Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of Mr. A. E. Cluff. With feelings of the profoundest regret we have to record the death of a most estimable and highly respected young man in the person of Mr, Alfred Ernest Cluff, of Cullenbone. The late Mr. Cluff was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cluff, and passed away on Friday night last in the early morning of a life full of promise. He was only 22 years of age, and the whole of that period had been spent in the district which gave him birth and where his parents are so well and favorably known. Growing up amongst the residents of that place, his every action was submitted to the scrutiny of the whole populace, and so clean and honorable a life did he live as a son and neighbor that he was regarded as a youth and young man of whom Cullenbone had reason to be proud. There is little wonder then that his early demise created consternation, and a wave of sympathy for his many sorrowing relatives has swept over the Mudgee district. Mr. Cluff had not been feeling well for the last few weeks, but his sunny optimism caused him to pay but little heed to the matter. On Saturday week, however, he was forced to take to his bed and medical attendance was summoned. Even then no immediate danger was feared, although it was found that he was suffering with the deadly enteric On Friday night last his sister, Miss Alice Cluff, and his brother-in-law, Mr. J. Riley, were in attendance at his bedside and he appeared cheerful and on the high road to rapid recovery . He requested his sister to rearrange his pillow. Mr. Riley supported him while this was being done, but they were horror-struck to find that his spirit had passed to his Maker during the operation. What rendered his demise so exceptionally sad was that anticipating no immediate danger his relatives were absent at the time. The funeral took place on Sunday and was very largely attended, several Old Age Pensioners, as a mark of esteem for deceased, marching after the hearse. The public of Mudgee vied with one another in their efforts to press vehicles into the service of the Cluff family and seldom, if ever, in Mudgee was so much concern exhibited at the death of a man of such youthful years. The Right Rev. Monsignor O'Donovan conducted the service at the grave and both there and during the service of the Mass yesterday, made touching reference to the loss sustained by his parents, and passed a well merited eulogium on the deceased. The "Guardian" joins with Mr. and Mrs. Cluff's numerous friends in extending its deepest sympathy. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 9 December 1907, p. 2. Alfred Cluff Obituary

Sympathy with Alderman Cluff. The Mudgee Town Council on Monday night unanimously adopted, on the motion of Alderman Saunders, a motion of sympathy with Alderman Cluff, on the death of his brother, Mr. Eugene Cluff. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 26 May 1921, p. 11. Eugene Cluff Death

MRS. MARY CLUFF A link with the early history of the Mudgee district has been severed by the death of Mrs. Mary Cluff, which sad event occurred on Saturday afternoon, April 12. Deceased, who first saw the light in Sydney 85 years ago, came to this district when eight years of age, and lived at Merotherie for some time. In 1865 she was married in Mudgee, to Mr. John Cluff, who pre-deceased her by 20 years, and for a considerable period they resided at Tallewang. Upwards of 50 years ago the family moved on to Cullenbone, and there, as in other centres, deceased won the respect and love of her neighbors. About 12 years ago she came to reside in Mudgee, and almost up till the last she was bright and cheery. Although not given to ostentatious display, she delighted in the performance of charitable acts, and her memory will be held in reverence by very many right throughout the Mudgee district. Truly it can be said the late Mrs. Cluff was a lovable character, and Mudgee is the poorer by her passing. She is survived by the following sons and daughters, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended. John T. and William, Mudgee; James, Cooyal; Harry, Tamworth; Mrs. D. Howarth, Forest Lodge; Mrs. J. Riley, Mudgee; Mrs. D. Patman, Gulgamree; and Mrs. D. Patman, Brisbane. The funeral, which was well attended, took place to the Catholic portion of the Mudgee cemetery on Sunday, the Rev. Father Flanagan officiating at the graveside. Mr. J. C. Swords had charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday 16 April 1930, p. 11. Mary Cluff Obituary

Mrs. E. Riley Deep regret was expressed on all sides when it became known that Mrs. Riley (68), wife of Mr. John Riley, of Horatio street, Mudgee, had passed away in the local hospital on Tuesday. She was stricken with a sudden seizure, and death came shortly afterwards. Deceased, who had resided in the district practically all her life, was a kindly, charitable lady, and delighted in the performance of generous deeds. Many a sorely troubled soul in this town has cause to remember her charity, and they will cherish her memory while life lasts. She was a devoted wife and mother, and the blow to the sorrowing husband and family can be better imagined than described. They will find some consolation in the knowledge that their loved one was held in such universal esteem and that they have the sincere sympathy of the whole community. The Rev. A. G. Wood conducted an impressive service in the Presbyterian Church this afternoon, and also officiated at the graveside. Messrs J. C. Swords and Son conducted the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 11 August 1938, p. 1. Elizabeth Riley Obituary

Mainly About People MUDGEE DISTRICT PERSONALITIES Mrs. D. Howarth, a member of the pioneer Cluff family, of Mudgee, died at her home at Forest Lodge, Sydney, quite recently, aged 78 years. With her husband, who survives, she resided in this town for a great many years, and was well known to all the older folk. In addition to her aged husband, a daughter, Mary, is left to mourn. Brothers and sisters are Messrs. Jack (Mudgee), James and Bill (Sydney), Harry (Tamworth) , Mrs. Patman (Penrith) and Mrs. J. Birtles (Brisbane). Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday 10 January 1945, p. 2. Mary Howarth Obituary

Mainly About People MUDGEE DISTRICT PERSONALITIES The death occurred at Tamworth recently of Mr. Harry Cluff, a member of one of Mudgee's best known families. For many years, deceased conducted a thriving centre, but had to retire not so very long ago, owing to ill health. He was 68 years of age. A sorrowing widow, two sons and two daughters are left to mourn together with the following brothers and sisters: Jack (Mudgee), James (Hargraves), Bill (Croydon Park), Mrs. Patman (Penrith), and Mrs. Birtles (Brisbane). Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 29 January 1948, p. 2. Henry Cluff Obituary

DEATHS PATMAN, Lydia. - October 16, 1953, (suddenly), at her son's residence, Florabella Street, Warrimoo, dearly beloved wife of the late Walter Patman, of Mudgee, and loving mother of Harold (dec ), Allan (Warrimoo) and Vincent (dec ), mother-in-law of Beryl, Mona, and Fay (dec), grandma, of Bruce, Barry, Grahame, David, and Beth, aged 78 years Privately cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, October 17, 1953. Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 19 October 1953, p. 12. Lydia Patman Death

Mainly About People Mudgee District Personalities One of the keenest cricket enthusiasts in the district, a man who rarely missed a match at Victoria Park and who often kept his own score card so that he could follow the game more closely, passed away in the Mudgee hospital last night. He was Mr. John Thomas Cluff, member of a well known local family, who at the time of his demise was well into his 80s. As well as possessing a great fondness for cricket, deceased was a very keen churchman, and during his younger days was a member of many lodges and guilds connected with its working. He was highly respected by every class of the community, and his death is deeply deplored by a wide circle of friends. The funeral will take place at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday from St. Mary’s Church to the Catholic portion of the local cemetery, Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll being in charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 8 June 1959, p. 2. John Thomas Cluff Death