Krauss, Emma Harriet
Emma Krauss was born in Sydney in 1864, the fourth of eight children to Louis Krauss and Ann Rebecca nee Whelan. Her father was a master baker, conducting his inner-city business from rented premises in York Street until his death in 1877, after which her mother took over the business and relocated to Macquarie Street, hoping to retain existing customers 'by keeping the very best bread'.
In 1880 Emma, aged 16, began as a pupil teacher at Pyrmont Church of England School, which subsequently became Pyrmont Public School. After a short probationary period, her appointment was confirmed, and she commenced drawing a small salary. Emma was one of two pupil teachers granted to the school that year to assist in the Infants Department where the 120 students being managed by one teacher and two senior students reflected Pyrmont's growing population.
Emma's first two years as pupil teacher saw her promoted through grades on schedule and she was transferred to the Primary department at Pyrmont. At the end of her third year, now 19, the headmaster noted her good health, respectable moral character, punctuality, diligence, and obedience, however as her examination results were not sufficient, she failed to receive a promotion to the final pupil teacher grade. Shortly after this Emma experienced recurring sickness, with the headmaster noting her progress and home studies were impeded by ill health.
In August 1884 Emma applied for appointment to a small school explaining, 'My reasons are that not having had very good health lately, and as our family is large, and mother a widow, my salary as a Pupil Teacher does not afford the help I would wish to give.' Despite not being strictly eligible since she failed her fourth-year examination, the district inspector supported Emma's application stating, 'her practical skill is very fair and she is in every respect suited for the office she seeks'. Emma spent another year at Pyrmont Public awaiting appointment during which time the school moved into new premises with greatly improved facilities able to accommodate over 1200 pupils.
In August 1885 Emma was appointed to Run of Waters Provisional School to replace Miss E Wilson, removed for 'inefficiency'. The school building at Run of Waters was only a year old but very basic, lacking a veranda for weather protection. The contrast between Emma's Sydney experience and her appointment must have seemed extreme, which perhaps explains why she gave notice after five months, her resignation becoming effective on 28 February 1886. Emma's limited period of service meant she had to repay the Department £2.7.0 for her travel expenses from Sydney.
Emma presumably returned to her family home. Her mother still ran the bakery business which eventually shifted from inner Sydney to Balmain then Drummoyne, being run in time by Emma's brother. In 1896 Emma, aged 32, married builder William Ernest Ashdown - the second marriage between these families with Emma's sister having married William's brother five years earlier. Emma's later life was spent in various locations across Sydney, perhaps related to her husband's diverse building contracts. She died aged 64, seemingly without children as reflected in her husband's heartfelt tribute, 'She was all in all to me'.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2023. Sources consulted include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region, (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]