Thomas Whitlock Kempthorne, (1833-3/11/1915). "now the laborer's task is o'er"

The death of Mr. T. W. Kempthorne, founder of the firm of Kempthorne Grosser, and Co., Dunedin, was very sudden. He had a paralytic seizure as he was attending a meeting of the directors of the National Insurance Co. on Tuesday, and on the following day he was dead. The deceased gentleman was born in Cornwall in 1833, and as a young man came out to Melbourne. He was sent over to Dunedin about 1863 by Messrs. H. and E. Youngman, wholesale druggists, of Melbourne, to manage a branch in New Zealand. Mr. Edward Youngman had previously arrived here, and purchased the site in Stafford-street on which Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.'s present factory stands, and, in conjunction with Mr. Isaac, founded the firm. Mr. Kempthorne had been manager for some years in Melbourne for Messrs. Benson Bros., agents for Messrs. Baiss Bros., of London. Both the Youngmans died within the next year or two, and Mr. Kempthorne was then joined by Mr. French, of Melbourne, the firm being known as Messrs. French, Kempthorne, and Co. About 1868 Mr French left the firm, and Mr. Kempthorne became associated with Messrs Prosser and Ching. The last-named, however, did not remain long in the partnership, and about 1870 the firm took the title of Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co. In 1879 the business was formed into a limited liability company, and became known as Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosser, and Company's New Zealand Drug Company (Limited) — the title which it carries to-day. Mr. Kempthorne was twice married. The funeral took place in Dunedin this morning.  -Greymouth Evening Star, 4/11/1915.

FUNERAL OF MR KEMPTHORNE

The mortal remains of Mr T. W. Kempthorne were laid to rest at the Northern Cemetery this morning. The funeral service was in St. Paul’s Cathedral at 9 o’clock, the Primate in the bishop’s chair, the Dean to read the service, the Rev. E. R. Nevill and the Rev. Vincent King assisting, Mr Haywood at the organ, and the choir leading in the psalms and hymns. There was a large attendance in the church, mostly professional and business men. The last hymn was "Now the laborer’s task is o’er," and as the recessional the Dead March from "Saul" was played. About 100 girls from the Technical School lined up on each side of Stuart street. The boys of the Technical School and the boys of the Christian Brothers’ School stood at the approach to the church as the coffin mas borne in. Then the girls retired to the school, and the boys, under their teachers, remained as a guard of honor for the exit. Forty or fifty wreaths were sent, including tokens of remembrance from Mrs J. F. M. Fraser, Mrs Leslie Wilson. Mrs McMaster, the Ewing Phosphate Company, the directors and staff of the Perpetual Trustees, the Board of Managers of the Technical School, and the headquarters and branch staffs of the New Zealand Drug Company. The pall-bearers mere Mr J. A. Park, Mr J. Moloney, Mr W. E. Reynolds, Mr E. C. Reynolds, Mr J. Stark, and Mr Angus Marshall. The delegates of the cathedral chapter were Captain Easther, Mr D. M. Spcdding, and Mr R. 8.-Williams. In the procession mere mrny representative citizens with whom Mr Kempthorne was wont to associate in business or personal relationships, including the Hon. J. R. Sinclair, Mr John Roberts, C.M.G., Mr John Loudon, Mr C. Holdsworth, Mr A. H. Fisher, Mr Robert Glendining, Dr Colquhoun, Mr John Mill. Dr Martin, Mr S. T. Mirams, Mr G. C. Israel. Mr J. McFarlane, Mr Peter Barr, Mr A. McKerrow, Mr G. L. Denniston, Mr W. Gow, Mr H. F. Sincock., Mr J. Lethbridge, Mr A. James, Mr G. Fenwick. Mr W. Brown, Mr E. Roberts, Mr C. Wilson, Mr F. W. Mitchell, Dr Ogston, Mr A. Bathgate, Mr J. W. Henton, Mr G. M. Thomson, Mr T. S. Graham, Mr T. Scott. Mr A. Burt. Mr J. A. Haslett. Mr H. E. Williams, Mr J. Hatch, Mr J. McIndoe, Mr J. Hunter, and numbers of others who have to do with the management of firms and companies. Mr F. M. Oldham accompanied Mrs Gibbs and other ladies of the family who were able to be present. The Primate conducted the service at the cemetery.  -Evening Star, 5/11/1915.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.