66. The Mullers a Husband and Wife doctor team

Updated 10/05/2025

They choose Montagu as a home town

Charles and Isabel

The original Doctors name plaques (Note how the old tradition did not recognise the female)

Dr. Charles Herold (Charlie) Muller was born in George on 18 April 1878 as the son of a Dutch Reformed minister. After finishing his schooling, at South African College High School (SACS) he went to study medicine at Edinburgh in Scotland. While there he met his future bride Isabel McKeand who was a fellow medical student. She was born on the farm Scoor on the Isle of Mull off the coast of Scotland but grew up on the farm Airlies in the district of Wicktonshire. Isabel actually finished her medical studies in 1902 and Charles completed his studies in 1903. The two were married in Scotland in November 1903 and arrived in Cape Town by boat in April 1904.

Initially Charles and Isabel Muller had a medical practice at Calitzdorp for a few months, but then they moved to Montagu where they bought the large thriving practice which was owned by the recently deceased Dr. Willie Castles. At first the Muller’s lived in Castledene in Church Street, which had belonged to Dr. Castles, and then in a house which stood where the present post office is (2022). But between 1912 and 1914 they had the house built on Erf 247 Bath Street which today (2022) is Airlies Historical House (guest accommodation), opposite the post office in Bath Street. The house next door to Airlies, at 38 Bath Street, was once part of the property and contained the stables. It was originally a single storey building and was built long before Airlies.

The Mullers were contemporaries of Dr. C.A. Wessels, the other medical doctor, who owned the house in Piet Retief Street where Koo-Karoo B&B is today (2022). Isabel Muller soon spoke Afrikaans quite well and there was mutual respect and co-operation between the two doctors in Bath Street and the one in Piet Retief Street. Charles and Isabel had four children Patricia (not her birth name but name she choose to be known by), Charles, Christopher, and Isbell.

Picture: Montagu Museum

Pictures: Charles Torrance and Monica Muller

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Drs. Muller and Mckeand attend his brother’s wedding

Hendriksz–Muller wedding group on stoep of Land-en-Zeezight farmhouse, Somerset West, 10^th February, 1908.

Front row from left to right: Dr. Charles Muller (brother of bridegroom), Mrs. Charles Muller, Johannes Hendriksz (brother of bridegroom), Tobie Muller (brother of bridegroom),Sir Jacobus Graaff (who brought the bridal bouquet out from Cape Town in his car), Mr. Olsen (step-father of bride), Johannes Hofmeyr (cousin of bride).

Middle row: Daniel Hendriksz (uncle of bride), Mrs. Muller (mother of bridegroom), Mrs. Olsen (formerly Hendriksz, mother of bride), Prof. F. C. J. Muller (father of bridegroom).

Back row: Mrs. J. H. (“Onze Jan”) Hofmeyr (born Hendriksz), Herklaas Roos (father of Paul Roos), J. H. (“Onze Jan”) Hofmeyr, Mrs. Herklaas Roos, John Muller (brother of bridegroom), Alicia Hofmeyr (cousin of bride), Tobie Louw (cousin of bridegroom), Fred Muller (bridegroom), Johannes Hendriksz (uncle of bride, just appearing between bride and groom), Antoinette Hendriksz (bride), Lady Jacobus Graaff (cousin of bride), Helena Hendriksz (sister of bride), Paul Roos (groomsman), Johnnie Louw (brother-in-law of bride).

Picture: The Story of Hottenstots Holland

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The house called Airlies was designed by the Paarl architect Wynand Louw, a cousin of Dr. Charlie Muller. Louw was a well-known architect, especially for his churches and church halls. He designed, among others, the church halls of the N.G. congregations of Paarl (the Strooidakkerk) and Noorder-Paarl (the Toringkerk). He was also responsible for the present KWV head office building in Paarl, and some of the buildings of the University of Stellenbosch.

The double storey house with its staircase contains many fine features such as stained glass windows, built-in mirrors, etc., probably specified by the architect. Airlies was the first and possibly the only double storey house Wynand Louw designed.

Picture: Charles Torrance

Charlie and Isabel Muller worked closely together until Isabel died in 1934 from a heart condition. She was a very gifted doctor, one of the few female doctors in South Africa at that time. She also had a hand in the founding of the Montagu hospital and also a small separate ward for the treatment of lepers. As far as can be established this stood just south of the present Hofmeyr Street near its junction with Brink Street.

Picture: Charles Torrance

Malcolm Knox Drum Major of the C.T. Caledonian Society was part of BESL contingent who stayed at Kalkoennes when the band visited Montagu to be awarded the Freedom of the Town. When Mrs. Isbell Torrance, was asked by organiser local farmer Piet Jordaan how much she wanted for providing the accommodation she replied that she would like the piper to play a lament in honour of her deceased mother buried at the family cemetery on Kalkoennes in lieu of payment.

BESL: The South African Branch was titled ‘British Empire Service League (South Africa) but in April 1941 in deference to the pro-war and anti-war factions in the country the name was changed to the ‘South African Legion of the BESL.

Picture: Charles Torrance

There were no houses in Montagu South at the time the hospital and the leper ward were built.

