Rudolf Daniel Wilke was born 25 December 1845 at Hamburg, Germany.

Maria Caroline Schuetze was born 7 June 1853 at Hahndorf, South Australia.

She and Rudolf were married 3 March 1872 at Talunga, Mt Pleasant, South Australia.

He was a Wattle Bark Mill Proprietor and farmer, and lived at Blumberg (now Birdwood), and Port MacDonnell, South Australia.

Rudolf served on the Port MacDonnell Council where he was Chairman for 14 years out of his total of over 20 years service.