Individual Details
(1 Oct 1861 - 19 May 1943)
John was one of the first to take up land in the Rongotea (Campbelltown) settlement when he came to Foxton with his parents in 1878 from TuaMarina. Because his bush section was untenable in winter, John found employment at Foxton. He helped salvage material from the ship 'Hyderabad' after it became stranded near Manawatu Heads in June 1878. John was able to get up steam in two derelict boilers aboard the ship, thus prolonging their usefulness. John set up the first printing press for it's owner in September 1878. (When one realises John was only 17years old at the time, this account becomes a remarkable story). Besides working on his farm at Rongotea, John engaged in contracting, which included sinking artesian wells. The first bore to a depth of 320ft was at the Rongotea Dairy Factory. John was one of the original 23 suppliersto the proprietry factory at Rongotea in 1893. When the concern was converted into a co-operative, John became one of the guarantors to the bank for the purchase outlay of £1000.
Events
| Birth | 1 Oct 1861 | Wairau, New Zealand | | | |
| Marriage | 26 May 1879 | Foxton, New Zealand - Mary Coley | | | |
| Marriage | 9 Mar 1890 | Presbyterian Church, Rongotea, New Zealand - Amina Charlotte Elizabeth Baker | | | |
| Death | 19 May 1943 | Taikorea, Manawatu, New Zealand | | | |
Families