In 1935 Charlie Muller entered into a partnership with Dr. Japie Jordaan. This lasted until 1942 when he took in Dr. E.R. Coetzee as partner.

In about 1940 Dr. Charlie Muller married Arendha de Wet who was unmarried at that time. They had two children Charlene and Niel. After serving for some 52 years as an M.D. Dr. Muller passed in 1962.

Montagu Hospital Staff 1941

Back L/R: Miss Marais, A. Vermeulen, A. de Wet (future Mrs. Muller), Nurse Engelbrecht, Unknown.

Front: Dr. J. B. Jordaan, Dr. Muller, Matron Theunissen, Dr. Malherbe.

Grandson Charles Torrance explains how the Muller and Torrance families are linked to the farm Kalkoennes.

The farm was bought in 1920 by Dr. Charlie Muller from the Conradie family. Dr. Muller then named the farm Kalkoennes (see extent of original farm on Map 2) coming from the rocky area around the tunnel called Kalkoenkranz. Dr. Muller had an avid interest in botany showing a keen interest in the fauna and flora as well as commercial agriculture. This interest lead to him planting peaches, almonds and lucern on the property. His interest also resulted in the purchase of The Barn in Long Street as well as a farm in Bonnievale.

In the early days the property was entered from Keurkloof along a gravel road which was once part of the original road between Montagu and Ashton. It was only when the construction of the Billy Loftus Bridge 1953/54 started on the Ashton side of the tunnel that the entrance to Kalkoennes changed to where it is today.

Dr. Muller then sold the land marked Retreat 30/3 to local business man and friend P.J. Joubert.  

This is the house built by P.J. Joubert on the property “Retreat” as per the tittle deeds (but which they erroneously call “Kalkoennes”). The picture shows the house with the front room and balcony added onto the original 1920 structure which was a single room. The staircase in front of the building was hinged so that it could be pulled up to avoid flood damage. The original house and hence the additional front room, was built above the 1906 flood line that was the highest flood level experienced in the Cogmanskloof at that period in time.

The structure to the right of the house is the kitchen. This was demolished when the “cave” floor was levelled and the entrance onto the balcony was moved to the  raised floor a step or so higher than the outside earth and rock floor. A staircase from the ground level to the raised “cave” floor is similar to the current structure.  

The rock cleft the “cave” as it is how it has been referred to – there is a small dam above this cleft which was a source of water for  the New Cape Central Railways at their  Ashton station – a good few kilometers of pipe hugging the old Cogmanskloof pass road.

Picture: Klaus Riding

In 1940 Isbell (it is spelt correctly) Muller, Dr. Charlie’s daughter, married Reverand E.O. Torrance, the father of Mr. Charles Torrance, who still lives at Kalkoennes (2022).  The farm was badly damaged by the flood of 1981. Mr. Chris Torrance (brother of Charles) and his wife and parents had to spend several hours on top of a roof to escape the swirling waters.

Both Dr. Charlie Muller and his first wife, Isabel, are buried at Kalkoennes at a spot overlooking the farm. In the following picture the Muller family cemetery and the original Montagu/Ashton road are clearly visible. The road being used before the tunnel was built.  

The farm Kalkoennes is private property and anyone wanting to go in there should ask the permission of Mr. Charles or Christopher Torrance current owners of Kalkoennes.

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S.A. Tydskrif vir Geneeskunde
4 Augustus 1962

IN MEMORIAM

Charles Herold Muller, D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B.

Dr. D.P. Marais, of Cape Town, writes:

On the afternoon of Sunday 3 June a very representative band of mourners gathered in the wonderful setting of Cogmans Kloof to pay their respects to the memory’ of Doctor Charles Herold Muller, and to place his mortal remains beside those of his first wife Dr. Isabel McKeand. The family burial site which had long since been built into a spur of the mountain on his property of Kalkoennes was unique in its conception, and quite magnificent in its setting.

For years the tired doctor had found rest and relief in the midst of the contorted moun­tains of Montagu’s Cogmans Kloof, and here he had chosen his last resting place. Always a lover of the wild and of Nature in her every mood, he had chosen well in the siting of his grave, and the magnificence of its natural surroundings.

A brief service recited by his son-in-law Reverend Torrance, and an address by the Mayor of Montagu concluded a simple but touching ceremony, and the sad company broke up with the feeling that another chapter in the history of Montagu had come to an end. For “Dr. Charlie” — he was usually known by this intimate form — had served Montagu for 53 years, and had been the guide, philo­sopher, and friend of two generations.

He was a sound and most practical general practitioner and carried a large practice besides the functions of District Surgeon and Health Officer. He was largely responsible for the estab­lishment of the Montagu Hospital.

His cheerful disposition and charming personality endeared him to a large circle both in and beyond the district.

As a student he played rugby in one of his University teams, and he was persuaded to play at least once for Montagu. But his principal hobby and joy was gardening; he had a fine piece of arable soil adjoining his house, and here he spent much of his leisure time, cultivating flowers and rare fruits with great success. He had remarkable knowledge of the propagation of flowers and useful trees, and his garden became one of the sights of the town.

