Biography of Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein of New Zealand
The beginning starting from the end:
Frederick Wilhelm Sr. died January 21 1912 at Rongotea, New Zealand at the age of 94. Here is his obituary from the newspaper, “Feilding Star” Volume VI, Issue 1700, 22 January 1912. This serves a good record to survey this first family and their locations at his death. It says he arrived in this district in 1876, the same year of their immigration. One can surmise from this that they had arrangements made in advance to come to this area. The obituary says he was a good citizen, had the respect of all his neighbours and had a strong constitution. This document indicates he had five sons and one daughter. Now, we have to make a correlation between the names given here and those above. The daughter, Emily, is obviously the now married Mrs. C. Hartley living at Wellington.
Here are the five sons:
1. William now living at Colyton (Manawatu district). This must be Frederick Wilhelm Jr. called William to distinguish him from his father who was often referred to as F.W. in the Feilding Star newspaper. 2. Amco of Patea (South Taranaki district of Taranaki region). It is unclear which of the remaining three this is. 3. Carl of Queensland (The only Queensland apparent on modern maps is near Sydney Australia. This name must be for a town no longer known by that name. It is unclear which of the remaining three this is. 4. Fred of Wellington (Wellington region). This would obviously be Ferdinand. 5. Watta of Shannon (Horowhenua district of Manawatu-Wanganui). It is unclear which of the remaining three this is.
I am only aware of one picture from this group and that is Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Jr. referred to as “William” above. The only other photo is of his son George Albert Koberstein.
Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Sr. was born on 1827 in Prussia to William and Johana nee Knospe Koberstein. He married Louise Peshke in 1847 in Prussia also. They had six children, five boys and one girl. They were all born in Prussia. Alwine (about 1853), Frederick Wilhelm Jr. (1860 in Guben), Ferdinand (1866 in Ischberg), Emilie (1867), Robert Otto Ludvig (1867) and Emil Paul (1871). They immigrated to New Zealand aboard the “Fritz Reuter” departing Hamburg April 11, 1876.
Homeland
Searching on Ancestry.com for All New Zealand, Naturalizations, 1843-1981 results for Koberstein we get 14 records. If we cross reference these with the known Family of Frederick Wilhelm Sr. we get a more detailed picture. Two of the 14 records are duplicates, leaving 12.
Name cBirth Location Nat. Date Age Residence occupation Frederick Wilhelm 1816 Prussia 29Aug1887 71 Campbelltown Farmer Sr. (1) Louise Peshke 1847 Prussia - - - Amel (1)(2) 1872 Prussia 27Mar1907 25 Rongotea Butcher Frederick Wilhelm 1860 undoubtedly - - - Jr. Prussia Ferdinand (1)(4) 1866 Ischberg, 15Nov1899 23 West Waitapu, Settler Prussia Hunterville Emilie 1867 Prussia - - - Otto (3) 1867 undoubtedly 18Oct1899 32 Ohingaiti, Settler Prussia Wanganui Emil Paul 1871 Prussia 27Mar1897 26 Rogotea Not in Frederick Wilhelm immigration family (Assume children of brother of F.W. Sr. for now) Carl Fredrich Abt.18 undoubtedly 11Nov1905 Halcombe Farmer Reinhold 53 Prussia Richard Paul Emil 1879 undoubtedly 22Jul1903 Feilding Farmer Prussia Gustav 1857 undoubtedly 23Dec1924 Palmerston Settler Prussia North Tony 1897 Yugoslavian 22Sep1938 Franklin Junction Shoe repair (1) two entries in the naturalization records (2) Amel in naturalization records appears to be Alwine in my records (3) Ludwig Robert Otto in my records (4) Also Fred in some records
Here is an reference to Richard Paul Emil (R.P.) receiving his letter of naturalization.
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 42 4 August 1903 Local and General News ... Letters of naturalizations have been issued by Colonial Secretary to R.P. Koberstein and John Mandall, both of Feilding. ...
Gustav and Karl Koberstein emigrated to New Zealand several years after Wilhelm and his family, they came from the Guben area as did Wilhelm, but due to military service were unable to leave Germany at the same time as Wilhelm and were probably younger than Wilhelm. Gustav was known to have a wooden leg as a consequence of having his leg shot off in the Franco-Prussian War whilst serving in the Prussian Army. What their relationship was with Wilhelm is unclear but they were apparently closely related. Karl had decendants living in New Zealand up until at least the late 1970`s. K(C)arl immigrated from Crosten (probably Crossen, Brandenburg, Prussia) which is now Krosno Odrzanskie, Poland (Not far from Guben) per immigartion records to New Zealand. At about the same time Gustav immigrated also.
The immigrant family of Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Sr. is also found in the Hamburg passenger lists. Here is a tabulation of the family.
Name: Wilhelm Koberstein Gender: männlich (Male) Departure Age: 49 Occupation: Arbeiter Birth Date: abt 1827 Residence: Guben, Preußen (Germany) Departure Date: 12 Apr 1876 Port of Departure: Hamburg Port of Arrival: Neu Seeland Ship Name: Fritz Reuter Captain: Peyn Shipping Clerk: C. A. Mathei Shipping line: Rob. M. Sloman & Co. Ship Type: Segelschiff Ship Flag: Deutschland Accommodation: ohne Angabe Volume: 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 033 A Household Members: Name Age (calculated birth date) Wilhelm Koberstein 49 (1827) Louise Koberstein 45 (1831) Alwine Koberstein 23 (1853) Wilhelm Koberstein 16 (1860) Emilie Koberstein 14 (1862) Ferdinand Koberstein 9 Jahre 9 Monate (July 1866) Otto Koberstein 8 Jahre 9 Monate (July 1867) Emil Koberstein 5 (1871) Here is the image for this:
I also found an interesting story about another family that appeared to arrive on the same ship same date:
The family name of FABICH originated from the small town of Pomeranian, KOKOSZKI, in Poland. On arrival of migrants to New Zealand the surname was changed to FABISH
There was a sudden end to assisted immigration in 1876 (the year the *FABICH/FABISH family arrived), which was terrible for all emigrants who NZ had accepted - as they had sold their possessions and given the required three months’ notice to employers. *Because most were illiterate the spelling of names can vary. The Prussian Government forced the shipping companies to send these emigrants to New Zealand anyway. Some families thought they were going to America to join their relations but ended up in New Zealand.
