George Matthew Snelson was the first Mayor of Palmerston North and is considered Palmerston Norths founding father. He was an ironmonger, a storekeeper and a community leader.
Snelson was born in AshbydelaZouch, Leicestershire, England, onNovember 1837. His parents were James Snelson and Mary . He left school when he wasto learn the trade of ironmonger and hardware merchant in Melton Mowbray. At age 19, he moved to Bedford for new employment.
Source: Wikipedia