Born at George in 1877, he was educated at the South African College and proceeded to Edinburgh University where he obtained his M.B., Ch.B. in 1903. Among his contem­poraries at graduation were Herman Wessels (Cape Town), J. A. Raubenheimer (Oudtshoorn), John Heyns (Paarl, father of Prof. O. Heyns) and J. P. du Toit (Moorreesburg) all of whom have predeceased him. In 1903 he married Dr. Isabel McKeand, who had qualified a year earlier, and the happy partnership settled at once in Montagu. Dr. Muller saw service in the South West African Campaign of 1915 and was attached to the personal staff of General Botha. He was awarded the D.S.O. for his outstanding work. He lost his wife in 1934 and after nine years of lonely struggle with a large practice he married Miss Arendha de Wet. Matron of the Montagu Hospital, who proved a veritable pillar of strength and support in his later days of failing health.

Fullness of years and diminishing powers, with attacks of cerebral thrombosis, compelled him to retire to Still Bay, where the devoted efforts of his wife secured for him that comfort, encouragement and strength that helped to brighten the last days of his long life of service.

He leaves two married daughters, a doctor son (now in Grahamstown) and a younger son and daughter with his second wife. To all of whom we extend our tender sympathy.

Dr. Muller is awarded his DSO

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The above clipping was found is a scrapbook compiled by a nursing sister Martha Johanna Rossouw who was born in Montagu and worked with Dr. Muller. The cottage was the home of Dr. Muller.

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Anecdotal Story from Adamus Stemment which took place in 1945 (2022): Dr. Muller was also the local driver’s licence testing officer. Adamus recalls that when he arrived at Dr. Muller’s home for his test he had great difficulty in rousing the doctor. The doctor eventually came to the door and the test started. To the amazement of Adamus the drive around Montagu consisted of a lesson in horticulture. Dr. Muller explaining to him many unusual things about the fauna and flora. When they arrived back at Dr. Mullers home Adamus was issued with his licence and a quip that all the farm boys who came for a test just wasted his time as they had all been driving for years.

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Danro Swanepoel onthou (2022): Gedurende die tydperk, min of meer 1904 tot 1956, het ‘n egpaar, Dr. Muller en sy vrou, ‘n mediese praktyk op Montagu bedryf.  Dr. Muller se vrou was Engelssprekend, maar nes hy, ook ‘n baie bekwame huisarts.  Hulle was ook in Aptekerswese opgelei en het medisyne aan hul pasiënte voorsien.  Onder die publiek was hulle bekend daarvoor vir korrekte diagnoses en effektiewe behandelings.

Hulle huis en spreekkamers was regoorkant die Poskantoor in Badstraat.  Dit is die groot strooidakhuis wat vandag as ‘n gastehuis ingerig is. Dr. Müller se vrou was veral baie simpatiek ingestel teenoor die siekes onder die Bruin inwoners van Montagu. Teen ‘n minimale fooi het sy hulle ondersoek en behandel en daar was altyd ‘n groot toeloop om van haar dienste gebruik te maak.

En toe het sy iewers rondom 1934 baie ernstig siek geword. Dr. Müller het alles menslik moontlik gedoen om sy geliefde vrou te genees, maar sonder welslae.  Hy was vir sy vrou oneindig lief en haar siekte het hom ook baie hartseer gemaak.  Hy het die stryd om haar weer gesond te kry, uiteindellik verloor.  Sy geliefde vrou, kollega en vriendin het gesterf.  Hy was ‘n gebroke man.

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Charles Torrance relates the Koo call out story(2022). Dr. McKeand received a message to attend to a patient in the Koo. Now in those days transport was by means of a horse drawn buggy. She arranged for her two horse buggy to be prepared and departed for the Koo. Just before she was about to navigate the Burgers Pass she stopped at the uitspan plek to rest her horses and remembered that she had forgotten her new born daughter at Castledene. She turned around went back home only to find that the baby had slept through all the excitment. Still remembering her patient she then set out for the Koo with her baby.  

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The Muller Gallery with contributions from Charles Torrance grandson and Alfrieda Muller daughter in law of Dr. Muller

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Academic records

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Military appointment to medical corps

Dr Mullers campaign chair on display at the Montagu museum

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Montagu like many towns in the early days was very community orientated and local residents use to join together to provide all forms of entertainment. On this occasion the doctors (front row middle) were part of a Gilbert & Sullivan production.

Patricia (Peppy) and Charles

Attending a function at the Montagu Country Hotel 1916

Back: F. de Villiers, W. Knipe, Dr. Wessels, Hayes, Wilson, Dr. Isabel (6th from left), W. Burger, Stokes, P. Brink, W. Stemmet, N. Millin.
Middle: B. Geldenhuys, S. Woolfhardt, Mrs. Castles, Mr. Ackerman
Front: Dr. Charles Muller (1st left), J. Brink, J van Zyl,?. de Kock, Mrs. de Kock, Mrs. Ackerman, G. Stemmet, P. Burger, J. Thomson
Note: The name list is not complete but has been included for information purposes

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Contributors: Irma Jordaan, Charles Torrance, Adamus Stemmet, Danro Swanepoel

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