OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR L. COONEY

The death of Mr Laurence Cooney occurred at his residence Elsie street, Gore, last week at the age of 85 years. Mr Cooney was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1858, and he arrived in New Zealand in 1874 at the age of 16. His first employment was on the farm of the late Mr D. L. Poppelwell’s father at Taieri. Some years later he went to Lawrence and later to Riverton before going to Gore to work in the grain stores of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., and J. G. Ward and Company Ltd. In 1883 Mr Cooney married Miss Annie Lonergan, and the couple lived at Gore until 1891, when they went to Wendon, where Mr Cooney took over a farm. In 1896 he moved to Balfour and was employed by the Southland County Council for 15 years at Balfour and Wyndham. When the Edendale estate was cut up into dairy farms he took a section at Brydone which he farmed successfully until failing health compelled him to retire to Gore. Mr Cooney was one of the original suppliers to the Brydone factory, and was also one of the , directors, being chairman for a time. He was also a member and later chairman of the school committee. He is survived by his wife, and of a family of 11 nine are still living.. i