Johannes Joachim Frederich Rose

“MR. J. F. ROSE, OF TAKAKA

The death of Mr. John Frederick Rose, of Takaka, occurred in Nelson hospital last night. Mr. Rose, who was 98 years of age, was admitted to the hospital on July 20 with a fractured hip, the result of a fall at his home.

Mr. Rose was born in Germany in 1851 and landed in New Zealand with his parents on February 10, 1856, settling in Rosedale, which was named after the Rose family. Mr. Rose left home at the age of 16 to work on a bush farm at Upper Takaka. He decided to stay in the district where he purchased a property of 75 acres at Urewhenua. Later he went into partnership with Robert Bartlett in a sawmill at Hamama. He also managed a sawmill at Puramahoi for Issac Walker. He purchased the ‘Willowbanks’ property in Takaka in 1879.

Mr. Rose was a member of the old Takaka Road Board from 1882 to 1892 and was associated with many other organizations in the district. He was a member of the Takaka Odd Fellows’ Lodge for over 72 years, holding all the offices at various times. A Justice of the Peace for 55 years, Mr. Rose’s appointment as a justice was made on May 26, 1894.

Mr. Rose is survived by three sons and two daughters – Messrs. Arthur H. Rose and Frank G. Rose (Takaka), Mr. Darcy Rose (Maruia), Mrs. D. Wallace (Richmond) and Mrs. E. Taylor (Stratford). There are 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife and four daughters.