On board the Fritz Reuter the sleeping quarters were like coffins placed one on top of the other with an open end into which the sleeper wriggled feet first with one's head in the open space. Imagine the discomfort they endured crowded into such a small space and no such thing as sea sickness tablets. I would die after a couple of days. This voyage to NZ took 110 days with no fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, milk or meat. I am sure the resourceful Polish caught fresh fish. Overcrowded and poorly ventilated living cubicles resulted in illnesses like measles, smallpox, and scarlet fever, diarrhea, etc. Children and babies often became ill and died on these voyages. There were about 516 passengers on this second voyage to NZ of the Fritz Reuter.
The Fritz Reuter sailed into Wellington on 4 August 1876. Simon FABICH, his brother, sister, niece and many other families from Kokoschken, Pomerania , Poland (now called Kokoszkowy), were on the Fritz Reuter. Augustin FISCHER and his daughter Maria Anna from Switzerland , Gabriel Mathias DODUNSKI & his family from Gremblin , Poland were also aboard. The German Empires Consul in Wellington was Frederick August Krull and he had to beg for assistance from the NZ Government, to feed and accommodate all the people. Very unwillingly the NZ Minister of Immigration allowed some people to use the immigration barracks and provided a few days rations.
The Koberstein family had been living in Guben, Prussia. In the late 19th century it had a population around 10,000. Here is a modern map of this location.
The article above indicates that the Koberstein family on the ship Fritz Reuter arrived at Wellington (the Hamburg passenger lists states it as Neu Seeland, but that is a phonetic spelling for New Zealand). The location they ended in was around Feilding which is about 160 Km north of Wellington.
Newspapers write our story
We are fortunate that the newspaper archive for the “Feilding Star” has been digitized and indexed and provides an excellent insight into the day to day life of this family. The time covered starts January 1, 1882 (about 5 years after their arrival) and continues to January 1, 1920.
Children in the News
One common entry in this newspaper was the results of school examinations and events. This will serve to elucidate the names of the son’s and probably grandchildren.
First we need this document that gives typical ages for various education levels/classes.
Five articles have been found giving the names (often just the initial) of the children and the grade they are in, e.g. Primer 1-4 or Standard 1-6, however Form 1-7 never shows up. I assume this is various classifications for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Here is the data and calculated approximate birth years.
Calc. Aug Sep Sep Sep Aug Sep Mar Dec Father Birth Yr 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1903 1904 1905 1906 1906 Rudolph s2* s5 1889 8 to 9 11 to 12 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Alvina s1 s3 s4 s5 1891 7 to 8 7 to 8 10 to 11 11 to 12 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Otto s3 s4 s4 1892 7 to 8 10 to 11 10 to 11 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. George s2 1893 8 to 9 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Arthur s3 1895 7 to 8 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Hilda s3 1898 7 to 8 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Walter p3 1899 6 to 7 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Grace p3* 1899 6 to 7 Art s1 1900 5 to 6 James p1 p2 1900 5 to 6 5 to 6 Frederich Wilhelm Jr. Harold p1 p1 1900 5 to 6 5 to 6 Frederich Wilhelm Jr.
* Rongotea New Zealand (all others are Makino School) s = Standard grade type p= Prime grade type New Zealand school year is April to September normally
The Makino Road School opened in 1880 and closed in September 1937 due to the declining roll. The old school house was then used as a district hall until 1964 and was then demolished. The front part of the building was removed to Foxton Beach.
Here is a little history I came across on the Makino School.
Makino, a pretty little rural village situate by road some four miles north-east of Feilding, is not wanting in attractiveness. Tourists viewing the Manchester Block are wont to drive or ride out this way, all the surroundings being naturally picturesque. Gaining the Mangaone Saddle, capital views of the fertile valley of the Makino are attainable. It is all studded with brightly-hued farm lands and foreign plantations, through which peep gaily-painted cot and villa, and the beautiful homes of the wealthier squatters. Makino Road—a flag station — is the ninth station from the Longburn Junction on the Wanganni rail way line. It is fourteen miles from Palmerston North, its elevation being 337 feet above sea- level. There is a post and telegraph office at Makino, conducted by Mr. J. P. Cowie, at the local store, and mails are received and despatched daily. The village is in the Electoral District of Rangitikei and County of Oroua. It is the centre of a school district, having its public school under the jurisdiction of the Wanganni Education Board.
Awards were given to George and Otto Koberstein for 100% attendance in 1904, hard to do in a farming environment. That would be George Albert and Henry Otto son’s of F. W. Koberstein Jr.
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 190, 30 January 1904 Makino Road Notes. Beautiful weather prevailed on Wednesday when the annual school picnic took place. ... For attendance, specials were present by Messrs Carthew and Koberstein and won by George and Otto Koberstein who had not missed a day throughtout the year. ..
During their school they had opportunities for fun activities as shown here Otto son of Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Jr.’s son Otto who came in second in the boys race.
Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 180, 2 February 1903 Makino School Picnic and Sports The Makino school picnic, which took place on Wednesday last, was sadly interfered with by the inclement weather. The sports were got off between the showers. ... Boys Race, Standard VI, V, IV George Terry 1, Otto Koberstein 2...
These activities included music and entertainment in addition to sports. Even though that entertainment may not be suitable in todays enlightenment.
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 146, 5 December 1903 Makino Road School Concert ... The Makino School was packed last evening when a most enjoyable concert was given, principally by the school children, ... A nigger (sic) dialogue was given by Claud Browning and Otto Koberstein and elicited great applause.
Feilding Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 252 19 April 1905 Local and General News ... The results of the Rongotoa Town Board election are as follows: - A. Koberstein 29, J. Penny 27, W. H. Foster 25, A. G. Hickford 22, F. Vile 22. The unsuccessful candidates were: t. Sutton 19, J. Broadbelt 16, J. Glover 14. ...
Other actvities included handwriting by Miss O. Koberstein.
Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1049, 2 December 1909 Rongotea Show ... Handwriting, girls, Miss O. Koberstein 1 ...
And even playing Cricket by W. Koberstein.
Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1614, 5 October 1911 Cricket. ... The following team from the Feilding Cricket Club will travel to Cheltenham on Saturday ... W. Koberstein
More racing at the school picnic in Colyton. Jane was the second youngest child of F.W. Jr. and Harold was fourth youngest.
Feilding Star, Volumne VIII, Issue 2313, 17 March 1914 Colyton. The school picnic The Colyton School had its annual outing yesterday... prize list for sports: - Girls under 16. - ... Jane Koberstein 1 Boys 100 yards ... Harold Koberstein Boys Waling Race, 440 yards ... Harold Koberstein
Here is a great topo map of the area around Feilding with cities mentioned in Koberstein family history.
Settling this new land
There are several interesting articles from the “Feilding Star” that mention the location of Cambelltown. Here they are.
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 110, 7 March 1893 Local and General News ... A young man named Koberstein resident at Campbelltown, whilst engaged kildling a bullock, had the misfortune to inflict a severe wound upon his knee, the knife penetrating to the bone. Dr. Johnston dressed the injury, which will, under the most favorable circumstances, necessitate his patient laying up for some days. ...
Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 202, 29 December 1893 Campbelltown Notes. ... Mr. W. Koberstein who had the misfortune to have his ankle badly bruised while attempting to stop a runaway horse at the Campbelltown Butter Factory recently, is still laid up. All the skin was taken off and the leg is black and blue up to the knee, and is worse than if it were broken. We hope Mr. Koberstein will be able to get about shortly.
Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 13, 16 July 1894 Campbelltown Notes. A very successful meeting of the Excelsior Lodge, No. 15., IOGT., was held on the 12th ... The benefits arising from the success of boring artesian wells in Campbellton has encouraged others, and Mr. Koberstein has just completed one the water from which rises to a height of six feet above the surface and gives a flow of about two thousand gallons an hour. This will be a help to his neighbours because the surplus water runs into a creek which passes through several of their properties. Mr. Martin was the contractor and the outlay did not exceed £50. ...
In order to determine the location the next article is pivotal.
Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 303, 27 June 1895 Meeting of Settler at Campbelltown. [From our own correspondent.] A very important meeting was held in the Temperance Hall, Campbelltown, last evening, to consider the advisability of petitioning the Minister of Lands to acquire the Carnarvon Estate so that it may be cut up into small farms. The hall was well filled, and Mr. Ransom was elected to the chair. In his remarks, the chairman stated that he had been requested by many of the settlers to have a meeting of this king to see what could be done relative to the Government purchasing the Estate. He stated that there were about 7000 acres in the estate, and if it were cut up into farms it would tend greatly to the country being more closely settled. Several gentlemen spoke in favor of the scheme, and after it had been well discussed, Mr. Glover proposed and Mr. Knight seconded, That a petition be drawn up to ask the Minister of Lands to acquire the Carnarvon Estate for a small run-holdings. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Glover, Knight, Koberstein, and Anderson, was appointed to see to the drawing up of the same. The petition is to be left at the post office for a week, where everyone who is desirous of the estate being secured may sign. The above is creating great interest here, for if the estate is purchased it will be a great boom to Campbelltown. the large number of settlers present at the meeting last night may be considered a good criterion of the interest being taken in this matter.
Editor’s note: The only Campbelltown I can find in New Zealand is the former name of the town of bluff and the south most end of the south island of New Zealand. That seems too far away to be talked about in the Feilding Star newspaper in Feilding NZ in the north island near Palmerston North. It must have been an area near Feilding that took the former name of Bluff, as maybe they immigrated into New Zealand via that city and its Governor mandated the change to Bluff, perhaps making it suitable to them.
A search for the “Carnarvon Estate” was critical and this entry for the history of Rongotea was found: “In the late 1860s, the Government put the Carnarvon Block up for sale, along with the neighboring Sandon Block. Two businessmen from Otago, the Hon. Robert Campbell and John Douglas, bought the 21,400 acre “Oroua Downs Estate” in the Carnarvon Block. The land, having been declared a special settlement area was by contract compelled to settlement of at least 70 families. The result was Campbelltown, based on a central square (named Douglas).[4] Later, due to many other settlements in New Zealand called Campbelltown, the township's name was changed to Rongotea. The Manawatu County Council chose this name as it meant "Peaceful place", although local tangata whenua Ngāti Rangitāne claim the name recalls a local respected chief. Rongotea was the center of a religious revival in the late 1890s and many churches were built.” (Wikipedia). A census of the Carnarvon Estate in 1891 gives this image, showing only 18 total People there (13 men, 5 women). This was taken from a book, “Results of a Census of the Colony of New Zealand, …” on Google Books. This is four years before the meeting described above. Here is a modern map of Rongotea area. This is probably similar to the Carnarvon Estate.
