BIOGRAPHY
Heinrich Friederich Johann Korte, known as Henry, was the eldest son of Christopher and Mary Korte, born in 1877 at Upper Moutere. Henry attended Beaconsfield School in the Manawatu, and in 1887 completed Standard 3. He never married.
Henry and his brothers, Fred and Christopher, settled in
Matawai, near Gisborne, on a 965 acre bush block leased from the government by their father in 1902. They started clearing the land, constructed a small single roomed building to live in, and started farming. The lease was transferred to Henry and his brothers Chris and Fred in 1905. Henry was active in organising local social events while living at Matawai, being secretary of the Matawai Sports Club. The club held annual sports days. Henry, who played the accordion, and other Matawai men provided dance music at local dances. Henry also had a good voice and was reported to have provided songs at the opening of the
first Matawai Hall in 1910.
Details of the
Matawai farm, called
Ruanui, can be seen on a separate page.
Henry returned to Taranaki to run his deceased father's dairy farm at
Awatuna, but also continued to visit Matawai regularly and remain involved in local affairs. Henry transferred his interest in the Matawai lease to his brothers Fred and Chris on 15 November 1913.
In August 1935 Henry visited his brothers in Matawai (see report below), before travelling with his brother and nephew to Wellington. Henry died about a month later in September 1935 at the Lenishham Private Hospital, Wellington of cancer in the stomach, and was buried at Kaponga, Taranaki.
MATAWAI NEWS
Mr. Henry Korte, sen., who has been visiting his brothers at Matawai, recently left for Wellington. He was accompanied by Mr. F. W. Korte and Master H. Korte, jun., who is taking advantage of the invitation from the correspondence school to visit the school and be escorted round Wellington, in the furtherance of his secondary education.
Source: Poverty Bay Herald, 5 September 1935, Page 14.
PERSONALS
Passengers who travelled by the East Coast Airways plane to Napier on Tuesday included: .... H. T. J. Korte, H. Korte, F. Korte, ....
Source: Gisborne Times, 29 August 1935, Page 4.
Report of Death
The death occurred at Lewisham Hospital, Wellington, of Mr Henry Korte, well known throughout South Taranaki. Mr Korte was born at Moutere, Nelson, and in his boyhood came to Awatuna, where his mother, who is nearly 84 years of age, still resides. Mr Korte's father died some years ago. Mr Fred Korte and Mr Chris Korte, brothers of the deceased, reside in the Gisborne district, and there are four sisters of the deceased, namely, Mrs Brandt (Awatuna), Mrs Schultz (Eltham), Mrs J. Gatenby (Mangatoki) and Mrs Drogemuller. The funeral took place at Kaponga on Friday afternoon and was largely attended. Pall-bearers were Messrs. M. Bourke, L. Corbett, H. McCarrison, J. Corey, J. H. Phillips, and W. Graham. As the cortege passed the Awatuna school the children lined up to pay their respects to the memory of one who had done so much on the school committee. The graveside service was conducted by the Rev. Heidrich, and there were many beautiful wreaths from all parts of Taranaki. Among very old friends who attended were Mrs Graham, senior, and Mr Jack Searle, of New Plymouth, both old residents of Awatuna.
Source: Hawera Star, 30 September 1935, Page 4.
The death occurred at Wellington of Mr. Henry Korte, who was well known all over South Taranaki. Mr. Korte was born at Moutere, Nelson, and while a boy went to Awatuna with his parents, who took up land there. His mother, Mrs. Korte, who is nearly 84 years of age, still lives at Awatuna. Mr. Korte's father died some years ago. Messrs. F. Korte and C. Korte, brothers, live at Gisborne and there are four sisters, Mesdames Brandt (Awatuna), Schultz (Eltham), J. Gatenby (Mangatoki) and Drogemuller. The funeral was held at Kaponga on Friday and there was a large attendance. The pall-bearers were Messrs. M. Bourke, L. Corbett, H. McCarrison, J. Corey, J. H. Phillips and W. Graham. As the cortege passed the Awatuna school the children lined up in respect for one who had done much on the school committee. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Heidrich. There was a large number of beautiful wreaths. Among those who attended were Mrs. Graham senr., New Plymouth, and Mr. Jack Searle, New Plymouth.
Source: Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1935, Page 10.
MATAWAI NEWS
Old residents of Matawai extend sympathy with the families of Messrs. C. and F. Korte, in their recent bereavement. Mr. Henry Korte, sen., who lived at Eltham, died on Tuesday in the Wellington Hospital. He was much esteemed by those who knew him, having been a frequent visitor to Matawai.
Source: Poverty Bay Herald, 27 September 1935, Page 8.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1877 - 1935 (58 years)
Has 8 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
[1, 2, 3, 4] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
Sources (Log in)