Henry Wilson, (1824-8/3/1924). "widely known and highly respected"

OBITUARY

MR HENRY WILSON. 

One of Southland’s very earliest settlers, in the person of Mr Henry Wilson, of Wilson’s Crossing, passed away at the residence of his niece, Mrs Jamieson, Awarua, yesterday. Mr Wilson was in his hundredth year and had he lived would have celebrated his hundredth birthday in September next. Few could lay claim to a longer residence in Southland than the deceased gentleman, who came out to New Zealand in the year 1858. He was among the early arrivals at the Gabriel’s Gully diggings. Shortly afterwards he bought a team of horses and commenced business as a carrier to the goldfields and drove to the Dunstan and Wakatipu for many years. He afterwards settled at Wilson's Crossing, the settlement there being named after him. He was very widely known and highly respected throughout Southland and also had many friends m other parts of the Dominion. He was a typical pioneer and until a short time before his death enjoyed wonderfully good health. An interesting and rather remarkable coincidence is related by Mr Jamieson, with whom Mr Wilson had resided during the last few years. While in Dunedin some time ago he entered into conversation with an old gentleman who had many interesting stories to tell of the early days at the diggings. After mentioning the names of several of those who had been at the diggings with him the old gentleman recalled the name of Mr Henry Wilson with whom he had worked. “But,” he continued, “I don’t suppose be will be living now. He was 20 years older than me and I’m just on 80.” When Mr Jamieson mentioned that Mr Wilson was hale and well and that he was staying with him, the old gentleman expressed a desire to visit Awarua and see him. Accordingly the two men spent several happy hours in each other’s company, recounting their experiences together.  -Southland Times, 10/3/1924.

DEATHS

WILSON. — At the residence of his niece, Mrs Jamieson, Awarua, on Saturday March Bth, 1924, Henry Wilson, of Wilson’s Crossing; in his 100th year. The funeral will leave Awarua at 1 p.m. on Monday 10th inst, passing Kingsland and Ferguson’s premises, Spey street, at 2 p.m. for the Wallacetown new cemetery. Friends please accept this, the only intimation. Kingsland and Ferguson, Undertakers.  -Southland Times, 10/3/1924.

Wallacetown Cemetery.