Alderman [1885-1891] & Mayor of Strathfield [1886-7 & 1889]
Wilheim Von der Heyde [1829-1896] was elected as an Alderman to the first Strathfield Council in 1885. He served as an Alderman until 1891. Heyde was elected Mayor in 1886-1887 and 1889.
Heyde was born in Germany in 1829 and migrated to Australia and eventually settled in Sydney. He entered a business partnership with George Todman as tobacco importers and merchants trading as ‘Heyde, Todman & Co’ at 51 York Street Sydney from 1875. The Adeline Centennial History of 1888 described the business as ‘a wholesale place of great importance’ and ‘agents of the most prominent manufacturers of cigars in Havana, Island of Cuba, from which places the choicest brands of tobacco and cigars are constantly imported by them’.
Heyde served for many years as President of the German Club. In 1891, Wilhem Von der Heyde was appointed Consul to Spain. He had previously been gazetted to the position of Vice-Consul in 1890.
After Heyde’s death in 1896, Todman became the sole proprietor of the business, which was sold to Messrs W D & H O Wills. Todman’s obituary [SMH 9/6/1924] notes that Heyde’s son was manager of W D & H O Wills.
Von Der Heyde built ‘Elwood House’ [see picture] in Albert Rd Strathfield in 1884, which was located next to George Todman’s mansion ‘Milroy’.
Both homes were demolished in the early 1930’s and are now the site of Strathfield Girls High.
Heyde Street Strathfield is named for him.
References
Morrison, W F, Aldine Centennial History of NSW, 1888
Obituary of George Todman, Sydney Morning Herald, page 6, 9 June 1924.
Death of Consul Von Der Heyde, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 April 1896, page 4
Strathfield Heritage 