Biography

George Robertson Hercus (1844-1926)

George Hercus was born on 17th June 1844 in Thurso, Caithness, in the North of Scotland. His mother Jane died when he was two years old; his father remarried before George was eight years old. George was educated at Greenock Academy.

George came to New Zealand aboard the Nelson in 1862 aged 18. His father Peter Hercus, stepmother Elizabeth and family followed in 1863, emigrating on the Viola to Dunedin. The family settled at Port Chalmers.

George joined the Moray Place Congregational Church in 1862; the rest of the family joined late in the following year.

On 4th November 1869 George married Elizabeth (Eliza) Elder at ‘Oaklands’ at Maheno, North Otago. George and Eliza made their home at 33 Albert Street, Dunedin (which became 325 Stuart Street) and brought up eight children there. Hospitality was offered to many at the family home. They attended Hanover Street Baptist Church, where George was a senior deacon for many years and took a wide interest in church and mission matters.

In 1870 George had gained employment with Ross and Glendining in Dunedin as an accountant. When the firm became a limited company in 1900 he was appointed as a director, while also serving as secretary until 1922, and was principal financial adviser until he died.

George Hercus died at his residence on 12th August 1926 aged 82, survived by his wife and six of their children; Peter, Mary, Jessie, Stanley, Jane and Eric. He is buried here in the cemetery with his wife Eliza, their sons Gowan and Frank and two grandchildren, Helen and Roy (daughter and son of Stanley and his wife Jessie, née Campbell, Hercus).

References: David Elder’s Descendants compiled by Kathryn Smith

Some details from the Otago Witness, 17th August 1926

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