More Info →Rockstraw Family and Home, 59 Cuba Street

This is the home of the Rockstraw family, located at 59 Cuba Street. Mr Rockstraw was a Prussian born in Effurt, Germany. As a young man he migrated to a older colony of New Zealand, where he practiced medicine in the goldfields of the West Coast. In 1873, Prime Minister Fox persuaded him to go north and serve as medical officer to the Natives between Horowhenua and the Rangitikei. John settled in Foxton and worked with not only Maoris, but the early European settlers up the Manawatu (it was 1875 before Palmerston North had its first resident Doctor). He finally transferred to Palmerston north in about 1890 with his family to Cuba Street. After some years he resigned the practice and died one of the last early pioneers 30 May 1913.In this photograph Fredrick, the eldest son, is missing. Present, from left: William Caspar, unknown youngest son, unknown eldest and second eldest daughter, unknown second son, unknown woman - perhaps a servant, Dr and Mrs Rockstraw, Ellen (later Mrs Menli) and the unknown third daughter. The Rockstraw family moved to Palmerston North in about 1890, this must have been taken very soon after the move.