Biography

ELIZABETH HERCUS

Burial register ID: 15867
Surname: HERCUS
First name: ELIZABETH
Middle names:
Gender: Female
Age: 89 Years
Cause of death: Unknown
Burial type:
Date of death: 14-Oct-1937
Date of burial: 16-Oct-1937

Block: 191
Plot: 79
Inscription:

IN

LOVING MEMORY

OF

GEORGE ROBERTSON

HERCUS

BORN AT THURSO, SCOTLAND

DIED AT DUNEDIN,

12th AUG. 1926

AGED 82 YEARS.

HE WAS NOT;

FOR GOD TOOK HIM.

ALSO ELIZABETH

HIS BELOVED WIFE

BORN AT LYBSTER, SCOTLAND

DIED AT DUNEDIN,

14th OCT. 1937

AGED 89 YEARS.

HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED

SLEEP

On the left side of the monument:-

FRANK ERNEST

HERCUS

DIED 26th SEPT. 1890

AGED 16 YEARS.

GOWAN LYLE

HERCUS

DIRECTOR SCHOOL OF MINES

WESTPORT.

DIED 11th MARCH 1912

AGED 30 YEARS.

On the right side of the monument:-

ROY CAMPBELL

HERCUS

DIED 18th NOV.1913

AGED 3 MONTHS.

HELEN ISABEL

HERCUS

DIED 17th DEC. 1917

AGED 6 YEARS.

Bio contributor:

Elizabeth (Eliza) Hercus née Elder (1847-1937)

Eliza was born on 6th November 1847 in Lybster, Caithness, Scotland. In 1864 at the age of 16, Eliza emigrated to New Zealand with her brother William, and her sister Hannah, aboard the City of Dunedin, both of their parents having died in the preceding years. Eliza and her sister went to live at ‘Oaklands’, Maheno, North Otago.

On 4th November 1869 Eliza married George Hercus at ‘Oaklands’. They made their home at 33 Albert Street, Dunedin (which became 325 Stuart Street) and brought up eight children there, as well as offering hospitality to many. A niece recalled that Eliza had a wonderful sense of humour, which was a vital part of home life.

Eliza lived in New Zealand for 72 years and saw many changes in Dunedin during the time she lived here. After her husband died in 1926, Eliza continued to live with her daughter Janie for another eleven years, until she died on 14th October 1937, aged 89. Eliza was buried here in the cemetery on 16th October 1937 with her husband George, their sons Frank and Gowan, and their grandchildren Helen and Roy.

Reference: David Elder’s Descendants compiled by Kathryn Smith
Eliza Hercus
Source: Kathryn Smith


The Hercus Family Home, 325 Stuart Street
Source: Kathryn Smith

There are 6 Interments in this grave:

Surname First names Age Date of death Date of burial
HERCUS ELIZABETH 89 Years 14-Oct-1937 16-Oct-1937
HERCUS FRANK ERNEST 16 Years 26-Sep-1890 28-Sep-1890
HERCUS GEORGE ROBERTSON 82 Years 12-Aug-1926 14-Aug-1926
HERCUS GOWAN LYLE 30 Years 11-Mar-1912 16-Mar-1912
HERCUS HELEN ISABEL 7 Years 17-Dec-1917 19-Dec-1917
HERCUS ROY CAMPBELL 2 Months 19-Nov-1913 20-Nov-1913