THE LAST OF HIS HOUSE.

Shannon News, 16 August 1927, Page 4

THE LAST OF HIS HOUSE.

SWEDISH KNIGHT DIES AT EKETAHUNA.

(Eketahuna Express)

To few’, in any land, of any race, is it given to trace their ancestry in unbroken line through nearly eight cen turios, but such was the lineage of the late Albert Gustaf Frederick Jagerhorn, the last of an illustrious house. From private papers left by deceased and from the Swedish Knight’s Calendar it is learned that the family first became prominent in the year 1160, when, in the reign of King Eric the Holy, one Eotken Ing-’sfau was appointed swordsman to the King. In the year 1300 the family split into tw T o branches, the House of Sporilla and the House of Storby. It was to the latter than Mr Jagerhorn belonged.. The family Coat of Arms was a bugle and the memory of the service rendered to their country is perpetuated to this day by the use of this heraldic device on Swedish stamps. The papers left by Mr Jagerhorn state that the Coat of Arms became theirs w’hen in a campaign against Denmark, one Rotken Ingesfau, "by timely sounding of the bugle turned the tide to victory over a Danish detachment of cavalry. Coming down to his more immediate ancestry, the late Mr Jagerhorn’s grandfather was General-in-Charge of the 25th Royal South Sonska Infantry, which fought in Bernadotte’s army under Karl Johann, King of Sweden in 1813, when with 30,000 Sw-edes lie went into Germany; and was in Belgium in the Napoleonic Wars. As a Colonel attached to the Swedish Army, the father of the late Mr Jagerhorn, was on active service when the latter was born.

The late Mr Jagerhorn was born in Malmo, Sweden, in 1846, and was educated at a Swedish University. He left home when his father re-married and'arrived in New Zealand on the ship Halyciona on which he was interpreter, in July of 1873, landing at Wellington. He afterwards came to the Forty Mile Bush as interpreter to the Scandinavians. Later he was in a survey party with Mr Munro, Government engineer and Mr Samuel Begg (since knighted and now a black and white artist of note in England, and whose friendship he kept through life). He was Government valuer for many years and was very popular with the Maoris and a great friend of the chief Wi Waka, after whom a settlement was named. Many are the tales lie used to tell of this period of his life and he often recalled the flood of 1874 when, at Konini, he and Mr Begg had to take refuge in a tree, and spend the night there until rescued by the Maoris next day. In the late seventies, he was interpreter, and in charge of working gangs bushfelling, scrub-cutting, etc.) at the Brancepeth Estate, in the early eighties lie took up land at Mauriccville W., and married shortly afterwards. His wife died on the birth of a son and he then sold the farm and bought a boarding house in Manners Street, Wellington, but not being used -to business lie was very soon relieved of his small fortune by staff and guests alike, and, everything lost, he returned to Eketahuna in 1889 here lie remained untii his death. By 'many old residents in the back country, he will be remembered as a census taker, and scrutineer at various elections. Until his 80th year lie was local agent for the Commercial Union Assurance and at different times was employed in the offices of Page and Page, Dalgety’s, and Abraham and Williams, and for some years prior to and until 13 days before his death, he was in charge of the local office of the W.F.C.A., Ltd., Stock Department, so that he practically died in harness, his salary arriving after his decease. Ilis only son, George Gustaf, went away with the Main Body and fought at Gallipoli. He was invalided home an 1 afterwards died at Victoria Hospital, Wellington, and was interred in the Soldiers’ Cemetery, Karcri. The late Mr Jagerhorn was an accomplished linguist and added a good knowledge of Maori to a more than passing acquaintance with Latin and French, and to the poetry, prose and of his own and of German literature. ' His favourite poet was Schiller and his love of the English novelist, Dickens, was deep. The keynote of his character was loyalty—to the country of his birth, to his adopted country, his countrymen in New Zealand, his employers and friends.

Deceased was interred in Eketahuna cemetery on August 3rd. With him (as the last Jagerhern of Storby and by his wish) was buried the battle-worn ting of his grandfather, and the coffin bore I lie Arms of his House. Having left Sweden to seek a fortune, and having failed, he did not wish to return. Belonging to the Sweetish House of Knights his title in England approximated that of a Marquis.