Early settlers 

John William Kershaw

John Kershaw was born at Timaru South Canterbury in March 1873 . He was educated at Mount Cook school Wellington from where he was employed by Hayman and Co.  He then entered the grocery trade under W John and Co. He next  was employed by the Wairarapa Farmers Co-op Company variously at their Masterton , Carterton  and Pahiatua  stores.

In 1898 at the age of twenty five he came to Martinborough as the accountant for Pain and Haycock. In the early 1900s George Pain left active participation in the company to go farming. To quote from the George Pain Story:  ‘In 1903 George left the business to  John and Tommy and gave his last three years profits to them and asked that they would retain his name in the business ’ .  In a short time John bought out Tommy Haycock and so the business became Pain and Kershaw.

John Kershaw was very active in the early Martinborough community. He was a Town Board Commissioner from 1906 and a member of the Martinborough Electric Power.  Chairman of the Martinborough Tennis Club  and past Master and Treasurer  Of the Martinborough Oddfellow’s lodge. Board, chairman from 1924 to 1931.  A quote from the paper of 12th June 1916 ‘ A Smoke Concert was arranged  to make a presentation to Brother John Kershaw to welcome him home from active service.’ 

John William Kershaw  was a very active in the Martinborough Community and his family still is.

Mate Higginson