And here is a map of the current Manawatu district, which is now part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region. It is probable the original Manawatu region was larger before it was combined into the hyphenated Manawatu-Wanganui region.
Not all were farmers, a butcher
This district includes the towns of Feilding, Colyton, Rongotea (village), Sanson etc. which are mentioned in the Feilding Star articles about the Koberstein’.
In the Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 265, 14 May 1896 for the Manawatu County Council it is stated, "The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers, Sanson, on May 13th at 11 a.m. Correspondence was read from M. Alderson, regarding the transfer of slaughtering license to A. Koberstein. Later it was determined that a transfer be agreed to from M. Alderson to A. Koberstein. The only A. Koberstein of the appropriate age to start a business at this time would be Alwine Koberstein. In the naturalization chart above the only immigrate whose occupation is indicated to be a butcher is Amel Koberstein. I suspect these may be the same person, even though Amel could easily be a phonetic spelling for Emil.
Not much after this we read in the Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 243, 15 April 1898 about the Manawatu County Council. In this meeting it “was resolved that the slaughtering license for part section 19, held by A. Koberstein be transferred to C. Hopping; ...”. Interestingly a niece of his eventually married a Wilson Henry Hopping, the son of Charles Hopping. This Charles Hopping is surely the C. Hopping who got the slaughtering license from A. Koberstein.
Even though C. Hopping got involved in slaughtering, he must have had a farm and indicated here. Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 252, 26 April 1898 Local and General News. ... Mr. Hopping, who recently sold his section to Mr J. McHardy at £28 per acre, and bought a forty acre section from Mr Suisted at £18 10s per acre, has just sold the latter to Mr W, Hunt at L24 per acre. He has now bought Mr W. Koberstein's section of 50 acres. The price paid was £26 per acre. ... And he got the land from Mr. Koberstein also. It appears they bought and sold land until they got things just the way they wanted it.
And yet, 2 years later the butcher business goes back to Mr. Koberstein.
Feilding Star, 1 March 1900 Rongotea Notes ... The butcher, Mr. Bishop of Feilding, has sold his business to Mr. Hopping, and the latter has resold to Mr. Koberstein of Makino...
Land is needed (Ferdinand?)
Here is an interesting entry: Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 81, 2 October 1896. The regular meeting of the Wellington Land Board was held yesterday. Transfer approved - A. Burns to F. O. Koberstein, section 46, Block VII, Ongo. I looked up the New Zealand Cadastral Map for Ongo dated in 11953. Here is the link. http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE5302883
And took this clip for the VII Block, and you can see section 46 listed in the upper right corner. The notation in the section of 100.0.0 may refer to size of perhaps 100 acres. Oddly these newspapers articles often refer to people by their initials and last name so it is a challenge to determine who they are. Looking at the Koberstein family tree for someone old enough to own land in 1896 there is no clear match. It would have to be one of Frederick William Koberstein Sr. family. The fathers initial would be F.W. so it is not him, but he had a son name Ferdinand (Fred) for which I don’t know the middle name, that seems like the most likely person.
Who will organize our schools
This new family, settlers in a foreign land seemed to be quite active in the affairs required to development of a new society. One of these was participation in Householders meetings. Here is an entry where W. Koberstein (probably Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Sr.) was involved.
Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 251, 28 April 1897 Annual Meeting of Householders. The following elected a committee ... Rongotea. New Committee - Messrs Richmond (chairman), J. Mudford, A. Arnold, J. Penney, J. Glover, W. Koberstein and S. Knight (secretary and treasurer).
This appears to be a committee about the schools for their children, maybe similar to the parents teachers association (PTA) in the United States, but more parents than teachers. In 1897 F.W. Koberstein Sr.’s youngest child, Emil out of school (26 years old), so this W. Koberstein must be Jr. He was often referred to as William to differentiate him from his father. The location is Rongotea. I would have to assume that William Koberstein Jr. (37 years old now) is either living with or near his father in this area. He would have at least 4 children at school age: Ernest (10), Frederich W. III (9), Matilda (7), Henry Otto (6).
ownship 19 km north-west of Palmerston North. Rongotea is a long-established service centre for surrounding farming districts. It dates from the Crown’s sale of the Carnarvon block in the late 1860s, with the Sandon block next to it. The name of Rongotea, at the centre of the Carnarvon block, was changed from Campbelltown (after one of its founders, Robert Campbell) in 1887. Rongotea was at the centre of an 1870s and 1880s religious revival led by converts of preacher Gordon Forlong. A large number of churches were subsequently built in the town.
Even today Rongotea is a small village:
The very next year the meeting Mr. Koberstein moved on.
Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 252, 26 April 1898 Annual Election of School Committees. ... Rongotea. The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year: - W. Richmond, (chairman), S. Knight (secretary and treasurer), J. Glover, A. Arnold, J. Penny, J. Mudford, J. Merrett. This is the same committee as last year with the exception of Mr. Merrett who takes Mr. Koberstein's place. ...
Five years later A. Koberstein is now involved in the School Committee. This could be Alwine but at 50 years of age, he is unlikely to have young children.
The Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 251, 28 April 1903 Rongotea The following gentlemen were elected as a School Committee for Rongotea School... A. Koberstein...
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 262, 26 April 1904 Meeting of Householders Feilding High School ... The following committee was elected for th eensuing year: ... Rongotea Messrs H. Hunt (chairman), H. Ehrborn, J. Glover, A. Persson, A. Koberstein, J. Broadbelt, J. Penney (secretary). ...
