Francis Andrew (1842 - 1899)

Born 1842 in Cromwell, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Watson) Andrew — married 22 Sep 1864 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 17 Nov 1899 at about age 57 in Otahuhu, South Auckland, New Zealand

Biography

Frank Andrew is buried in Otahuhu Cemetery, row 1 plot 47, with his wife Mary and their son William Robert Andrew with his wife Louie, and son-in-law John Ferguson.

New Zealand Herald 20th November 1899 page 5 [1]

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. FRANK ANDREW

The funeral of the late Mr. Frank Andrew (senior partner of the firm of F. Andrew, Sons, and Co., grain and produce merchants and bus proprietors) took place yesterday afternoon from his late residence, Otahuhu, and was the most representative and largely attended funeral which has ever taken place in the history of Otahuhu. All denominations were represented. The deceased, although not a member ot the Salvation Army (being a Presbyterian by training), had been a staunch friend and liberal supporter of the Army and their social work from the very outset of their operations in the district and in accordance with his dying request, Adjutant Williams of the Salvation Army Prison Gate Brigade Home, conducted the burial service and the Army buried him. The Salvation Army headquarters sent out two bands to Otahuhu, the City and Newton, as a mark of respect to his memory. Owing to the large assemblage Adjutant Williams was unable to conduct the preliminary service in the residence, and the coffin was brought out and placed in the public street so that all could see and hear. Shortly before three o'clock the funeral cortege moved off for the Otahuhu public cemetery.

Salvationists with their bands preceding the hearse, then the hearse, followed by six mourning carriages with the chief mourners and relatives. The former were the widow, the six sons and two daughters (Mrs. Gladding and Miss Andrew), the third daughter, Mrs. Hunter, of Coromandel, being unable to attend through the gale prevailing at that port Mr. John Watson of Ponsonby (deceased's father-in-law) and his brothers in-law, Messrs. Bond, Willis and Swain. Then followed the employees of the firm, about 70 strong, and the general public. There were about 100 carriages and other vehicles in addition to a number of mounted settlers from all the various country districts, from Onehunga to Howick, Pakaranga, Mangere, Ihumatao, Woodside, Papatoetoe, Papakura, Hunua Ranges and from Waikato as far as Cambridge, in addition to old settlers from Auckland city, and suburbs. Among those present were: Mr. Massey M.H.R. (member for the district), Mr. Kidd (member of City Council), Mr. Samuel Luke (member of the Board of Education), members of the various local bodies, the various Auckland bus proprietors or their representatives, Mr J. S. Kidd (manager of the Auckland Tramways Company), while Mr. W. Paterson represented Paterson and Co. of the North Shore, Dr. Rowley, Messrs. T. and C. Buddle, F. A. White, Cousins (of Cousins and Atkin), Kent (of Newmarket), and many others. The residents of the township turned out en masse, and the head of the cortege had reached the cemetery before the rear had got almost clear of the township, being nearly a mile in length. At the grave Adjutant Williams, Major Bennett, and Mr. Hildreth delivered brief addresses. Mrs. Major Bennett sang the sacred song “Will You be There?" while the bands played the favourite hymns “Rock of Ages" "Safe in the Arms of Jesus” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and “Yes, We'll Meet Beyond the River" Representative men from the respective stables of the firm, of Otahuhu, city, Mount Roskill, and Avondale, bore the coffin from the residence to the hearse, and from the hearse to the grave, at their special request as a mark of respect to their old employer, while the pall-bearers were representatives from the various departments of the firm. The casket, which was of polished Kauri with handsome silver mountings, was by Mr. Farnsworth, undertaker, of Otahuhu, who supervised the funeral arrangements. It was buried in wreaths, over 70 in number, sent by sympathising friends. Four beautiful wreaths were sent by the office staff and the employees at the respective stables of the firm. There were from 1000 to 2000 people at the service in the cemetery. Flags were at half-mast in the township during the day. Otahuhu mourns the loss of a typical settler-neighbourly, generous, self-reliant, and energetic. If he had been spared, he contemplated getting Otahuhu lighted with gas or electricity and on his recent trip to Europe for his health, one of the matters which engaged his attention was investigating the working of the auto-mobile car in London and on the Continent, with a view when the invention was perfected, of introducing these cars into use in Auckland. The. family have received a number of telegrams of condolence from various parts of the province, and also from the various centres of population in the South, where he was well known from his extensive business relations.

An in memoriam service, largely attended, was held at the Salvation Army Barracks, Otahuhu last evening, when kindly allusion was made to Mr. Andrew's death, and his services to tho Army. A similar service was held at the Albert Street Barracks, Auckland, when feeling reference was made to the deceased's happy death, his largeness of heart, nobility of character and to his helpfulness to those worsted in the battle of life. A suitable address was given, and appropriate hymns sung.

Sources

• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1864/9230 - Mary Watson & Francis Andrew
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1899/5857 - Andrew Francis aged 57 years