 1874, a widow who had travelled down from Brisbane after the death of her first husband (John Shepherd). He became a naturalized citizen in 1893. Shortly after his marriage and having mined Golden Gully for some years he turned to hotel keeping and was the licensee of the Town and Country Hotel in Woodward Road, Golden Gully up until his death in 1911. The family of 4 daughters and 3 sons survived him. The family of Ernest, Maude, Christopher, Ethel and Edith (twins), Charles and Dolly Ruschmeyer all lived in the Bendigo area. His sons continued working in the mining tradition. He is buried with his wife in the Bendigo Cemetery. After his death Elizabeth moved to Thistle St until her death in 1922. Christopher Ruschmeyer and his family lived in a small house (now part of a poultry farm) in Woodwood road opposite the TOWN AND COUNTRY HOTEL. A brother Ernest Walter Ruschmeyer lived in a house next to the hotel. Ernest built the house. After Ernest's death in 1927 another brother Charles Hex Ruschmeyer married Ernest's wife Gertrude. The hotel was first licensed in 1898 and closed in 1916. John Ruschmeyer was the licensee until his death in 1911. Elizabeth took over the license until 1912 when it was sold to a Catherine E Hoffaer. This information is provided by Neil Graham of Strathfieldsaye whose Grandfather on his Mother's side was John Ruschmeyer and John Christopher Ruschmeyer was his Great Grandfather.Digital image: image shows Town and Country Hotel, Diamond Hill. Ruschmeyer's were the publicans. Standing outside hotel, were from left, Ethel, Dolly, Maude, Edith, Elizabeth.person, family, ruschmeyer, john christopher ruschmeyer, town and country hotel, ruschmeyer, diamond hill bendigo

Digital image : group photo of Ruschmeyer family. Image shows, back row, Ethel Jane, Edith Mary, Ernest Walter, Maude Varolin, Christopher John. Front row : Charles Hex, Elizabeth Little, Dolly Elizabeth, John Christopherperson, family, john christopher ruschmeyer, ruschmeyer, town and country hotel, diamond hill

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Thursday, January 6, 2005. Reunion: Back row: Edith, Ethel, Ernest, Carolyn Maude and Christopher. Front: Charlie, Elizabeth, Dolly and John Christopher. All descendants of John Christopher and Elizabeth Ruschmeyer are invited to a reunion.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Coloured photograph of the Golden Square Primary School year 3-4/W 1999 class and their teacher. Children are wearing school uniform. Their names are: Back Row, L to R: Mr John Wakker (Teacher), Christopher Tout, Kate Hewett, Kyla Melville, Teika Larkins, Samantha Wynne, Garon Freeman, Jade Plane, Eleah Hardwick, Cory Lane, Jenny Mann. Middle Row, L to R: Ryley Flint, Cameron MacLeman, Adam Monti, Brock Lancaster, Michael Garner, Zach Sawyer, Rhiannon Brown, Emma Allen, Philip McLean, Dylan Holliday. Front Row, L to R: Jessika Ruschmeyer, Scott Owen, James Logan, Claire Hudson, Jessie Higgins, Karra Bourke, Alex Stewart, Scott Ricardo, Hannah Apps.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - photograph - golden square primary school year 3-4/w 1999, mr john wakker (teacher), christopher tout, kate hewett, kyla melville, teika larkins, samantha wynne, garon freeman, jade plane, eleah hardwick, cory lane, jenny mann, ryley flint, cameron macleman, adam monti, brock lancaster, michael garner, zach sawyer, rhiannon brown, emma allen, philip mclean, dylan holliday, jessika ruschmeyer, scott owen, james logan, claire hudson, jessie higgins, karra bourke, alex stewart, scott ricardo, hannah apps