More land dealings
Who is C. Koberstein?
Feilding Star, Volume XX, Issue 1, 2 July 1898 Local and General News ... Messrs Gorton and Son have completed the sale of two more lots of Mr. C. Pharazyn's estate, the purchaser being Mr. C. Koberstein. Lot 18, containing 28 acres, was sold for L16 an acre, and lot 19, containing 50 acres 2 roods, as sold for £ 17 an acre. ...
I am unable to identify a person with the first initial of C. old enough to be buying land. Can anyone help? Here is another C in the form of Carl Koberstein.
Feilding Star, Volume XX, Issue 35, 12 August 1898 Manawatu County Council. Minutes of meeting ... That the following transfers be made:- H. Collins to Helen H. Benson for section 168, Sandon; Carl Koberstein to M. Walsh for section 23, ...
So this must be the same as C. Koberstein just before, but who is he? There is a Carl Koberstein born to Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Jr., but he is only 3 years old at this time. It must be another immigrant.
The August 17, 1898 Feilding Star reported that Mr. Koberstein was erecting a house on his property. This may be Carl Koberstein due to the close time frame from to buying to building.
W. Koberstein apparently retired from to Rongotea Dairy Company.
Feilding Star, Volume XX, Issue 65, 15 September 1898 Rongotea Notes. The rain which has fallen during the past few day will have a beneficial effect on the grass, crops, etc. A quarter of an inch fell on Saturday. The farmers say it requires about an inch of rain to fall each day for a week to have lasting results. ... The annual meeting of the Rongotea Dairy Company is to be held in the Hall on Wednesday, September 28th, The following business will be dealt with; ... A. Richmond and W. Koberstein retiring; ...
Now the guessing game begins again, who is W.? To be retiring implies someone near end of career. F.W. Koberstein Jr., often know as just William or in this case W. would be 38, too young, so it must be his father F.W. Sr., now 71 years old. Wow, I guess he went by just Wilhelm, William, or W. sometimes. By October 17, 1898, two months later, Mr. Koberstein (assume Carl) had a residence erected on his property.
Land was important as was protecting their animals from trespassing.
Feilding Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 1433, 12 May 1902 Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 ... To Trespassers Any persons found trespassing with dog or gun on our properties will be prosecuted. F.W. Koberstein (must be Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Jr. or Sr.) F. Koberstein (must be Ferdinand) E.T. Strawbridge F. Walden W. Baker J. Knight B.J. Mullins
Here are more land transactions for the Koberstein families.
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 265 29 April 1904 Local and General News ... The sale of land held by Messrs Gorton and Son on Wednesday in the Assembly Rooms, consisting of the Burnside Estate, near Halcombe, was successful. No. 2 section, 47 acres, purchased by Mr. H. Harris bought £22. No. 7 section, 159 acres, at £13, was sold to Mr. Koberstein; and No 12, 50 acres, at £16 17s 6d, was knocked down to Mr. Schmidt. After the sale Nos. 3 and 4, at £21 per acre and No. 5, at £20, were purchased by Mr. Koberstein. It is expected that the remainder of the sections will be sold privately. ...
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 316, 28 June 1904 Local and General News. ... The following properties have changed hands recently through the agency of Mr E. O. Mackay; - Messrs Koberstein Bros., 230 acres, Colyton; The Koberstein Bros., are now branching out to property in the city of Colyton, just a few miles east of Feilding.
Now a Koberstein buys some land with a house on it near Halcombe. Halcombe is a few miles west of the probable site of the Makino School. Halcombe Road is the main road south out of Halcombe.
Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Publish Daily. Friday, February 10, 1905 Local and General News ... Messrs J.T. Barry and Co., land agents, report having disposed of recently 22 1/2 acres with dwelling, Halcombe Road, to Mr. Koberstein; ...
Now we have a land transaction to a full first name of Carl. Carl Arthur is the seventh child of F.W. Jr. and was born in 1895, so was 10 years old. This must be another Carl.
Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 56, 28 September 1905 Local and General News ... Through the agency of Messrs Barry and Co, Mr Raymont Walsh has disposed of 3o acres of his property in Kimbolton Road to Mr. Carl Koberstein at £35 per acre. ...
The land transactions with Mr. Hopping continues here.
Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 288, 11 June 1907 Mr. Hopping's Disposal Sale Mr. Charles Hopping, the well known Taikorea settler, having recently disposed of his farm to Mr. F.W. Koberstein, has entrusted the sale of the whole of his live and dead stock to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., ...
Important land sale by R.W. Koberstein
Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 901, 10 June 1909 Important Land Sale Glen Oroua, Manawatu. Mr. R. W. Koberstein has instructed the undersigned to sell by Public Auction in Abraham and Williams' Horse Bazaar, Palmerston North at 1 p.m. on Saturday, 12th June 1909. 480 acres of the richest dairy land in the Manawatu District, subdivided into 6 sections, ranging from 34 acres to 131 acres 2 roods 0 perches. Easy Terms: 10 per cent on fall of hammer, 10 per cent on 1st July, when possession is given, balance 3 years at 5 per cent.
Farm sold to Mrs. Bridge.
Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1407, 3 February 1911 Taikorea. School picnic and prize giving The attractive farm at Taikorea recently disposed of by Mr. Koberstein to Mrs Bridge of Feilding was the scene of the picnic held by the families of Taikorea to celebrate the opening of the school on the new site and the annual prize-giving. ...
Sometimes there are misunderstanding in land transactions as apparent here.
Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 1759, 3 April 1912 Manawatu City Council. Monthly Meeting. ... The Chairman said it was understood Mr. Koberstien was giving the land free. Mr. Graham said that was a mistake. Similar clams by Mr. Hopping and Mr. Sanson had been settled by the Council. Mr. Koberstein had paid £27 10s per acre for this land. It was a small matter and Mr. Koberstein thought it was better for the Council to settle it without the expense of legal proceedings. He held that Mr. Koberstien was entitled to the value of the land, less some slight betterment, which was only a small item. Upon consideration Mr. Koberstein offered to accept £52. After about an hour's discussion, Mr. Gray proposed that an offer of L32 10s be make to Mr. Koberstein, providing he is not asked to move the fence. The Motion was carried. Mr. Koberstein said he would not accept the offer. ...
What about roads in a new settlement in and around Feilding, N.Z.
Apparently S.W. Koberstein, near Manchester had petitioned their road board for a road improvement of Makino road. Makino road goes north out of Feilding even today.
Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 158, 6 January 1900 Manchester Road Board ... [Several road issues were brought up] ... From S. W. Koberstein asking Board to metal Spur Road from Makino Road. ...
Again I can’t deduce who S.W. Koberstein is.
Apparently two or more of the Koberstein brothers started some sort of business as indicated in this petition to get need road work through an estate to their property.
Feilding Star, Volume XXII, Issue 179, 1 February 1901 Manchester Road Board The monthly meeting of the Manchester Road Board was held today. ... Koberstein Bros. waited on the Board to ask that the road through Pharazyn's late estate be made to give access to their property. they were willing to raise a loan for the purpose. They were informed that Mr. Pharazyn had not handed it over to the board and if they could get him to do so the Board would do as requested. Until the road was tranferred to the Board the latter could not spend money on it. ...
Even the oldest son of F. W. Koberstein Jr. would only be 14, so it can be those brothers, leaving only F. W. Koberstein Jr. and one or more of his five brothers. It was most common for a farmer/rancher to raise sheep or dairy cattle in this area and I know there was a thriving butter factory in the area that would need a steady supply of milk.
Apparently the road when through and need repair.
Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 5, 5 July 1902 Manchester Road Board ... The following correspondence was received after the meeting commenced: ... From F.W. Koberstein, drawing attention to state of the Spur Road, and asking that repairs be effected. -Engineer to have road attended to as soon as possible. .
And it needed to be extended. The requested road through the Pharazyn estate must have been called Pharazyn street. Interestingly there is a Pharazyn street in Feilding, New Zealand.
Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 161, 9 January 1903 Manchester Road Board The monthly meeting of the Board was held today, ... From F.F. Haggitt, asking on behalf of Messrs. Koberstein Bros., that Pharazyn Street be extended 18 chains.
Here is a bit of historical context for the Manchester Road Board.
Description: The Manchester Highway Board was formed in 1876 from the Manawatu Highways Board (later Road Board) and came under the Manawatu County Council. After the passing of the 1882 Road Boards Act, all Highway Boards were renamed as Road Boards. In 1883 half of Manawatu County separated to form the Oroua County Council, which the Board now came under. In 1884 the Board assumed the powers of a county when the operation of the Counties act was suspended within the boundaries of Oroua. By 1902 the Manchester Road Board and the Halcombe Town Board were the only remaining Boards in Oroua County, the others having formed the Kiwitea, Pohangina and Kairanga Counties. In 1902 the Manchester Road Board petitioned for the Counties act to be reinstated in what remained of the Oroua County. This was granted in 1903, the Road Board was dissolved and was used as the basis for reforming the Oroua County Council.
Here is proof that the Koberstein families were involved in this change.
Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 97, 25 September 1903 Advertisements. In the Matter of "The Counties Act, 1886," and the several Amendments thereof. To the Chairman and Councillor of the Oroua county. The humble petition of the undersigned sheweth:- 1. That the person signing this petition are majority of the Ratepayers of the Manchester Road District and whose property in respec of which they are rated is situated within the County of Oroua and aggregates not less than half the rateable property in the said County. 2. That your petitioners are desirous that the Manchester Road Board shall be dissolved and merged in the Oroua County Council. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your Council may be pleased to take such steps as may be necessary to make a special order dissolving the Manchester Road Board and merged the same in the Oroua County Council. And your petitioners will, as in duty bound ever humbly pray, etc. ... C. Koberstein ... F. & O. Koberstein ... F. W. Koberstein, ... I deduce that F. & O. is Ferdinand and Otto while F.W. is Frederick Wilhelm Jr., while C. is unidentified.
The Oroua County was established in 1903 and disestablished in 1989 and has an area of 492.3 km2 and was headquartered in Feilding.
Here is another name with the middle initial of W. I can’t find a R. W. Koberstein. There is a Robert.
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 251, 28 April 1903 Makino Road ... [about] annual meeting of householders last evening evinced the increased ... ballot being taken resulted in the election of Messrs. ... R. W. Koberstein ... Life events
Life is not forever. However I don’t have enough information to determine who passed away in late 1904.
Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 122, 18 December 1904 Local and General News ... Mr. F. W. Koberstein inserts a notice of thanks in connection with his recent bereavement. ...
Feilding Star, Volumne VI, Issue 1583, 30 August 1911 Wedding Koberstein - Cuff The marriage of Maud, fourth daughter of Mrs. E. Cuff, of Littlewood, Halcombe, to Otto Koberstein of Wellington ... took place ... on Wednesday ... Mr. Otto Koberstein, nephew of the bridegroom, filled the position of best man. Mr and Mrs Koberstein are to reside in Wellington.
This is Ludwig Robert Otto, son of F.W. Sr. His nephew also named Otto, is the son of F.W. Jr.
A missing Koberstein woman. It appears this was part of ongoing problems for the fifth child, second daughter of F.W. Jr.
