A tinsmith and plumber by trade from southern Germany, colourful Glen Innes identity Valentine Sachs, a veteran of the Franco-German war, migrated to Australia in the early 1880s.
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He owned land in the parishes of Glen Innes, Kingsgate, Seeley and Stonehenge and although keenly interested in mineral-bearing land, he also registered a stock brand and in July 1883 advertised for a team of bullocks to break up land on the Beardy.
Trout were released by him into the Mann River 1891 - he had an interest in several mines in this area.
In 1909, he applied for a patent for an “Improved Magnetic Separator for Minerals”.
Presiding as mayor of the Glen Innes Municipal Council in 1893 (the year the gasworks were opened), he served as an alderman for more than 20 years .
As Mr Speckhardt will have the benefit of my experience and advice I can assure the constituents that they can rely on nothing but first class workmanship...
The firm of Sachs, Janitzky and Federer operated the Standard Soap Works in Grey Street and were successful with their products in Chicago, winning first prize for their eucalyptus soap in 1893 and a certificate at the Chicago World Fair in 1896.
In 1893, he sold his plumbing business to F. L. Speckhardt.
The Glen Innes Examiner of June 13, 1893 announced: “I beg to inform the inhabitants of Glen Innes and surrounding districts that this day I have transferred my plumbing and tin smithing business to my stepson F. L. Speckhardt and while thanking my numerous patrons for the support extended to me during the last 15 years, I would solicit a continuance of their favours to my successor.
“As Mr Speckhardt will have the benefit of my experience and advice I can assure the constituents that they can rely on nothing but first class workmanship being executed.
“The business in connection with the Standard Soap Works will be carried on by myself hithertofore. Signed Val Sachs.”
His interests were wide and he served on the boards and committees of School of Arts, GIen Innes School, Labour Electoral League, the Hospital, Fire Brigade, Oddfellows etc.
In 1908, due to ill health, he moved to Sydney where he was the senior partner in Sachs, Strachan and Co, wool and skin merchants, and died in 1913.
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