BIOGRAPHY
Samuel McLernon
A biography for Samuel McLERNON (1854-1926) is also available on
my blog site, prepared in 2013.
Samuel McLernon was born in 1854, the second son and fourth child of James McLERNON and Ann McCOMB from Carmavy near Belfast. According to the
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1908) James McLernon was a builder. Samuel was educated at Coleraine and Belfast, and became a manufacturing jeweller. In 1875, aged 21, he obtained an assisted passage and emigrated to New Zealand on the ship Dunedin. On arrival in Auckland, Samuel obtained work with Henry Kohn, an Auckland Queen Street Jeweller.
In April 1876 Samuel moved to Hamilton and opened a Jewellery shop. He advertised first class workmanship, punctuality, and attention to business. He repaired watches and clocks, providing a warranty they would keep correct time for 12 months. Jewellery was also repaired. He advertised an assortment of clocks for sale. Agents in Cambridge, Ngaruawahia and Hamilton East could send clocks and jewellery for repairs.
In August 1876 Samuel married Mary Jane SOMMERS in Auckland. Mary was the youngest daughter of John T. C. Somers of Dromore, Mallow, County Cork and niece of the Ralph Somers, Government Inspector of Telegraphs in Belfast. The couple had six children while living in Hamilton between 1877 and 1886.
Samuel purchased and opened a watch and jewellery business in Gladstone Road, Gisborne in December 1884. The Hamilton business was closed in November 1888 and the family then moved to Gisborne. Samuel and Mary had three more children while living in Gisborne.
In May 1890 Samuel was elected to the Gisborne Borough Council and he remained on the council until moving to Napier. During 1894-1896 he was a member of the Waiapu Licensing Bench, a body that administered hotel licenses to sell alcohol in the Gisborne district. Samuel was also on the school committee for the Gisborne District High School.
The McLernon family moved to Napier about 1897 after Samuel McLernon purchased a Napier jewellery and watch business in August 1896. He continued to operate the Gisborne business with a manager after moving to Napier. In 1903 he erected a new building in Hastings Street for the Napier business. The Gisborne and Napier jewellery businesses continued to operate until 1920.
In February 1898 Samuel was elected to the Hawke's Bay Education Board and represented the Northern Ward that contained the Gisborne and district schools for several years. He was also chairman of the local holiday association for several years, and at different times took part in the management of various public bodies.
Samuel died in 1926 and was buried in the Park Island Cemetery, Napier. Mary died in Gisborne while at her daughter's residence in 1937.
OBITUARY
Many people in Gisborne will deeply regret to hear of the death of Mr. Samuel McLernon, of Napier, who was for many years a resident of this town, and was held in the highest respect and esteem. Mr. McLernon came to New Zealand 62 years ago in the ship Dunedin, being then at the age of ten, and settled in the Waikato, where he established a jeweller's business. He removed from Hamilton to Gisborne over 20 years ago, and opened business in the Union Bank buildings. He took an active part in the business life of the town, serving as a member of the Borough Council and on educational bodies. He was esteemed by all as a man of sound judgment and sterling qualities, with the kindliest nature, and he and his wife left many sincere friends behind when they removed to Napier some twenty years ago. There Mr. McLernon established and carried on a high-class jewellery store. He engaged actively in public affairs, and for many years sat as a member of the Hawke's Hay Education Hoard. Mr. McLernon had been in failing health for some time past. He was anticipating celebrating his golden wedding on August 28, but the hope was not realised. Great sympathy will he extended to Mrs. McLernon and family in their bereavement. The family comprises four sons and two daughters: Messrs. Ross and Aubrey McLernon (Canada), Harry McLernon (Gisborne), Nevill McLernon (East Coast); Mrs. Harry Gillies (Hamilton), and Mrs. H. Primrose (Gisborne).
Source: Poverty Bay Herald, 7 August 1926, Page 6.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1854 - 1926 (71 years)
Has 6 ancestors and 77 descendants in this family tree.
[1, 2, 3] 
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Sources (Log in)