Feiling Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3136, 9 January 1917 The woman Hilda Koberstein reported missing yesterday... charged with attempting to commit suicide… remanded to Wellington...undergo medical treatment.
This article indicated minimal war injuries, however it turned out worse.
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3554, 10 August 1918 Personal ... Private H.R. Hayden, of Makino, has been wounded, aso 2nd Lieut. A.G. Stunnel and Pvt. A.C. Koberstein of Feilding. Pvt. E.A. Taylor of Makino is now reported as not a severe case. ...
In these military papers it is reported he was killed in action on August 23rd 1918 and buried in France.
And again reported in the Feilding Star newspaper.
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3584, 14 September 1918 Personal ... The following are reported killed in action: Pte. A. Greenhow (Bunnythorpe), L.-Cpl. A.C. Koberstein (Feilding), Pte. R. Jarvie (Bulls)...
A new business for Mr. Koberstein
Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 43, 20 August 1906 Rongtea correspondent After a very wet time we are now experiencing better weather, which is much needed by our farming friends. The price of land is still upwards and many properties continue to change hands. Mr. H. Botcher has purchased a section near the town, and will build at once. Mr. Koberstein has disposed of his farm, and has let the contract to the Messrs Sutton for a large two-table billiard saloon with ship, etc., in the front. It will face the Square, and will be quite an addition to our town. The same firm are also erecting a large house at Himatangi for Mr. Farmer. ...
In this article a business of selling coal and wood is mentioned. These add are repeated through most of the rest of the online archive of the Feilding Star up to the end of 1919. The only Koberstein with an initial of A. is Alwine Koberstein.
The Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 3850, 29 September 1919, 30 September 1919, and 1 October 1919 Wood and Coal A. B. Koberstein Yard: Corner of Kimbolton road and Weld street. Stocks of Matai and Maire any lengths. Household and Steam Coal delivered to any part of the borough.
A farmer a rancher
Of course the animals you raise is a big part of a farmer/rancher life. Here are articles related to stock they were involved with.
First they must have raised sheep. Here is a judging of Flock Sheep.
Feilding Star, 5 February 1907 Flock Sheep Judge - Mr. R. Tanner, Longburn. ...Class 107, ... F.W. Koberstein...... Class 109, ... F.W. Koberstein...
Koberstein transactions with rams.
Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 796, 5 February 1909 The Ram Fair. Additional Sales After we went to press yesterday, the following sales were made at the Feilding Ram Fair. ... On behalf of Smith Bros., Colyton. - 25 2-tooth rams offered. Prices from 1 1/2gns. Buyers: C. Koberstein, and J. Linklator. ... On behalf of Smith Bros, Colyton. - 25 offered, 8 sold at 1 1/4gs. Buyers: C. Koberstein and J. Linklator.
This has to do with land transactions but also inventories the farm animals etc.
Feilding Star, 4 March 1909 Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 Bulls Sale ... Owing to Monday, the 8th instant, clasing with Messrs F. and O. Koberstein's clearing sale at Bainesse, the usual Bulls Stock Sale will not be held until the 15th inst.
Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 82, 6 March 1909 Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 Auctions. ... Clearing Sale at Bainesse - Monday, March 8 at 12 noon. ... instruction from Messrs F. and O. Koberstein who have sold their farm, to sell the property, at Bainesse Railway Station, - 200 2-th ewes 800 4 and 5yr ewes 260 4 and 5yr Romney ewes 800 mixed lambs, good line. 80 4-th ewes. 103 p.b. Romney ewe lambs, bred by Baker. 30 p.b. Romney rams, bred by Cobb. 40 2-yr heifers in calf. 1 bull. 1 Jersey cow in milk. 4 good draught horses and harness. 4 hacks. 1 harness horse (well known hunter Grey Dick). 3 young horses 1 Gascoigne press 1 set. Avery scales. 1 Swamp plough 1 d.f. plough, disc harrows cambridge roller mower, farmer's favourite drill tip dray, git and harness 350 totara posts. 25 strainers Half ton galvanised wire. Household furniture, poultry dogs, etc. Also on account F. W. Koberstein - 100 Woodendean Romney ewe lambs.
Here is a story where F.W. sold 100 cows, pigs, horses.
Feilding Star, Volumne V, Issue 1494, 17 May 1911 New Advertisements An important sale of 100 Jersey and Holstein cows, pigs, horses, implements, etc., on account of Mr. F. W. Koberstein, Taikorea, will be held by the N.Z. Load and Mercantile Agency Co., on Wednesday, May 31.
Even more cow sales, a mainstay of a dairy farm.
Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 1561, 4 August 1911 Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 ... recieved instruction from Mr F. W. Koberstein to sell as above- 50 S.H. Grade Jersey and Holstein cross cows 20 Jersey cross heifers ...
And if you raise sheep you need to sell the wool.
Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1692, 12 January 1912 How Feilding Clips Fared The third wool sales fo the Wellington series took place today in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Buyers attended in strong force, and included reprsentatives from all the wool consuming centres. The New Zealand wollen mills ... The following are some of the sales made by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency co. of interest to the Feilding distric: F. W. Koberstein 10d, ...
In an effort, presumably to learn how be a better farmer you visit the experimental farm.
Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2425, 1 April 1914 Excursion to Wereroa State Farm. A visit to the Wereroa Experimental Farm, organised by Mr. W. Dibble, Fields Instructor, for Apiti farmers, took place yesterday. The farmers who participated were Messrs G.H. Purnell, P. McDay, Hugh Osborne, J. Cowan, F. Elliott, B. McKay and Harry Osborne, and they were accompanied by Messrs F. W. Koberstein, Dibble and Moynihan (shannon). The Apiti men travelled in Mr. Guy's big car, and the others in Mr. Koberstein's and a pleasant run was made both ways.
