Obituary from a newspaper in 1941
PIONEER’S DEATH
MR. JOHN CORNWELL
67 YEARS IN DOMINION
The death has occurred of Mr. John Cornwell, of Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, a carpenter and flazmiller in the Auckland district in the latter part of last century, at the age of 90.
Born in Preston, England, in 1851, Mr. Cornwell took up the carpentering trade at an early age and as
a youth travelled around the world as a ship’s carpenter. He arrived in Auckland the ship Assaye in
1874 with his wife, whom he married prior to the voyage. He was a carpenter in Auckland engaged
on important Government works for about 15 years. After which he established a flax mill at Drury.
After a period in Auckland he established another flax mill in the Whangarei district. He retired about
34 years ago, since when he resided in Hepburn Street.
Until a week ago Mr. Cornwell enjoyed remarkably good health, and up to the time of his death was
in full possession of his faculties. An example of his fine craftsmanship is shown large models of five
well-known ships in kauri gum, work which occupied many years. He was also well known as a
judge of birds and poultry exhibits and his hobby as a bird fancier took him to England three times
after his arrival in the Dominion. Mrs. Cornwell died 12 years ago. Mr Cornwell is survived by six
children. There are a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.