Alexander Prosser
From “Cyclopedia of Western Australia – 1912”
Alexander Prosser was a farmer at “Happy Valley” Farm, Marracoonda. He was a son of Mr. Aaron Prosser, of the Foster district of South Australia, and was born at Mount Barker, in that State, on February 17, 1869. He was educated at Foster and at the Gum Gully State School having left at fifteen years of age to became engaged in duties on his father’s farm.
Alexander Prosser
“Happy Valley” Marracoonda
(Photo: H.C. Biltoft – Katanning)
Having gained considerable experience in agriculture, he came to Western Australia in 1892 and, upon arrival, came direct to Marracoonda, where he selected from the Government the land on which his homestead stood. He had, on various occasions, acquired additional property and held nearly 4,000 acres, where he carried on mixed farming pursuits. Nearly 1,000 acres were cleared for cultivation purposes by 1912, and about 1,000 sheep were run on the “Happy Valley” Farm, all of the favourite merino type. Mr. Prosser also bred his own horses, in addition raising a few for the market.
In 1912, he had served as a member of the local roads board for over fourteen years. He always displayed an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the district and every movement for its advancement received his cordial support. He was a member of the Great Southern Agricultural and Pastoral Society and, among Friendly Societies, was connected with the Rechabite Order, in which he took a keen interest.
In his younger days Mr. Prosser was a keen participant in the game of cricket, but later spent his leisure in diversions among the members of his family. In 1895, he married Anna Christina, daughter of Mr. E. R. Beeck, of Katanning, and had two sons and four daughters.
OBITUARY
Great Southern Herald
23 October, 1943
Alexander Prosser
Late Alexander Prosser
The death at Coleraine Private Hospital on October 13 after a lengthy period of failing health, of Alexander Prosser, of ‘Happy Valley‘ Marracoonda, has robbed the district of not only a pioneer, but of a man of outstanding personality.
A South Australian by birth, he migrated to this State with the Beeck family in l892 and shortly after selected land at Marracoonda, which he developed and added to as the years passed, until he built it into the main property he so aptly named ‘Happy Valley’.
As soon as he had a home of his own, he married Anna, daughter of Mr. E. R. Beeck, and gave evidence of his interest in the district he had adopted by becoming a member of the Katanning Road Board. This was in 1894, and had he been spared until April 1944, he would have served for 50 years continuously on that body, ten years as its chairman.
1929 Katanning Road Board Members:
Front: C.R. Harris, A.F. Watts (deputy chairman), Alex Prosser (chairman), W.J Rogers, and J.F. Haddleton.
Back: I. Synnott, F.J.P. Noonan, H.V. Buckley (secretary), D. B. Burnside, C. Garstone, A.E. Piesse, S. Kemble, F.M Bowden, and A.V. McDougall.
He played a noteworthy part throughout his life not; only in civic developments, but also in all matters pertaining to the Baptist community, of which he was a leading member. He assisted very materially in the establishment of the BAPTIST CHURCH, Katanning, in 1898, after giving the land on which the Marracoonda Baptist Church stands and assisting in the erection of the building. In recognition of his services with the Baptist community he was elected State President of the Baptist Church in 1939, holding that high office for the term of 12 months.
He also was president of the Great Southern Baptist Men’s Association, a position he held for nine years. He was a foundation member of the Farmers and Settlers’ Association, afterwards the Primary Producers’ Association, and for many years held executive position in that body, his advice in matters concerning rural development and improvement being highly regarded.
He had the true pioneering spirit and spent his life happily in developing a fine property and in assisting in the general advancement of the district. In his own home he was an exemplary husband and father, and was loved and revered by his family. He leaves a Widow and five children to mourn his loss.
The burial took place on October 15 in the Baptist portion of the Katanning Cemetery, the Rev. J. Wilson Brown officiating at the grave side, when the large and representative gathering gave sincere evidence of the esteem in which he was held throughout the district.
Funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. J. Squiers, of Katanning, pall bearers being Messrs. S. H. Dale (representing the Katanning Baptist Community); O. B. Beeck (Marracoonda Baptist Community); A. R. Garstone (Katanning Agricultural and Pastoral Society); Ashton Hunter (Katanning Flour Mills Ltd.); G. L. Jeffries (Cartmeticup Baptist Community); F. M. Bowden (chairman of the Katanning Road Board).