James Close (1843 - 1919)

Born 1843 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Jane (Harding) Close — married 26 Sep 1872 in Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 15 Apr 1919 at about age 76 in Feilding, New Zealand

Biography

Auckland Star 27th September 1872 page 2 [1]

MARRIAGES

CLOSE - HARDING - on September 26th at Papatoitoi by the Rev. George Buttle, James, youngest son of Mr John Close to Jane, eldest daughter of Mr John Harding of Mount Vernon, Hawke's Bay, N.Z.

Close Brothers - grocers in Queen Street Auckland

Northern Advocate 16.4.1919 p:2 [2]

As we go to press information is received that Mr. James Close, a well known stock breeder, formerly of Ngaheia, and latterly of Ngahuhu, Bay of Islands, passed peacefully away at Feilding on the afternoon of the 15th. Mr. Close’s original homestead at Ngaheia was well-known all over the North, and he himself was known as a keen and practical, as well as most successful farmer. After disposing of his property to Mr Jones, of Kakaramea in 1911, Mr. Close farmed at Ngahuha, where he resided till January of last year, when he retired from active work on the occasion of the acquisition of his property by the Government as a returned soldiers' settlement. Before taking up his residence with his son at Feilding, Mr. Close took an extended tour through Australasia. He was widely esteemed for his unassuming character and high integrity, and was predeceased by his wife, formerly Miss Harding. He is survived by two sons, Mr Arthur T. Close, part owner of the well-known Remuera Estate, Ohaeawai, and Mr J. Ernest Close who latterly had the management of his father's properties.

Feilding Star 16.4.1919 p:2 [3]

The death took place at his son’s residence in West Street yesterday, of all old Auckland identity in Mr, James Close. Mr. Close arrived in Now Zealand with his family in 1860 from Yorkshire. He started in Queen street, Auckland, the well-known firm of Close Bros., which was continued till! 1894. Mr. Close, on severing his connection with the business, retired to his property at Ngaheia, Bay of Islands, residing there until last year, when the Government purchased the property for returned soldiers. Mr Close then came to Feilding to reside with his son. Mr Ernest Close. As a breeder of Romney sheep and Shorthorn cattle, the late Mr Close probably did more than any settler in North Auckland to raise the standard of stock there, and to show what the district was capable of producing. A little over a week ago Mr. Close was seized with a paralytic stroke and did not recover consciousness, death intervened yesterday afternoon. His wife predeceased him by nine years. She was the eldest daughter of the late John Harding, of Mt. Vernon. Waipukurau. Two sons survive; Mr Arthur Close of Remuera Estate, Bay of Islands and Mr Ernest Close of Feilding. The remains will be interred at the Wanganui Cemetery to-morrow afternoon.

Sources

• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1872/4419 - Jane Harding & James Close
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1919/4063 - Close James aged 76 years