Pastor Hans Madsen Ries Kirsten Lauridsen New Zealand

Hans Madsen Ries (1860-1926) was born at Stenderup, Haderslev, Denmark on 5 December 1860
- He was one of 18 children of Andreas Madsen RIES, a farmer, and his wife, Kjestine Marie HANSEN
- he became a Lutheran pastor and arrived in New Zealand early 1886

- he married Kirsten LAURIDSEN (1857-1939) in 1887

Ries visited Denmark in 1890 and returned with his widowed mother and three of his sisters

In 1895 he became minister in Dannevirke, an honorary post which he combined with farming activities, probably dairying and horse-rearing, at Mangatera where he resided. He founded a business, H. M. Ries and Sons, which sold farm vehicles, implements and horses, successfully tapping a market created when the bushlands surrounding Dannevirke were opened up for dairy farming

In 1903 he was elected as Mayor of Dannevirke (includes his photo)

their children were:

1888 Laurids Andreas Ries
- Laurids died aged 30 days

1890 Hans Madsen Ries
- married Ada Helena CARLSON (1891-1982) in 1915
- Hans died aged 64 in 1953

1893 Kjerstine Marie Ries

1895 Johanne Ries
- married Geoffrey Wray (1896-1984) HAIRE in 1924
- Johanne died in 1971 aged 74

1895 Maren Bork Lauridsen Ries
- married Edward George WHITFIELD (1896-1959) in 1920
- Maren died in 1971 aged 76

1898 Andreas Madsen Ries
- married Emily IBBOTSON (1897-1964) in 1920
- Andreas died in 1977 aged 79

1899 Laura Euphemia Ries
- married Percy Edwin ALLARDICE (1895-1954) in 1923
- Laura died in 1986 aged 86

As pastor, businessman and politician, Hans played a leading role in the development of Dannevirke. He is commemorated in Ries Street

Both Hans & Kirsten are buried in the Settlers Cemetery Dannevirke along with his mother Kjerstine who died on 1st September 1913 aged 80