Manawatū Heritage

Mrs Mary Emma Mowlem (nee Ward)

Mrs Mary Mowlem was wife to Fred Mowlem a commission and estate land agent, in partnership with James Linton in about 1892 and later with James Mowlem. In 1920, Fred was a JP and had retired from Mowlem & Mowlem. Mary Mowlem was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Nora Linton

Daughter of James and Sarah Ann Linton. Nora was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Susan Woolcock

Susan Woolcock was the wife of William Albert Woolcock. She is pictured with her daughters, Amelia and Maude. Susan was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Rebecca Dawick

Rebecca was the wife of Samuel Dawick, proprietor of Dawick's Buffet, the temperance hotel and restaurant in Rangitikei Street. The Dawicks were amongst the first ratepayers of the Borough of Palmerston North in 1877. They had two sons, William and Edward. Rebecca was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Agnes Hankins (née Dalrymple)

Agnes married John Herbert Hankins 26 October, 1872 in Hokitika. They moved to Palmerston North in 1882, where John set up practice as a barrister and solicitor. They lived at Stoney Creek. Agnes was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Jane Linton

Jane was the eldest daughter of James (second Mayor of Palmerston North) and Sarah Ann Linton. She arrived in Palmerston North with her parents in 1871. Jane was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

George Matthew and Louisa Matilda Snelson

George Matthew Snelson and wife Louisa Matilda Snelson are shown here in the garden of their Fitzherbert Street home. George was the first mayor of Palmerston North and he and his wife are known as "the mother and father of Palmerston North." Louisa was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Clara Shailer in Glasshouse, Scandia (Albert) Street

Clara Shailer is photographed here in her fathers glasshouse. Clara (1870-1951) married George Woodroofe and they lived in Foxton. Her father George Shailer was a well known photographer in the Manawatū District. Clara was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, as was her mother Septuagesima Shailer. The petition was submitted to Parliament in 1893.

George and Septuagesima Shailer

A portrait of George (c1846-1918) and Septuagesima Shailer, thought to have been taken in February 1874 before departure to New Zealand, from Brentford, Middlesex, England. They travelled aboard the "Ocean Mail", which sailed from Gravesend, England. George was a well known local photographer in Palmerston North, taking many studio and informal photographs in the Manawatu region. See also: Saga in Sepia by V. Smith. Septuagesima was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, as was her daughter Clara. The petition was submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Matilda Perrin and daughters, Rachel and Ada

Matilda Perrin (nee Montgomery), (1854-1914) was the adopted daughter of the Snelson family. She married John Perrin (1844-1914) in 1874 in Palmerston North, where they raised nine children. John Perrin and others established the first construction firm in Palmerston North, Merrin, Perrin and Oakley. Early constructions included the fist Anglican Church and the Bon Marche Store. Matilda was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893. She is pictured here with her daughters Rachel and Ada.

Emma Belk, signatory to 1893 suffrage petition

Emma Belk was one of the working class signatories to the 1893 women's suffrage petition. Aged 73 at the time, she was living in Main Street Palmerston North. She and her husband James Duncan Belk were among the first group of settlers in Feilding. They were the senior members of a 3 generation family of 16 who migrated and arrived in Feilding in 1874. The photo was possibly taken in the 1890s, when Emma was widowed and assisting in her son Matthew's small grocery shop. Her grim countenance is understandable - she had given birth to 14 children, lost at least five of them, and had had a hard life in New Zealand.

Louisa Snelson - Palmerston North's first Mayoress

Louisa Snelson was born in 1844 and married George Snelson in 1865. George Snelson was a pioneer storekeeper (he opened the first shop on the Square) and was the first Mayor of he newly created Borough of Palmerston North in 1877, making Louisa the first mayoress. They lived in Fitzherbert Street, and had two children - Frances, who died aged one, and George who died aged two. Their adopted daughter was Matilda Montgomery (later Perrin). Louisa was extensively involved in all aspects of life in Palmerston North including fundraising efforts for Palmerston North Hospital. She died 14 February 1919 aged 75 in Whanganui and is buried in the Terrace End Cemetery. Her obituary in the Manawatū Daily Times described her as the "Mother of Palmerston". Louisa was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Ihle family

Anders Hans Ihle emigrated with his family from Norway and worked as a Contractor in the Manawatū region. Ihle was the Foreman of workers installing the tram line between Palmerston North and Foxton, and was also involved with building the first Fitzherbert Bridge. The original family name was Hansen, but was changed to avoid confusion amongst the many families of Hansen. The Ihle family, Back Row L to R: Adolph; Hilda; Marie; Dina Jorgine; Hans Andersen. Middle Row: Anne Lydia; Anders Hansen Ihle; Martha Marie Ihle; Inga. Front Row: May Josephine; Olivia Tereca; Cicilea Minnie. Martha was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Karen Bergersen

Karen Martea Bergersen (née Andreasdatter) married Carl Bergersen at age 25 in Norway and arrived in New Zealand on-board the "Celaeno" with their young son Oscar B. The family were allotted a section on the Karere Scandinavian Block. Carl worked as a wheelwright, having been trained in Norway as a cabinet maker. In 1886, Carl founded C A Bergersen - Engineer, Gunsmith, Locksmith and Machinist. He was also an inventor and filed several patents, including one for a radical type of sash window. Carl died in Palmerston North in 1922, there is no available information of Karen's death. Their children were: Oscar (b. 1870), Alexander Marthinius (b. 1871), Hildas Emmuanuel (b. 1872), Olga Lenora Constantina (b. 1875-1876), Hildas Laurence Constance (b. 1878) and Ragna Doretta Amalie (b. 1881). Karen was one of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Rockstrow family

The Rockstrows were an early Manawatū family of German extraction. John Frederick Rockstrow (1835-1913) was a Doctor and Surgeon. Mrs Rockstrow (1838-1914) was born Anna Eunice Gapper, in Germany. The Gapper family emigrated to a German settlement in Nelson province in 1842 and Anna’s father was one of the few survivors of the ‘Wairau Massacre’. Anna married Dr Rockstrow when he was working among the miners on the West Coast in 1873, and then accompanied him to Manawatu in the same year. The Rockstrows had 4 daughters and 4 sons. The eldest son, John, served in the Boer War, returning much decorated. The third son, William, worked at the Wellington Post Office and also fought in the Boer War. On return he worked again at the Post Office before resigning, and remained unemployed until he died of an opiate overdose in 1909. Ellen, the youngest daughter, married Andrew Meuli of Hawera in 1919. From left standing: Rasalia elizabeth (b.1871), John Frederick (b.1868), Frances Amelia (b.1873), Augustus Isidor (b.1878). From left seated: Dr J F Rockstrow, Ellen Flora (b.1876), William Casperi (b.1881), Henrietta May (b.1869), Walter Leonard (b.1883), Anna Rockstrow Anna (far right seated) and Henrietta (fourth from the left, seated) were two of approximately 523 Palmerston North women who signed the Suffrage petition, submitted to Parliament in 1893.

Palmerston North Suffrage Signatories

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