Edmund Valentine Steele

Edmund's life is a difficult one to understand and yet it is intriguing. He was born in South Yarra Melbourne to parents unknown. At some point most probably when he was about 5 or 6 he was either formally or informally adopted by William and Mary Steele. As a family group they make their way to Queensland around the 1870's. It is here that Edmund's guardians -( William and Mary Steele) makes residence in Glamorganvale. This is evident on the electoral rolls for the time. Where Edmund attended school is a mystery as there is no record of his attendance at the local Glamorganvale State School. He does acquire an education as he is required to give a statement regarding the injury he caused to a horse belonging to the Kleier family. Edmund was arrested in 1888 and for his troubles sent to Boggo Road Gaol for 9 months. In 1889 he returns the favour to the Kleier family and marries their daughter Annie Matilda. They have 9 children altogether. In 1891 Edmund selects land approximately 100 acres in size near Neara and soon discovers the land is near worthless. In 1894 his guardian-William Steele passes away and we as the modern day family believe this is when Edmund discovers who he really is. In 1895 he is fined for wife desertion but returns to his family and they head for the Sunshine Coast. Edmund also changes his surname,it is now Griffith. He settles down to family life on another selection of land near Eumundi. He does eventually sell this property and he and Annie with all their children now fully independent make for the Brisbane suburb of Deagon. When Annie passes away in 1941 Edmund's son-Charles Edward comes to live with his father until Edmund's death in 1955. Was Edmund part of the Steele Clan? Not really sure but I think so.