Whiteman, John

Marriage Details
1875/1856, Bride: Matilda Jane Symons, Groom: John Whiteman

Death Details
1934/1614, John Whiteman, Aged: 84Y - Date of Death 14/11/1934 from Death Registration

Evening Post 14 November 1934
WHITEMAN.- On Wednesday, November 14, 1934, at his late residence, Main Road, Upper Hutt, John, dearly beloved husband of Matilda Jane Whitemen; aged 84 years.
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MR. JOHN WHITEMAN
A link with the early days of Wellington is severed by the death today of Mr. John Whiteman, aged 84, at his residence, Main Road, Upper Hutt. The name of "Whiteman" is well known in Wellington, but more especially in the Hutt Valley, with which the family has been identified over a long period of years.
It has been said of John Whiteman that his complete biography would be practically a history of the Hutt Valley under pakeha rule. He saw the valley pass from bush to farm and from farm to suburb. It is recorded that a pighunting adventure of his grandfather and his father caused the family name to be attached to Whiteman''s Valley.
The late Mr. Whiteman was born, at Taita in 1850, and he was married in 1875. One of first events in his life was his rescue from the upper storey of the shaking home then occupied by the family near the site of Mason''s Gardens. With his father he followed the timber industry almost continuously — the Hutt Valley having little else to offer in those days — but for his father the Maori War provided an incident apart. Father and son followed milling into the Mangaroa and into the Akatarawa. After the death of his father, John Whiteman carried on with his own stalwart sons, all good bushmen, but a new industry, farming, was gradually replacing, sawmilling, and the young generation became skilled at both. In the later nineties the interests of the family became predominantly concerned with grass, sheep, and cows.
For many years Mr. Whiteman was a member of the Hutt County Council. He was a councillor for about 25 years.
When Mr. Whiteman retired as a councillor in 1926 he was succeeded by a son, Mr. J. M. Whiteman, who remained as a councillor until his death in April, 1932.
The deceased is survived by his wife, five sons, and four daughters - Messrs. C. Whiteman, A. Whiteman, Frank Whiteman, Fred. Whiteman, all of Upper Hutt, and P. Whiteman, Feilding; and Mrs. Alex. Lee, Lower Hutt, Mrs. V. Rapley and Mrs. W. Rapley, Tauranga, and Mrs. E. Baigent, Tauranga.

Evening Post 17 November 1934
MR. JOHN WHITEMAN
The esteem in which the late Mr. John Whitcman was held was shown, by the large attendance at his funeral yesterday afternoon. There was a crowded attendance at the service in St. John''s Church, Trentham, and there was a long line of cars in the cortege. The service at the church and at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. G. V. Kendrick. The pallbearers were Messrs. Frank, Fred, Charles Alfred, Percy, and Neville Whiteman. Among those present were Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., the Rev. N. Barnett, Mr. J. J. Maher, and Mr. H. Dyer, overseer (representing the Hutt County Council), Mr. W. Greig. and Mr. G. H. Guthrie (Upper Hutt Borough Council),'' Mr. A. J. Mazergarb, Mr. R. L. Macalister, and Mr. J. T. Benge.
Feeling reference to Mr. Whiteman''s death was made at the meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council last evening by the Mayor (Mr. A. J. McCurdy). Mr. McCurdy said that the late Mr. Whiteman was an old resident of the district, and represented the district before it was established as a Town Board. He did a great deal of good work, and had an excellent reputation for honesty and integrity. Councillor W. Greig also paid a tribute to the services of the late Mr. Whiteman, and it was decided to send a letter of appreciation of his work and of condolence in their loss to his widow and family. Councillors stood in silence as a mark of respect.
Mr. Whiteman''s death was also referred to by the chairman (Mr. D. R. Hoggard) at yesterday''s meeting of the Hutt County Council, of which Mr. Whiteman was a former member. The late Mr. Whiteman, said Mr. Hoggard, had been a member of the council for a longer period than any other member. He was highly respected in the district, and was esteemed by his colleagues. He was a genial, kindly man, and was one for whom the speaker had the utmost respect and affection. A vote of sympathy was passed to the widow and family in their bereavement, the motion being carried in silence.


Probate John Whiteman, Place: Upper Hutt, Occ: Farmer, AAOM 6029 55637, Filed: 22/11/1934, Will, Archives NZ, Wellington