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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Joseph McGiffert Cleland

Mr. Joseph McGiffert Cleland, who represented Thorndon Ward on the City Council from February. 1875, to September, 1877, was born near Belfast, County Down, Ireland, in 1835. His father, a North of Ireland farmer, sent him to the National Schools near Belfast, where he was educated. The subject of this notice was then apprenticed for four years to the grocery and provision trade in Birmingham, England, and was employed in general business till 1858, when he embarked for Wellington per ship “Robert Small.” Among his fellow passengers were Mr. (afterwards Mr. Justice) Johnston and other notable colonists. On arrival on the 13th of October of the same year, Mr. Cleland joined his brother at the Hutt, whom he assisted for some time in his business. For about a year subsequently he acted as manager of the late Mr. David Anderson's store in Wellington, and for a like period he was employed as chief clerk to the late Hon. J. Martin. Mr. Cleland entered into business in Wellington as a storekeeper in 1862, which he conducted successfully till 1874, when he retired. In 1871 he was married to Miss Annie, daughter of the late Mr. George Dixon. His family numbers four, one daughter and three sons, of whom two are farming at the Hutt.