Robert Soulsby (1848 - 1937)

Born 1848 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England

Husband of Margaret Ann (Phair) Soulsby — married 16 Oct 1881 in New Zealand

Died 27 Jun 1937 at about age 89 in Otekaieke, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Born in Leeds about 1848, he emigrated to New Zealand about 1866.

Marriage

On 16 October 1881 Margaret Ann Phair and Robert Soulsby were married. ^[1]

Children

Children born to Robert and Margaret / Margaret Ann / Margaret Anne Soulsby ^[2]

1. 1882/12367 Elizabeth
2. 1884/17606 Margaret Edith
3. 1886/16423 Robert William
4. 1888/9454 Charles Thomas d. 1889, 10 months ^[3]
5. 1890/12745 Emma May
6. 1893 Charles Percy
7. 1895/5029 John

1923 Overseas travel ^[4]
During the last few months Mr Robert Soulsby, of North. Otago, who is on a health visit to the Mother Country, has been making a general tour of England and Scotland. He contemplates a visit to the Continent in the near future.

Death

On 27 June 1937 Robert Soulsby passed away, aged 78. ^[5]

Obituary ^[6]
MR ROBERT SOULSBY [THE PRESS Special Service.] OAMARU. July 15. Mr Robert Soulsby, who died recently at Otekaieke, was known to many railwaymen, having been employed by the Railway Department for more than 33 years. He was born at Leeds, England, in 1848 and came to New Zealand at the age of 18, joining the department at Ashburton. He was the first engine driver to take a train to Kurow, and the first driver at Waimahaka, and also the first to take a train over Switizer's branch, out of Riversdale. He retired on superannuation in 1913, 10 years later making a trip to England and Europe. His wife died in 1921... but is survived by three sons—Messrs R. W. Soulsby (Dunedin), J. Soulsby (Tahakopa), and S. Soulsby (Otekaieke) —and two daughters, Mrs G. A. Munro (Benmore) and Mrs W. G. McKinnon (Otekaieke).

Margaret Ann Soulsby and Robert Soulsby are buried at the Kurow Cemetery, Waitaki, Otago. ^[7]

Will ^[8]
The August 1934 will of Robert Coulsby, retired engine driver of Otekaieke, Otago left his estate including house and property at 47 Young St, St Kilda, Christchurch to children Edith McKinnon, John Soulsby and Charles Percy Soulsby. The residue was shared by daughter Elizabeth Munro, and sons John, Charles and Robert.

Son John swore in the affidavit that he was the stationmaster at Tahakopa (in the Catlins, Otago)

Sources

1. ↑ NZBDM marriages 16/10/1881 1881/2855 Margaret Ann Phair, Robert Soulsby
2. ↑ New Zealand Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Online search
3. ↑ Southland Times, Issue 10206, 12 July 1889, Page 2
4. ↑ Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18017, 2 January 1923, Page 7
5. ↑ NZBDM deaths 27/6/1937 1937/24108 Soulsby, Robert, 78Y
6. ↑ Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22146, 16 July 1937, Page 12
7. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #211799729

   Robert Soulsby

   DEATH 27 Jun 1937

   BURIAL Kurow Cemetery

   Kurow, Waitaki District, Otago, New Zealand

8. ↑ Will of Robert Soulsby