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John Johnstone Loe
Description
TitleJohn Johnstone Loe
Alternative NameJ. J. LoeSummaryEllesmere run-holder, farmer, storekeeper and publicanDescriptionThe life of entrepreneur J. J. Loe was turbulent - he was initially prosperous as an early run-holder, land owner and farmer at Leeston, and as owner of the general store and the Leeston Hotel, as well as a member of the North Rakaia Board of Conservators, chairman of the Leeston School Committee and a Justice of the Peace. He gave land for the new Leeston Library, and for stockyards at Southbridge.
However, two of his three wives died at a young age, he was jailed for two years for forgery in 1880, and declared bankrupt by 1884, losing all land and assets. His later years were spent farming in Flaxton and as a storekeeper, presumably in Christchurch.First NameJohnMiddle NameJohnstoneLast NameLoeOccupationRunholder, Farmer, Storekeeper and PublicanDate of Birth1831Date of Death30 September 1900Age at Death69Other Biographical InformationJohn Johnstone Loe married three times:
1. 1861/3869 Elizabeth Hall & John Johnson Loe
The children of this marriage were:
1862/11759 Loe Alfred William Allen
1864/13036 Loe Mary Elizabeth
1866/17964 Loe Minnie
Elizabeth died in New Zealand, 1869, aged 38y.
2. 1870/7314 Rachel Frankish & John Johnstone Loe
Rachel died the same year, aged c.24 and is buried in Southbridge Cemetery.
3. 1872/4239 Elizabeth Jane Fabian & John Johnston Loe
They had one child:
1883/17652 Loe Rivers Johnson
In November 1864 J. J. Lowe opened a general store and public house known as the Leeston Hotel on Lower South Road in Leeston. In January 1872 a Post Office opened in the Store. J. J. Loe was also the Chairman of the Leeston School Board at this time. Loe gifted a piece of land for the new Leeston Library, and in 1872 he supplied land for the Southbridge sale yards.
In May 1879, while in his office, Loe shot himself on the right side of his head with a gun, but made a recovery. This was reported in the press as a suicide attempt 'caused by temporary monetary embarrassment', because of the depressed economy. He was soon after asked to declare insolvency; with his stock-in-trade sold, and a clearing sale of his estate held in July 1879. At this time he also released his seat on the North Rakaia Board of Conservators, and his role as a Justice of the Peace.
In November 1879 he was charged with obtaining a money order under false pretences: now residing in Christchurch, in January 1880 he was jailed in Lyttleton gaol for two years for forgery, with hard labour. In April 1881 his Leeston house with 200 acres of land were put up for auction: after a series of asset sales Loe was finally declared bankrupt in December 1884. In April 1883 he was farming at Flaxton and a parishioner of St. Paul's Church: at this time his 14-year-old son River Loe lost his arm from a gun injury while duck shooting. On 4 May 1884 Loe's 23-year-old son Alfred died at Flaxton.
At the time of his death in 1900 J. J. Loe's occupation was a storekeeper, and he was buried at Linwood in Christchurch.
Alternative NameJ. J. LoeSummaryEllesmere run-holder, farmer, storekeeper and publicanDescriptionThe life of entrepreneur J. J. Loe was turbulent - he was initially prosperous as an early run-holder, land owner and farmer at Leeston, and as owner of the general store and the Leeston Hotel, as well as a member of the North Rakaia Board of Conservators, chairman of the Leeston School Committee and a Justice of the Peace. He gave land for the new Leeston Library, and for stockyards at Southbridge.However, two of his three wives died at a young age, he was jailed for two years for forgery in 1880, and declared bankrupt by 1884, losing all land and assets. His later years were spent farming in Flaxton and as a storekeeper, presumably in Christchurch.
First NameJohnMiddle NameJohnstoneLast NameLoeOccupationRunholder, Farmer, Storekeeper and PublicanDate of Birth1831Date of Death30 September 1900Age at Death69Other Biographical InformationJohn Johnstone Loe married three times: 1. 1861/3869 Elizabeth Hall & John Johnson Loe
The children of this marriage were:
1862/11759 Loe Alfred William Allen
1864/13036 Loe Mary Elizabeth
1866/17964 Loe Minnie
Elizabeth died in New Zealand, 1869, aged 38y.
2. 1870/7314 Rachel Frankish & John Johnstone Loe
Rachel died the same year, aged c.24 and is buried in Southbridge Cemetery.
3. 1872/4239 Elizabeth Jane Fabian & John Johnston Loe
They had one child:
1883/17652 Loe Rivers Johnson
In November 1864 J. J. Lowe opened a general store and public house known as the Leeston Hotel on Lower South Road in Leeston. In January 1872 a Post Office opened in the Store. J. J. Loe was also the Chairman of the Leeston School Board at this time. Loe gifted a piece of land for the new Leeston Library, and in 1872 he supplied land for the Southbridge sale yards.
In May 1879, while in his office, Loe shot himself on the right side of his head with a gun, but made a recovery. This was reported in the press as a suicide attempt 'caused by temporary monetary embarrassment', because of the depressed economy. He was soon after asked to declare insolvency; with his stock-in-trade sold, and a clearing sale of his estate held in July 1879. At this time he also released his seat on the North Rakaia Board of Conservators, and his role as a Justice of the Peace.
In November 1879 he was charged with obtaining a money order under false pretences: now residing in Christchurch, in January 1880 he was jailed in Lyttleton gaol for two years for forgery, with hard labour. In April 1881 his Leeston house with 200 acres of land were put up for auction: after a series of asset sales Loe was finally declared bankrupt in December 1884. In April 1883 he was farming at Flaxton and a parishioner of St. Paul's Church: at this time his 14-year-old son River Loe lost his arm from a gun injury while duck shooting. On 4 May 1884 Loe's 23-year-old son Alfred died at Flaxton.
At the time of his death in 1900 J. J. Loe's occupation was a storekeeper, and he was buried at Linwood in Christchurch.
Collection
Connections
PlaceKarumata LeestonMore InformationJ. J. Loe is declared bankrupt in December 1884Read about J. J. Loe's house and land advertised for auction in January 1881Read about the Supreme Court proceedings of Loe's forgery trial in January 1880Read about Loe's charge of obtaining a money order under false pretences in November 1879Read about the Monster Clearance Sale of J. J. Loe's estate in July 1879J. J. Loe is asked to declare insolvency in May 1879Read about J. J. Loe's provision of land for the Southbridge SaleyardsSee the advertisement for J.J. Loe's Store and Leeston Hotel opening in November 1864Read about J.J. Loe's injury from a gunSee J. J. Loe's grave
More InformationJ. J. Loe is declared bankrupt in December 1884Read about J. J. Loe's house and land advertised for auction in January 1881Read about the Supreme Court proceedings of Loe's forgery trial in January 1880Read about Loe's charge of obtaining a money order under false pretences in November 1879Read about the Monster Clearance Sale of J. J. Loe's estate in July 1879J. J. Loe is asked to declare insolvency in May 1879Read about J. J. Loe's provision of land for the Southbridge SaleyardsSee the advertisement for J.J. Loe's Store and Leeston Hotel opening in November 1864Read about J.J. Loe's injury from a gunSee J. J. Loe's graveMilitary Service
Memorial or CemeteryLinwood
John Johnstone Loe. Selwyn Stories, accessed 11/02/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6583
