1819 - 1886
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Robert Scholl was the son of an English navy agent. He was born in Southwark and studied medicine before moving the Western Australia after his brother (William) inherited property from an uncle.
In Western Australia he worked as a teacher, clerk of the court, in the postal department and then in newspapers before becoming part owner of the Inquirer.
In 1844 he married Mary Ann Berkelman at Picton and they went on to have 7 children.
In January 1865, Robert was appointed Resident Magistrate of the new settlement of Camden Harbour. He travelled there with his eldest son (Treverton) and a party of government officials.
During an exploration of the area Robert and his son were almost killed when a boat overturned and the pair drifted out to sea clutching a water container. After several hours in shark and crocodile infested waters the pair were washed back in to shore by the tides.
By the time Scholl was sent to the settlement it was on the verge of collapse, but he did what he could to try and stave off the inevitable. In the end it was to no avail and the settlement was abandoned but John Scholl was then appointed Government Resident at Roebourne.
In March 1867, Treverton Scholl was lost when the ship Emma sank with all hands.
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Robert remained government magistrate at Roebourne until 1881. He eventually returned to Perth and once again was Resident Magistrate before dying in 1886.
Two of his sons joined state parliament
and one was Post Master General.
