Rush Family History
The Story of the Rush Family
Ignatius Thomas Richard Rush, 1870-1931
This page lists the second child of John Henry Rush and Sarah Ruth Grennan.
Born on the 27th July 1870, Ignatius was the second child of John Henry and Sarah Rush. He was born and lived all his life in Palmerston North, the 1928 electoral roll listing his address as 13 Wellesborne Street.
A wheelwright by trade, "Dick" as he was known, married Alice Emily Fowles on 21 August 1899 in St Bridget's Church, Feilding. The marriage notice read (parts obscured): The wedding was solemnised yesterday afternoon in St Bridget's Church, Feilding, when Mr I T R Rush (Richard), the second son of Mr John Rush, of Palmerston North, was united in the bands of matrimony with Miss Alice Fowles, eldest daughter of Mr Joe Fowles of Feilding. Misses Rose Rush, ??? Fowles acted as bridesmaids, and ??? Rush acted as best man. The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr Frank Fowles. After the marriage ceremony the guests were entertained at a wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's parents. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Meara, and as the wedding party left the church Mr Joe Kearsley played the Wedding March in fine style. Mr and Mrs Rush left by the evening train for Wanganui on a honeymoon trip, taking with them the best wishes of many friends, for their future happiness and prosperity, with whom we heartily join. (Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 44, 22 August 1899, Page 2).
Another notice in the Feilding Star stated: MARRIAGE. Rush Fowles At St Bridget's church, Feilding, on August 21st, 1899, by the Rev. Father O'Meara I. T. Richard Rush, second son of Mr John Rush, of Palmerston North, to Alice Emily, eldest daughter of Mr J. Fowles, of Feilding. (Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 44, 22 August 1899, Page 2).
They produced a daughter Alma in 1900, (BIRTH. Rush.— At her residence, Weld Street, Feilding, on July 16th, the wife of R. Rush, of a daughter. Feilding Star, Volume XXII, Issue 14, 17 July 1900, Page 2),and two sons, Ignatius Richard in 1902 (BIRTH. Rush. At her residence, Russell Street, on the 28th instant, the wife of Richard Rush, of a son. Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 153, 30 December 1902, Page 2), and Thomas Joseph in 1911 (no newspaper announcement found). Ignatius Junior owned a grocery store on the corner of McGifford and Fergusson Streets in Palmerston North for a number of years. Dick's brother Nam once bought a trap he had made from him.
Ignatius and Alice had 7 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 23 great-great grandchildren, totalling 55 descendants in all.
He is believed to have died of cancer on 3 June 1931, six weeks short of his 61st birthday.
Ignatius (Richard on the headstone) is buried in Plot 22, Block 83 of the Roman Catholic section of Terrace End Cemetery, Palmerston North, and was joined 22 years later by his wife Alice, who died on 10 September 1953 aged 77 years. (Photo from Palmerston North City Council website.)
1998 Family Reunion
The photo below shows the family group for Ignatius Thomas Richard at the 1998 Family Reunion.
Contact details
If you have any information or photos to add to this page, or any corrections, please contact Dale Hartle in Levin, New Zealand, by phone +64 021 45 34 24 or email .