People Australia

Arthur (Frank) Sonneman, also known as Frank Sonnemann (1885-1950) blacksmith and trade union official

Birth: 1 June 1885 at Allandale, Kapunda, South Australia, son of Otto Franz Sonnemann (or Sonneman) (c.1854-1888), engine driver, previously a shoemaker, born in Germany, and [Ernestina] Christina, née Schmidt or Fichtner (1858-1920). Both parents had been born in Prussia [Germany]. Marriage: 12 August 1931 at Adelaide, SA, to Ruby May Roskilley (1900-1953). Death: 14 May 1950 at Adelaide, SA.  

• His father was killed when he fell down a well while working at Davey and Sons mill. The family then spent time in the district of the Murray and Darling rivers between Menindee and Wentworth.
• In 1896 the Sonnemans moved to Broken Hill, where his mother remarried. In November 1898 his step-father Charles Lovelace Andrew [known as Charles Lovelace], a miner, was killed in a mining accident at the South mine. Mrs Lovelace became a prominent Labor supporter.
• By 1907 Sonneman was secretary of the Blacksmiths, Toolsmiths, and Strikers’ Union.
• In July 1914 he was elected to the committee of the Barrier District Assembly, of the Political Labor League. Sometime vice chairman of the Workers’ Industrial Union of Australia.
• Sometime grand master of the Loyal Standard Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent order of Odd Fellows and chairman of the Friendly Societies Council.
• In 1929 was working as a trucker.
• In his later years lived in Adelaide, SA.