Death of Mr David Nathan.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 August 1886, Page 6

Death of Mr David Nathan.

, >v, ".!;-• a,* AuoKidW/Augu'st^ Mb David Nathan, one of ourioldeat colonists, and for many years a prominent figure in Auckland commercial circles, died at his residence, Waterloo Quadrant, last evening. The deceased gen lemen some two years ago was, struck down with paralysis, and though he rallied for a time, the shock permanently affected his constitution, and a general decay of the physical and mental powers ensued. During the pact few days his medical attendants, Dr. Haines and Dr. Coom, observed in their patient the dread avant^eouriers of death, and though everything was done that medical science could suggest, the feeble, flickering spark expired, and the soul of a good, true man winged its way into another existence. Two of his sons, Mr L. D. Nathan and Mr Alfred Nathan, were present at the death bed, which was perfectly peaceful. Mr Nathan was a Londoner, and gained his early mercantile experiences in ihat city.. He was a nephew of the Messrs Moses,of the well-known firm of H. E. and M. Moses, of Tower Hill,London,and it wae by their advice and with their assistance that he emigrated to New Zealand aB far back as 1841. The firm of H. E. and M. Moses, it may here be interjected, have been the means of establishing several wealthy Jewish firms in this colony, the heads of which are all related to them. Mr Nathan commenced business as a storekeeper at the Bay of Islands in 1841 , and there married hie first wife, who had been a fellow^ passenger of his from England. The troubles of fleke's War caused him to remove to Auckland, and in 1845 he had established himself as a retail clothier and importer in a shop in Shortland-street, on the site that is now occupied by the capacious warehouse of Messrs ,L. , D. Nathan and Co. Directing his attention principally to the inter-colonial trade, he soon amassed wealth, and in the course of a few years was the head of the most flourishing business house in the colony. Some years ago he retired from business, his eldest son, L. D. Nathan, taking his place at the head of affairs. About tenyears ago, hia first wifehaving died he visited England, and there married Mies Montenore, a cousin to the great Jewish philanthropist. All his children were by his first wife, and they were all born in this city. These are Lawrence D. Nathan, Alfred Nathan, the present heads of the firm, and tw.) daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth. The first married Mr Benjamin, of Melbourne, and is now a widow, and the second, Mr Harris, of the firm of Bing, Harris and Co., of Dunedin. The deceased was noted for his great goodness of heart and his strict business integrity. Though a staunch Hebrew, his charities were not limited by his creed, and many people in Auckland have had occasion to be grateful to him for his generous sympathy in times of distress. He was a zealous supporter of the Auckland Synagogue, and was for many years President thereof. He was also, for » long time, a trustee of the Auckland Savings' Bank, his commercial knowledge proving of great assistance to that institution. He always declined to take any part whatever in public affairs, even objecting to fulfil the light duties appertaining to the Commission of the Peace. The deceased- is reported to have left a quarter of a million of money to his family. Today the flags on the shipping and on the flagstafFd about the city were flying halfmast high, out of respect, for the memory of the deceased. The funeral of the deceased will take place to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock, the remains being interred in the Jewish cemetery, Symonds-Btreet. The funeral obsequies will be conducted by the Rev. Rabbi Goldstein. August 25. The funeral cortege was one of the largest that has been seen in Auckland. There were over seventy carriages, in which were the principal representative men of the city.