OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 16 July 1929, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR WILLIAM HORTON The late Mr William Horton, whose death occurred last week, was one of the old pioneers of the Nelson and Marlborough provinces (says the "Express"). Horn in Nelson in 1844, he spent the early part of his life there and >n the Takaka and Collingwood districts. At the age of 10 he was apprenticed to the shoe-making trade in Nelson and continued at this occupation until 1862, when, seized with the wanderlust, he and a companion set out for the Wairau via Tophouse. On reaching Blenheim, he opened a shoe making business on his own account, his premises being adjacent to the old Marlborough Hotel. Later he look over the manufacturing and repair department of Mrs Penney's business. This position he held for a number of years, during which time the bus'liess passed over to Messrs Wriglevs and subsequently to the late Mr J. J. Wensley. After continuing in Mr Wersley's employ for a mumber of years, Mr Horton nurchased the business, then known as the "lied Boot Mart." Fourteen \ears of steady and determined progress followed this venture, and just prior to the war. Mr Horton decided to go on the land. He commenced dairy farming in Wairon. Hawkes Bay, and after several years there moved on to the Bay rf Plenty district. Eight years absence was sufficient, however, and in W2O. af ter the death of his wife, he sir.'iveJ hack in Blenheim, and took un his resi der.ee with ''is daughter, Mrs J. Adams. where he lived up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Foresters' Lrxlee for over 60 years. He leaves a grown-up family of four sons, six daughters, and a number of grandchildren and great srandrhild'en. Two daughters have predeceased him.