Death Of Pioneer Woman Settler Of The Bulls District

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 August 1948, Page 3

Death Of Pioneer Woman Settler Of The Bulls District

(0.C.) Bulls, Aug. 27. A link with the early pioneering days of Rangitikei was severed on Wednesday by the death of Mrs. Marion Mansell, widow of the late Mr. F. J. Mansell, who was a highly successful business man in Bulls for many years. Born in 1864 at Parewanui, Mrs. Mansell, who was married in 1883, was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Paulin. The Paulin family at first lived in a mud hut until their house was built Mrs. Mansell’s early schooling was carried out at the Parewanui School, situated then fronting the Raumai Drain, and latterly at Bulls. Mrs. Mansell was an able help to her husband, who set up business in a small way in Bulls displaying such enterprise that eventually he became proprietor of one of the largest stores in the township. Besides rearing a large family, Mrs. Mansell encouraged her husband in all his business enterprises and efforts for the welfare of the town. It was a proud day for her when she had the honour of pressing the master switch that first brought electric light to Bulls. The plant, which had been one of Mr. Mansell’s enterprises, was completed on his birthday, December 3, 1915, a red letter day in the history of Bulls. It might be mentioned also that this was later taken over by the Wanganui Power Board. During the 1914-18 war, Mrs. Mansell was actively associated with various patriotic efforts in Bulls and was equally generous in her sunport for similar movements during World War 11. She donated the site for the Bulls Plunket Rooms, which has been a boon to mothers in the district. She was a member of the Bulls Women’s Institute, a life member of the Rangitikei Racing Club, a former member of the Marton Jockey Club, and the Manawatu A. and P. Association. Mr. Mansell died in 1932 and a son, Cecil, i while serving in the 1914-18 war. Surviving members of the family are .Messrs. J. J. Mansell (Palmerston North), F. W. Mansell (Wellington), and T. L. Mansell (Otaki), and Mesdames C. L. Anderson (Bulls), and C. E. Stephenson (Palmerston North). There are 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at Bulls yesterday and the pallbearers were Messrs. Keith. C. B. and Peter Anderson, and Halsey Mansell (grandson), and T. Norris and R. Mackay. The service was conducted by the Rev. N. S. Barnett.