Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebet
Elizabeth Jane Emma BOON was born in in 1875 Mahurangi, the fifth child of Josiphia Wedgewood and wife Elizabeth Jane. Josiphia’s family were early settlers to Auckland and his wife’s family were descended from the Wedgewood Staffordshire potters.
In 1898 Elizabeth Jane married in Warkworth to Thomas Henry Wilson (1872–1968). Thomas was the son of Nathaniel and Florence, who with his brothers began trading as J. Wilson and Company. Theirs was the first enterprise to commercially manufacture Portland cement in the Southern Hemisphere. They developed durable structures and port facilities, particularly in Auckland. Notable projects using Wilson’s cement included the Rangitoto Beacon, Grafton Bridge and Queen’s Wharf, as well as the Rotorua’s Bath House and Napier’s breakwater. When Thomas joined as a boy in 1887, his father Nathaniel was manager, assisted by his uncle, William as engineer. There were 15–18 men and one other boy. The output was about 40 tons per week.
When Nathaniel retired in 1908, William J became works manager and engineer. On his retirement in 1910, Thomas took over the position. The works had now reached its peak production of 120 tons of cement a week, and 100 tons of lime. It employed 180 men, and had become a major force in the life and economy of the town of Warkworth.
Thomas and Elizabeth had six children, all born in Warkworth.
- Cyril Wedgwood (1901–1972)
- Karl Vivian (1903–1988)
- Florence Enid (1905–1967)
- Thomas Douglas (1907–1973)
- Elizabeth Ethel Winifred (1912–2006)
- Dorothy Lillian (1914–2012)
After the First World War, a new company was formed, Wilsons (NZ) Portland Cement Company Ltd. Thomas Wilson, who had managed the Warkworth plant since 1910, moved the family to Whangarei in 1918 to become a manager at the Portland plant. Their vacant house in Warkworth was used as a temporary hospital for influenza patients in November 1918. Thomas and Elizabeth Jane appeared in electoral rolls for Portland, Whangarei until at least 1938, where Thomas was listed as cement manufacturer and company director. Then they retired to live in Kohimarama in Auckland.
Elizabeth Jane died 19 Apr 1952 aged 76, she was cremated and her ashes buried in Warkworth Cemetery. Her estate was worth nearly 10 000 pounds and she left everything to her children equally or grandchildren. Thomas lived on until he was 96, dying in Remuera in 1968, and being buried with Elizabeth in Warkworth Cemetery.
Elizabeth J BOON is the daughter-in-law of 378 Florence WILSON
Sources
ARCHWAY Elizabeth Emma Jane Wilson probate
https://cementworkswarkworth.org.nz/
https://www.mahurangi.org.nz/2001/06/16/history-part7-cement-maker/
PAPERS PAST Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1934, Page 3
New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-2010 (ancestry.com)
NZ Historical BDMs