DEATH OF MR. JACOB MARX

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 23 April 1935, Page 4

DEATH OF MR. JACOB MARX

PROMINENT DAIRIY FARMER.

FORTY YEARS IN TARANAKI

The death occurred at an early hour this morning of Mr Jacob Marx, aged 83 years. The late Mr Marx was for many years a resident of Mangatoki, and was well, and favourably known for liis long association with the dairy industry in which he was one of its most prominent figures. Born in Germany, Mr Marx was taken as a small child by his parents to Tasmania, where the family remained for some years prior to migrating to New Zealand. Some 40 years ago, Mr Marx came to Taranaki and took up land in the Mangatoki district, his farm being situated on the corner of the Kith am and the Duthi© .Roads. ■Hero he remained until 1927, when he retired to live with his daughter, Mrs Sulzberger at Waitoitoi, near Urenui. The farm is being operated now by Mr J. P. Marx, a son of the deceased. Mr .Marx’s association with the dairy industry extends oyer. many years, and his public activities in that direction probably had their genesis w A hcn the Mangatoki Dairy Company was owned by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, and conducted by them as a semi-co-operative concern.' The Loan Company formed a board of advisors to the dairy com.pany ,and Mr Marx was appointed to a .seat on that board. Later, in 1900, when the dairy company was formed into a wholly co-operative concern, lie was appointed chairman of the board of directors, and held office until he retired in 1925. With the late Mr Cooper the then manager of the company, f\lr Marx was associated in the first manufacture of rennet, and the formation of the company which now exists. In fact, for the first two years that rennet was made, it was manufactured at the Mangatoki dairy factory under facilities provided by the dairy company. In the National Dairy Association lie was a prominent figure, and took a large part in the formation of the original association. For 25 years he was a well-known figure at the annual conferences, and was recognised as one of the then leaders of thought-in the industry. By-products of the industry also claimed his attention, and he was instrumental in starting th© Eltham and Mangatoki Co-operative Pig Marketing Association. This later was taken over by the New Zealand Meat Packing and Bacon Co., and sold ten years agoi to Messrs. J. C. Hutton Ltd., at Eltham. Mr Marx was on the directorate until the company was finally wound up. His other activities included a keen interest in the affairs of the Egmont Box Company, and he was instrumental in arranging the purchase of the Taurewa block, which is now being milled. He was chairman of the company for nine years until 1915. He was also chairman for a number of years and on the original executive of the Taranaki Industrial Union of Employers. He took a prominent interest in local bodies, and was at one time chairman of the Hawera County Council, but resigned on the formation of the Eltham County. In all matters appertaining to the welfare of the Mangatoki district he took a keen interest. He was one of t.he founders of the fund with which to build the present hall, while he was for a great number of years chairman of the Mangatoki school committee. During the influenza epidemic of 19IS he organised a. depot at Mangatoki for the relief of sufferers, and did all in Jiis power to assuage the suffering brought about by the disease.. Mr Marx was greatly respected for liis singleness of purpose, and his integrity of character by his co-directors on any company in which he was associated. The cause of co-operation was one which was very dear to him and lie devoted practically the whole of his life as a dairy farmer to furthering his ideas in that direction.

Mrs Marx pre-deceased him some years ago. There are six sons and two daughters at present living. The sons are Messrs. J. P. (Mangatoki), Jacob (Ropo-o-rangi), Oscar, Rare, Vernon and Allan (Edgoumbe), and the daughters, Mrs J. W. Cleaver (Edgecumbe) and E. J. Silzburger (Waitoitoi). One son, Eric, was killed at the battle of Messines, while another son, George, was drowned at Ojpunake some years ago Another son, Mr W. J. Marx, died 18 months ago at Cambridge. There are several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.