You have to have a buyer for your farm products which made the future of this factory so key.
Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1784, 6 May 1912 Dairying. The Colyton Factory A meeting of the settlers of the Colyton district was held in the local hall on Saturday night, to consider the question of forming a co-operative company to take over the factory owned by Mr. Gillies. Only a small number of dairymen turned up to the meeting. Mr. J.J. Murphy was voted to the chair, and expressed his regret that more of the settlers were not present. The factory was most convenient for them at the present time, and if a stranger got hold of it the settlers might get into t much worse position. He was sorry Mr. Gillies found it necessary to leave the district. Mr. Gillies siad failing health compelled him to dispose of the factory. He wished to give the supplier the first opportunity of buying the factory. He said they could have the whole factory, with two acres freehold, as a going concern, for L1250. He would welcome inspection. The chairman said there was a suficient number of daiymen in the immediate neighbourhood to take over factory and make it very payable proposition, if they ran it as it should be. The answer to a question, Mr. Gillies said he had manufactured 63 tons of butter last year. He would be willing to take L600 cash and the balance to remain for three or five years at 6 per cent. The Chairman proposed that Messrs Waldon, Koberstein and Laing inspect the factory, interview all the supplier, and call another meeting to report and to consider the matter of taking over the factory. Mr. Koberstein recorded the motion, which was agreed to.
After all this drama, sells must go on.
Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2262, 8 January 1914 The Wellington series. Some Local Clips ... second wool sale of the season was held yesterday ... The following are some of the sales ... F. W. Koberstein 10 1/4d per lb.
More sales of “high class dairy stock”.
Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 2315, 20 March 1914 The Koberstein Sale N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. report: On Wednesday we held a most successful clearing sale of high class dairy stock on account of F.W. Koberstein. There was a large attendance of local and outside buyers, resulting in keen competition ...
The A. and P. Association.
The Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2363, 16 May 1914 A. and P. Association The following nominations have been received for officers and committee of the Feilding A. and P. Associaton:... F.W. Koberstein Editor note: From what I have research A. and P. stands for Agricultural & Pastoral Association
W. Koberstein moving
In article to the right the movement of W. Koberstein from Makino to Rongotea is documented in article entitled, “Popular Settlers Entertained”. Her is a recap of critical information.
The Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 291, 14 June 1907 Popular Settler entertained ... A social evening .. John Holder and W. Koberstein... glad to learn that Mr. Koberstein was not going further than Rongotea, where he had purchased Mr. C. Hopping's farm. ...been resident in the district ... Mr. Koberstein for nine years...... had proved genuine settlers...
Apparently W. Koberstein (probably F.W. Jr. ) had been in Makino for nine years then moved to Rongotea. This is a distance of 26 Km on the roads through Feilding.
He grew the farm quickly after the move.
Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 579, 23 May 1908 Local and General ... Mr. W. Koberstein, who removed from the Makimo district to Rongotea a short time ago has purchased Mr Mabie's farm, of 250 acres. This farm adjoins the present property of Mr. Koberstein. ...
Appendix
Here is the general time line for the Frederick Wilhelm Koberstein Sr. family.
Date Event 1827 F.W. Sr. born in Prussia
1847 F.W. Sr. married Louise Peshke
1853 Alwine born in Prussia 1860 F.W. Jr. born in Guben, Prussia 1862 Emilie born in Kohen, Prussia Jul 1866 Ferdinand born in Ischberg, Prussia Jul 1867 Ludwig Robert Otto born in Prussia 1871 Emil Paul born in Prussia
12 Apr 1876 Left port of Hamberg (parents and 6 children) 4 Aug 1876 Arrived at port of Wellington Alwine was adult of 23 years of age F.W. Jr. was 16 and soon to strike out Emilie (14),Ferdinand (9), Otto (8), Emil (5) 27 Jun 1895 Subdivide Carnarvon estate for farms All children 24 or older, probably on their own
21 Jan 1912 F.W. Sr. dies at Rongotea at age of 79
After arriving in Wellington it was 19 years before the Carnarvon estate was subdivided into farms, of which surely F.W. Sr. bought one. It is unknown where they lived before that. But F.W. Jr. married in Feilding, Otto in Marton,
Date Event 1885 F.W. Jr. married Julianna Albertina Klatt in Feilding, New Zealand
1887 Ernest Rudolph born in Sanson* 1888 F.W. III born in Sanson* 10 Feb 1890 Matilda Alvina born in Sanson* 26 Jun 1891 Henry Otto born in Sanson* 5 Jan 1892 Hilda Elizabeth born in Campbelltown* 3 Jan 1893 George Albert born in Rongotea* 1 Mar 1895 Carl Arthur born in Rongotea* 27 June 1895 Subdivide Carnarvon estate for farms 1897 Walter Herbert born Sanson* 1900 Jim born Feilding** 1900 Paul Harold born in Feilding** 16 Feb 1902 Jane Nora born in Makino** 6 Sep 1904 Samuel Leonard born in Hampden***
Aug 1898 Rudolph mentioned in Rongotea School Sep 1899 First mention of children in Makino Road School Dec 1906 Last mention of children in Makino Road School
Jun 1907 Move from Makino to Rongotea 5 years before father dies in 1912
3 Jul 1939 J.W. Jr. dies at Palmerston North at 79
*--Noel Kreegher transcription of birth records indicate all these to be born in Sanson.
**-- Noel Kreegher transcription of birth records indicates a Richard James (possibility Jim) and Paul Harold, Nora was born in Feilding.
***--Noel Kreegher transcription of birth records indicates Samuel Leonard born in Hampden. This is odd since it is on the south island.