PIONEERS OF INGLEWOOD

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1932, Page 5

PIONEERS OF INGLEWOOD

MR. AND MRS. JACOB THERKLESON

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATED. The days of the foundation of Inglewood in 1875 were recalled when Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Therkleson celebrated their diamond wedding at their residence in golden wedding at their residence in Davidson Street, New Plymouth, on Wednesday. The children and grandchildren assembled in honour of the occasion. In spite of their years—Mr. Therkleson is 85 and his wife 83—the couple looked very well, and entered into the spirit of the celebration.

Mr. and Mrs. Therkleson were.born in Denmark and left for New Zealand, by the German ship Humboldt, arriving at Wellington in February, 1875, coming on to New Plymouth a few days later by the s.s. Wellington. After a short spell in the Immigration Barracks on Marsl&nd Hill, awaiting the burning of the fallen forest over the site of Ingle.wood, Mr. Therkleson proceeded to Inglewood. Mrs. Therkleson followed a month or two later, per bullock dray, which suffered disaster in fording the .Waiongona River. Having been lucky in securing a section of the Wortley Road they moved on to this land, living in a punga whare, and started to make a clearing and a home. The following summer (1876) the bush was burnt off and a more comfortable habitation made-from split pine slabs was built and they were properly started on their colonial life. Having secured permanent employment in Inglewood the family removed there in 1883. In 1883 Mr. Therkleson moved on- to Tariki, establishing himself in business as a general storekeeper at the corner-of Mountain and Tariki Roads, and built up by honest dealing and close attention a successful business, from’’ which he retired in 1920.

Members of the family present were:. Sons: John and Frank (New Plymouth), Charles (Tariki) and Thomas (Tariki Road)," with their, wives. Daughters: Mrs. Arthur Fenwick (Inglewood), Mrs. VV. H. Fenwick (Fitzroy), Mrs. A. Sorrenson (Oaonui), and Mrs. Nordbye (Dannevirke) and their husbands, and many grand-children. The only guests outside the family were the' Rev. Clarence Eaton and Mrs. Eaton, and Mr. W. H. Skinner.

At the suggestion of the family Mr. Skinner, whose acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Therkleson dated back to the foundation days of Inglewood in 1875, offered his congratulations to the worthy couple, who retained the respect and esteem of all. old. and new acquaintances.

Mr. Eaton also offered his congratulations and conveyed' the good wishes of the Whiteley .Church congregation to the couple. ■