Biography

The deceased had been suffering from Rheumatic Fever and the subsequent heart condition for over 7 months before his death. He had spent his first 30 years living in Victoria before moving to Western Australia.

Battista John De Piazza senior was born 4 August 1846 at Grosotto, Sondrio, Lombardia, Italy. He was a farmer and migrated to Melbourne on 13 March 1864 on the "S.M.Vittorio", accompanied by 2 cousins, Trinca and Robastelli. They walked from Melbourne to Wandiligong where they worked in the gold mines. He married Catherine O'Brien 11 October 1870 in Beechworth, Victoria (Marriage Registration 3931/1870). She was born in 1852 at Forest Creek, Mt Alexander, Victoria, and worked as a servant prior to her marriage. The couple proceeded to grow their family of 14 children between the years of 1870 and 1898. There were 8 girls and 6 boys, of which Baptista was the second eldest.

Battista senior died two years after his son, on 10 September 1908 at Myrtleford, Victoria, from influenza, leaving a wife and 11 children. His wife died 23 October 1939 at Orange Grove, Mudgegonga, Victoria.