Spemann Family Collection
This photo of Emma Axmann ( 4 th from left in middle row ) in a group of mainly Samoan women suggests that her upbringing was a bicultural one rather than a European-oriented one . The group pictured may have been a gathering of wives of Germans . Suggestive of this is the presence of both Emma and Mrs Senitima Funk , the wife of German doctor Bernhard Funk , one of Apia ’ s most notable characters in the German colonial period . Mrs Funk is beside Emma , 5th from the left .
Emma Axmann ’ s brother , Hermann , emigrated to Sydney around the turn of the century and settled there . He married Minnie Walker in 1903 and had a family .
( Previous page ) After about six years absence , according to family folklore , Mr Axmann returned to Samoa . This may have occurred around 1888-89 . He prevailed upon Etesa to return to the marriage . Reportedly her agreement was obtained in a meeting that was more confrontational than amicable .
This beautifully preserved photo of the re-united Axmanns in about 1894-95 came to Auckland in 1933 with descendants , the Grapengiesser family . Its relatively early departure from the islands has saved it from the deterioration or damage that Samoa ’ s humid , cyclone-prone climate can cause . The Axmann house stood on Beach Rd , at Sogi , in Apia . The people in this photo appear to be : ( back row , left-to-right ) all unknown except probably son Herman Axmann in grey jacket ; sitting , Etesa and Feodor with baby Rudolph Gebauer ( born December 1892 ) on his lap ; daughter Emma ( married Hugo Gebauer ); on mat , ( best guesses ) Clara Gebauer ( b . March 1891 ); Etesa ’ s daughter Luisa ( b . 1884-85 ?); and Hedwig Gebauer ( b . April 1889 ). Missing from this photo is first-born son Robert Gebauer , aged about 7-8 at the time ( b . Sept 1887 ), and Emma ’ s husband Hugo . Was Robert in Germany with his father , being placed in an educational institution ?
Mr Axmann sustained a chest injury while on board a boat in rough weather . He reportedly stopped an item of furniture falling on to a sailor . A slow chest hemorrhage led to his death in Apia on 1 April 1896 . In reporting Feodor ’ s passing , the “ Sydney Morning Herald ” correspondent in Samoa reported that Mr Axmann “ was greatly esteemed by all classes .”
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