OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 300, 28 January 1910, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. EDWARD OKEY: Aetat 82,

Mr. Edward Okey, one of New Plyearly settlers, passed away yesterday at the residence of his son, Mr. Harry Okey, M.P., on the Frankley road. Whilst not looming in the public eye as a puuiie mail, Mr. Okey was very well known, 'and very highly respected by ail with whom he came in contact during the course of his business lite, which extended over a period of about forty years. His name stood in all things for honesty and integrity. The late Mr. Okey was born at Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, in 1827, and married jii:llßsG, coming out to New Zealand '''shortly afterwards and landing here in April, 1857. At the time, of his arrival there' was little to do in the ia-ado, Ifc bait, adopted—that of a painter and paperhanger —and he worked for some time as a sawmiller with Mr. Geo. Patterson on the Frankley road. In ISGO tile settlers were driven into town by the Maoris, and he bore his share of the military service and settlers' worries which followed. lie was a member of the militia, and was present at several engagements with the Maoris, including Mahoetahi, Johnny's Flat and lluirangi. During the course of the war he followed his trade when not required to bear arms. Things settled down in .ISGG, and ho settled down as a farmer on a piece of land on the Frankley mad which he had bought before the outbreak of hostilities. After eight years' rural life, he moved once more into Ne,v Plymouth, and entered into business. In 1879 lie 'took his son, Mr. E. N. L. Okey into partnership, and the firm traded as Okey and Son for a number of years in the premises now occupied by Mr. Syices, chemist. Mr. Arnold subsequently joined the firm, which then em. braced the ironmongery trade, under the title of Okey, Son and Arnold. A section was secured, and the present premises built. Mr. Okey took an active part in the business, and his activity was often quoted by people who marvelled lit the preservation of his physical and mental powers to such an advanced age. \ .j Mr. Okey was prominent in the life of the Methodist Church, and filled the office of steward for a great many years. For over thirty years he was a member of the choir, and for upwards of forty years a tegular and enthusiastic Sunday School worker, lie was a member of the Loyal Egmont Lodge of Oddfellows, and of the De Bnrgli Adams 'Masonic Lodge. Ilis only public position was that of chairman of the Frankley Road Board, in which position he was .succeeded by his son, Mr. Harry Okey, ■who lielTl it for over 20 years. Mr. Okey leaves A widow and a grown-up family of six—Mrs. F. Stohr, of New Plymouth: Mrs. Leonard Bullot. of SvdneV; Messrs E. X. F. Okev. TI. OkW. M.P.. and F. W. Okey. of New Plymouth. raid Alfred Okey. of Grevmouth.