The Joll family has had an association with Havelock North since the 1860s, when John Joll developed farmland in nearby Pukahu (Te Aute Road area) to supply his Havelock butchery.
The butchery was sold in 1876 to John Hague, as tragically John Joll was gored by a bull on his
farm earlier that year, and died two years later, having never recovered from his injuries.
John Joll's widow, Fanny, with her children, moved from the Pukahu farm back into Havelock after her husband's death. Fanny tried to keep the farm going, but eventually had to sell and lease the property.
Two of John's sons - John Henry Joll (known as Henry) and William set up a Blacksmith business on the corner of the now Joll Road and Middle Road in the 1890s, as pictured circa 1895.
Henry Joll is on the far left, and bootmaker Andrew Peters, whose real name was Andreas Birkegaard - he anglicised his name, as many immigrants did - is on the far right.
