The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
WILLIAM JOSEPH RUB 1891 - 1978
Rub family photograph
In 1855 Bill’s grandfather arrived in Australia from Germany with his bride and settled in Drayton. Bill’s father, Joseph George Rub was born in 1861 and subsequently married a German girl, in 1888.
This union resulted in the birth of William Joseph Rub on 13 July, 1891. Commonly known as “Billy” in the Drayton district, his extraordinary gift with the use of his hands rewarded him with First Prize at Toowoomba Show for calligraphy at the tender age of twelve years.
Bill was very fond of horses and rode regularly with his brother in the Drayton district. At 13 he had commenced work with a local chaff cutting contractor, but it is believed that his love for horses, and his exceptional talent with his hands, led him to become interested in the saddlery trade.
In 1908 William Joseph Rub was indentured to William James Smith Hamwood, a leading saddler in Toowoomba.
Hamwood's in Toowoomba in 1901. The business made 40 Boer War saddles and fittings in one week. Geo Cossart was manager of the store at this time, later to become Bill Rub's boss at the Cossart Saddlery.
After four years with Bill Hamwood, Geo Cossart invited Billy Rub to work for him at his saddlery shop in Russell Street, Toowoomba in 1912. Geo was the former manager of Hamwoods from 1899 until 1906 and had been trading for six years at the Russell Street address.
On 13 October, 1928, Bill married Miss Elsie Parker, also from Drayton, in St Matthew’s Anglican church, Drayton. They had three children, a son Leslie, a daughter, Ailsa and a second son, Evan (deceased). Bill is fondly remembered by his children Leslie and Ailsa. They recall that he was a hard working gardener, lawn mower and tree pruner. He kept their little block and house in immaculate condition, growing lots of fruit and vegetables, hens for their eggs, and milk from their house cow.
Even today, Bill Rub’s meticulous workmanship is remembered with respect by many former saddlers, horse trainers and other tradesmen for his attention detail. A perfectionist, everything he made or repaired had to be as near to perfect as he could make it.
Although of a rather quiet nature, and with a great love of home and family, Bill was always ready to take his place in various community affairs. He was a foundation member of the Drayton Indoor Bowls Club, a member of the school committee and Treasurer of both at various times. He was also heavily involved with the local Anglican church, and was Rector’s Warden for 19 years and Treasurer for 11 years. In 1964 he donated a metal belfry to the church to replace the ailing timber structure.
Beside being a meticulous saddle maker, Bill found the time to make three miniature stock saddles over an 18 year period. These saddles measured between 90-102mm across the top and weighed approx 113 grams each
This Stock Saddle was made in 1918 –all the fittings on this saddle were handmade by Bill, the tree, the stirrups, staples, saddle dees and buckles
The Lady’s astride with skirt attachment and pockets was made in 1919 - All fittings on this saddle were made by hand by Bill— the tree, stirrups, staples, dees and buckles etc.
The Stock & Breaking-In Saddle was made in 1936, though some hardware on this
saddle was purchased rather than hand made
Bill Rub 1891 - 1978 A True Craftsman