Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. John Kirkwood

Mr. John Kirkwood was born in 1838 in Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father, of the same name, was a prominent farmer, and famous as a prize-taker for Ayrshire cattle. Mr. Kirkwood came to New Zealand in 1860 by the ship “Mermaid,” and landed in Auckland. For several years he was a partner in the old firm of Messrs Graham, Kirkwood, and Co., drapers; but in 1867 he gave up that line of business and set up on his own account in the wine and spirit trade, as a wholesale merchant. In the early days Mr. Kirkwood was a pay-sergeant in the first class militia. As a Freemason he was initiated in Lodge Ara, in 1866, at Cambridge, where he built the first store and the first hotel in the Waikato. He has long been prominently connected with the Auckland Racing Club, in which he holds a life member's medal for services rendered, and was presented with a gold watch in appreciation of his integrity and judgment as handicapper. Mr. Kirkwood was a steward and committeeman for many years, and for four or five years, he held the position of judge. In 1867, Mr. Kirkwood was married to Miss Graham, sister of the late Mr. Robert Graham, sometime Superintendent of the province of Auckland. Mr. and Mrs Kirkwood have a family of three daughters.

Hanna, photo. Mr. J. Kirkwood.

Hanna, photo. Mr. J. Kirkwood.