ALBUM - John Nyberg and wife Catherine Kennedy owners of Swede`s Mill.Ruru.

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DescriptionALBUM - John Nyberg(1866-1935) and wife Catherine Kennedy owners of Swede`s Mill, (1871 - 1938).

Photo 2:Evert Nyberg`s homne in Sweden.(Contributed by Julie Kevin Hawthorn.)

John Nyberg and wife Catherine.The couple had at least 8 children.Brother John and Emil Nyberg,together with their cousin Larssen( all from Ranea in Sweden)were working for the Midland Railway construction Gang in the early 1890`s.During their Xmas break they went prospecting up the Crooked River near Lake Brunner, and struck it rich.Seeing the timber potential of the district and its closeness to the railway, they decided to build a sawmill at Ruru, the first on the Midland Line.
The mill started operating in 1894,and the compnay was called the lake Brunner sawmilling Company.They were later joined by T H Kerr and John Brownlee, who had a large mill in Marlborough, and in 1906 the mill was the largest mill on the West Coast.Their mill was known locally as Swede`s Mill,even after they sold their interest in it.the Swedes were extremely energetic and expected no less from their workers.
At Swedes Mill you had to be apron on, with a piece of timber in your hand,ready to start work as soon as the whistle went.If you missed the whistle by even two minutes you were docked half an hour pay.

Date of Photoca.1900Map^[1]ContributorCathie Pengelly

Shown in this image

Location (city or town)RuruPersonJohn Nyberg Catherine NybergOrganisation (eg business)Swedes Mill

Category Information

Category TagForestry

From Facebook

Date Created31st December 2021CommentsKevinandMargaret Mills
Our Neighbour was Jack Nyberg he worked on the railway sadly he passed away a few years back.

Peter Robertson
KevinandMargaret Mills Was that Jack Nyberg from Ngahere.

KevinandMargaret Mills
Peter Robertson yes he was a lovely chap but had a few health issues

Peter Robertson
KevinandMargaret Mills Last saw Jack in 1989 at a school reunion Didn't know he passed.Always a nice bloke despite a somewhat difficult upbringing

KevinandMargaret Mills
Peter Robertson was a sad life I from what he told me . We kept an eye on him and tried to help him. Was found passed away in his bed so sad

KevinandMargaret Mills
Peter Robertson passed away 2015

KevinandMargaret Mills
Our Neighbour was Jack Nyberg he worked on the railway sadly he passed away a few years back.
· Reply ·

· 18h
Peter Robertson
KevinandMargaret Mills Was that Jack Nyberg from Ngahere.

Kathryn Carty
One for you Kevin Hawthorn!

Cathie Pengelly
This is my great grandparents.

James Codyre
In the 1960's I was a turner down it the New Forest Mill in Ngahere where the breaker down was Paddy Nyberg.Jim Hynes was riding the Pacific Bench (ie .Pulling the levers).Twin 6' circular saws cooled by lots of water were used.Jackie,Don and Paddy Ann were kids that they raised on the place on the road to the Blackball Bridge,Might have been more but before my time.

Linda Sinclair
James Codyre panty Ann my sister-inlaw

Julie Kevin Hawthorn
My grandfather was Evert Nyberg (Emil Nyberg's nephew) Emil lived with my grandparents until his death. I visited my grandparents grave today at Wakapuaka. I have visited Prästholm where Evert was brought up (nearest village is Ranea) 5 times. A beautiful place.
May be an image of outdoors, monument and text

Julie Kevin Hawthorn
Evert Nyberg's childhood home in Prästholm, Sweden.

Lyn N Moe
A old book has the mill being started by John and Emil and Anton Larsen.

Kevin Barron
New Jack when we to school caught the same bus into Grey

KevinandMargaret Mills
Kevin Barron a lovely man but didn’t look after himself

Julie Kevin Hawthorn
My grandfather Evert Nyberg was their nephew. He came to NZ in 1925 from Prästholm (Råneå), Sweden. Next year I will be visiting family who still live in the house he was born in.

KevinandMargaret Mills
Jack Nyberg was our neighbour in Blenheim

Wendy McDiarmid
My cousins are Nybergs.

Ceol Mhor NZ
Nybergs in Blackball.

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ALBUM - John Nyberg and wife Catherine Kennedy owners of Swede`s Mill.Ruru.

Editing is temporarily disabled