THE ROGGENKAMPS
In 1862, German-born brothers, Christopher and 'Henry' (Heinrich Otto) Roggenkamp, arrived in Warwick and, the following year, opened a photographic studio in Albion St. They were joined shortly afterwards by their brother, Martin. Christopher eventually became the outright owner of the Warwick business and named it Victoria Studios, while Martin moved to Toowoomba and started his own studio in Ruthven Street.For over 50 years, the brothers created an exceptional pictorial record of people and places on the Darling Downs. The State Library of Queensland collection holds 57 digitised Roggenkamp images, including many family photographs.
Christopher Roggenkamp married Danish-born Anna Nielsen in April 1875 and they had nine children between 1876 and 1893, two of whom died while young.
When Anna died in February 1906, the following obituary appeared in the Warwick Examiner and Times.
When Christopher died on 18 February 1918, the obituary below was published in the Toowoomba Chronicle the following day.
Christopher Roggenkamp
A young Anna Nielsen (date unknown). (Photograph from Michael Roggenkamp)
Anna Roggenkamp and six of her children in 1904. (Photograph from Michael Roggenkamp)
L-R (standing): Dagmar, Heinrich, Alma and Oswald; (seated): Carl, Anna and Norman
Four of the children of Christopher Roggenkamp and Anna Nielsen in 1907.
L-R (seated): Norman, Alma and Carl; (standing): Heinrich (known as Henry/ Harry).
When Christopher died on 18 February 1918, the obituary below was published in the Toowoomba Chronicle the following day.
In August the following year, Christopher's "rattling good little paddock" in Canning St (see map below) was auctioned, as well as the contents of the Studio in Albion St.
Martin Roggenkamp had operated a photography business in the Hunter region of NSW several years before moving to Warwick to join his brothers.
Martin married Mary Price in 1863 and they had seven children between 1864 and 1877. He was a much loved resident of Toowoomba for some 40 years until his death in December 1912 - the first of the three brothers to die. After his death, two of his sons became embroiled in a bitter court case against a third son who was the only one mentioned in the will.
'Henry' (Otto Heinrich) Roggenkamp married Catherine Theege in August 1865 and the couple had two children (1866 and 1868).
Otto Heinrich Roggenkamp c. 1882
(State Library of Queensland collection. Reference: 6541 Roggenkamp Family Photograph Album)
Otto died in Brisbane in August 1919 and is buried in Toowong Cemetery.
