Nathaniel Wilson

Nathaniel Wilson (1836–23 September 1919) was an entrepreneur considered the 'father of cement' in New Zealand. Wilson initially trained as a cobbler before heading to the Victorian goldfields. He later returned to New Zealand and moved in with his family on a farm near Warkworth. Wilson plied his trade as a cobbler before a bout of ill health led him to purchase a farm. Wilson discovered lime deposits on his farm and started a company with his brothers to supply lime. Wilson began to experiment with cement production and was the first to produce Portland cement in the Southern Hemisphere. His business grew to become the largest cement company in New Zealand. Wilson constructed many buildings with concrete, including his own retirement home, Riverina. In addition to his business adventures Wilson was a prominent local politician serving as chairman of the Rodney County Council and Warkworth Town Board. Early life Nathaniel Wilson was born in 1836 in Glasgow, Scotland. Wilson arrived in New Zealand with his family on 9 October 1842 aboard the Duchess of Argyle. Wilson's father William was a blacksmith with the Imperial Forces and was based in Auckland. William took his family to Kawau Island where he worked as a blacksmith for a copper mining company. After the closure of the mines in the 1850s the family moved back to Auckland. Wilson apprenticed as a cobbler before moving to the Victorian goldfields.

James Alexander Pond sent Wilson The Science and Art of Portland Cement Manufacture and Wilson began experimenting with cement production. Cement was not a popular building product at the time in New Zealand (brick was preferred), although the Rangitoto Beacon was constructed with Wilson's concrete. Wilson built show homes in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn but this venture nearly bankrupted the company. The company recovered and in 1899 won the contract to provide cement for the Wellington harbour reclamation and the Waikino Battery. That same year it won a gold medal at the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition. Four of the sons went into the cement business.

Wilson died on 23 September 1919. Legacy Wilson's role in developing the cement industry in New Zealand and the town of Warkworth have led to him being referred to as the 'father' of the town and cement.