Thomas Head Stocker (1838 - 1915)

Born 1838 in Axmouth, East Devon District, Devon, England

Husband of Hephzibah (Harris) Stocker — married 2 Apr 1866 in St Martin in the Fields, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 31 Oct 1915 at about age 77 in Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Thomas Head Stocker was born in 1838.

He passed away in 1915.

His obituary was published in the newspaper:

OBITUARY.

MB. T. H. STOCKER. The death of Mr T. H. Stocker. of Timaru, removes a settler who had resided in Canterbury for 49 years, and one who played a very useful part in the pioneer work of the province. For many years he had a dairy farm at Washdyke, but for the past lew years has been living retired in Timaru —a retirement which was well earned after a long period of strenuous work.

The late Mr Stocker, of "Devon Farm," Washdyke, was born in Devonshire, England. in 1838, and was brought up to country life. He arrived at Lyttelton in 1866 by the ship “Blue Jacket" and first settled in North Canterbury, where he was farming, chiefly on his own account at Rangiora, Leeston and Halswel!. In 1879 Mr Stocker removed to the Timaru district, where he has since resided. He did not take a prominent part in public affairs though he was always keenly interested in them. He served on the Halswell and Washdyke School Committees and was a member of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He took a very close interest in all matters pertaining to the land and stock, and was a successful farmer, and a good neighbour. A man of cheery disposition, it was at all times a pleasure to meet and talk with him. He was one who never looked on the dark side of things, and his optimism never miscarried, being of a kind which is a valuable asset in any community.

Mr Stocker was married in 1866 to a daughter of the late Mr Thomas Harris, of Devonshire. England, and is survived by his wife and nine children, who will have the sympathy of a host of friends in their loss. Deceased's eldest son, the late Mr Thomas Stocker, of Orari, lost his life a few years ago as the result of his fishing hut catching fire. His eldest surviving son is Mr A. F. Stocker of Washdyke: the other sons are all well known in the district. ^[1]

He is buried in Timaru cemetery. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15798, 2 November 1915, Page 4
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166581747/thomas-head-stocker: accessed 02 September 2022), memorial page for Thomas Head Stocker (1838–31 Oct 1915), Find a Grave Memorial ID 166581747, citing Timaru Cemetery, Timaru, Timaru District, Canterbury, New Zealand; Maintained by Cyndi (contributor 47314338) .

• Ancestry.com. Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020. Ancestry Record 61867 #1754949
• [https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
• Death 1915/9296 Stocker Thomas Head 77Y