From recollections written by Max Stephens in 2010
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From as early as I can remember, many visits to grandparents, uncles and aunts of the Buntz family in Wodonga were normal holidays in the school breaks.
Grand-dad (Pop), Marcus Henry was born and raised at Silver Creek, where he took up blacksmithing and horseshoeing.
He courted Isabelle Margarite Sangster.
They married in the late 1800s and lived at Bethanga.
He had two years in Bethanga before purchasing the Federal Coach Factory in High Street, Wodonga from George Smith in 1907.
At this time George Simpson rented the wood department and took over the extensive stock of American hickory and wheels for coach building.
When they first moved to Wodonga they lived on The Estate near where the hospital is now.
My first memories are of wandering through the extensive chook run between these two establishments.
By this time, the three sons, Henry (smithy and the best striker Pop ever had), Ted, auto electrician and George, 'A' grade mechanic had taken over the business as a motor garage and the blacksmith forge was a minor part of the establishment.
It was still used for welding I do recall.
By the time I was visiting the shop ... it was well into the motor car age ...
One of George's responsibilities was to maintain the motor pumping water to the water tower in High Street.
This was the only water supply for the town and the tank carried enough water for one day.
At the age of 45 years, Pop retired as the boys took over in 1919.
He was a staunch Presbyterian, Masonic Lodge mason, a very well used Justice of the Peace, coroner and at some stage, magistrate. He was a very highly respected member of the Wodonga Community.
By the time I was visiting the shop (as it was called by the family) it was well into the motor car age trading as Buntz Brothers Garage.
The garage was sold in 1948 to Jack Mylon.
The brothers went their separate ways, George as a private mechanic from home in Thomas Mitchell Drive and later in Beechworth Road, Henry at Joe's Service Station in Melbourne Road and Ted to Sydney starting his own service station.
Visit the society's website for more stories and historical photographs.
