MAN A WAT PIONEER

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 6

MAN A WAT PIONEER

DEATH AT ADVANCED AGE

(Special to the "Evening Post.") . PALMERSTON N., This Day... A veteran of the Franco-Prussian war died in Palmerston North.on Wednesday in the person of Mr. Joseph Krivan, who also held the distinction of being one of that early. V band of pioneers who saw the city of Palmerston North grow from a village carved out of the bush. A vigorous career had enabled him to retain an excellent command of his mental faculties right up to the time of his death at the ripe age of 97 years. The deceased was born at Pilsen, Bohemia, in 1839, and for some years followed the occupation of a miner. He participated in the Franco-Prussian war, and shortly after demobilisation decided to migrate. It was from Hamburg in 1874, with nis wife and four young children, that he took ship to New Zealand as , one of a party of intending : settlers.;; The voyage occupied nearly twelve, months, and on landing in Wellington Mr. Krivan trekked to Palmerston North via Foxton. There were then but three houses set up in a wilderness of bush and mosquito-ridden swamp. Mrs. Krivan ■predeceased her husband 45 years ago. Of the surviving family, of two. sons, and-four daughters, the eldest son, Mr. Joseph- Krivan, of Levin, is now 72 years old and still very vigorous. There are'■also 30 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. . •