The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Langtree, Charles William
Langtree, Charles William, was born in Glenarm, co. Antrim, on Oct. 25th, 1846. He went to Melbourne in 1852, and served his apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer in the Hobson's Bay Railway Company's workshops. After considerable experience in private employment, he entered the Department of Mines as draughtsman in July 1865, and was appointed chief draughtsman in Feb. 1866. In 1882 be became chief clerk, and in 1884 permanent head of the department as Secretary for Mines and Water Supply and Chief Mining Surveyor, which post he held till Feb. 1889, when he was appointed to his present position as one of the Civil Service Commissioners of Victoria. Mr. Langtree married on Oct. 15th, 1874, Jeannie, daughter of Peter McCracken, J.P., the well-known Melbourne brewer. He has held the offices of Vice-President and President of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors and Engineers, and is a Fellow of that body.