Person:Carl Leyonhjelm (1)

Carl (known as Charles) was the second son of Baron Erik Christofer Leijonhielm and Maria Ulrika Wilhelmina Von Platen. He was born in 1853 in Sweden; he had an older sister Lilly and an older brother Eric. He was educated in farming both in practice and theory. He was employed as a farm inspector on different farms in Ostergotland, a region south of Stockholm. He was an able farmer and a good judge of cattle and horses.

In 1877 he became engaged to Gerda Key-Aberg and his father-in-law to be lent him money to finance his future. All went well in the first year but then it became obvious he had over-reached himself and had run into debt beyond the possibility of re-payment. Everything was sold up, the engagement was off and Charles was penniless.

He was unable to find work, so his family decided to send him away to start again. In 1879 he left Sweden for Australia. After much hardship (see letter) Charles met and married Maria Stasinowsky in 1882. Charles said that Maria was lovelier than all the ladies in the King of Sweden's courts.

Charles was known around the district for his judge of horseflesh. He had little money but he drove the best pair of horses when he came to Hamilton. Charles died in 1922 aged 69 after suffering from a brain condition and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Hamilton South.

1. ↑ Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Death Index, Victoria 1921-1985
   Reg No. 4983, 1922.
2. ↑ Lutheran Cemetery, in Ian Marr. Cemeteries of South West Victoria - DVD. (Marrtronics)
   Index No. 464.
3. ↑ Birth, in Verbal Knowledge.

   From family notes