Ibler, John

IBLER, John (c1854–1902) was born in Sulzbach, Hesse, Germany, the son of George Ibler, a labourer, and Catherine Engelhard. Nothing is known of his training before he migrated to Victoria where he worked as architect (and scenic artist) in various parts of regional Victoria including churches for the Roman Catholics and Anglicans at Bairnsdale, and a presbytery, blacksmith’s shop, and an oast house at Horsham. His application for membership of the Victorian Institute of Architects in January 1883 was apparently unsuccessful possibly provoking Ibler’s move to Brisbane early in September 1884. Initially he involved in building speculation with CE Laurence, a plumber, for which he employed carpenters including a villa, two houses, and a two-storey house and shop. He was naturalised in 1885. By 1886, with Lawrence having financial problems which led to his insolvency in 1887, Ibler commenced a successful practice as an architect in Brisbane including premises and a hall for the Deutscher Turnverein, Brisbane’s German Club, and large villa residences. where he married Elizabeth Mary Geraghty in February 1892. In 1887, having himself completed some admired stained-glass windows for St Stephen’s Cathedral, he became agent in Brisbane for the Royal Bavarian Stained-Glass Institute of Munich. Early in 1889, he commenced practice with George SIMKIN as SIMKIN & IBLER, which continued until 1894 when the recession brought work to a standstill. Thereafter both partners sought to make a living separately. Simkin practised briefly at Paddington, Brisbane before he and Ibler independently moved to South Africa by June 1896. In August 1896, at Johannesburg and Pretoria, Ibler entered partnership with John Beardwood (1853–1923) as Beardwood & Ibler, possibly with Ibler as the firm’s resident partner at Pretoria where he was listed in 1899. Their work included a polychrome brick synagogue at Pretoria, later reused (after being painted cream) as a courthouse where Nelson Mandela among 91 opponents of apartheid was tried for high treason. Beardwood & Ibler ended in August 1899, shortly before the outbreak of the Boer War when both partners moved to Natal. Ibler settled at Pietermaritzburg where he died in 1902.