John Middlebrook

1854-1939

 

John Middlebrook was arguably , financially the most successful of all the Middlebrook children.  He started his business career apparently working for the Southern Cross Newspaper but very soon afterward decided to follow in the footsteps of his Great Grandfather, and become a butcher. 

Like Elizabeth he married young, at age of 20 to Mary Ann Tucker,  by which time he was apprenticed or working with Richard Hellaby .

By the late 1880s John had his own ( and very successful) butchers shops, first in Newton, and then in Ponsonby.

John then moved his growing family to Te Awamutu where he set up a very successful butchers enterprise, and became firmly entrenched in the community there.

He was a much valued member of the business community and served on the Borough Council and was extremely highly thought of in the community.

John and Mary Ann had 12 children. 11 of whom survived to adulthood.  Mary Ann died in 1931, and John died the night that the second world war was announced in 1939.

 

FAMILY OF JOHN MIDDLEBROOK