Peter Frank Jacobsen

Born: , 1851, Nelson, NZ
Died: 17 June, 1893 (aged 42) Wellington, NZ

Architecture [1]
Peter Frank Jacobsen did make a success of his architectural career, but was unfortunate enough to contract typhoid in 1893 when he was 42. He had however been responsible for the design of at least 20 buildings in those first three years of the 1890s, mainly dwellings in the Te Aro area, but including two club buildings (one in Petone), a shop in Willis Street and the Shamrock Hotel, then sited in Molesworth Street. Prior to 1890 he had worked in partnership with his brother Theodore from 1888 producing a wide range of designs for villas, offices, stores, a hall and shops spread over the greater Wellington area, but including Mount Victoria, Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay in the inner city. Both brothers had been trained in architecture by their father, himself formerly an architect in Canterbury. Peter Jacobsen had been a Freemason which would have provided a valuable social network for him.

Peter Frank Jacobsen was clearly a competent architect who could adapt readily to a wide range of styles and circumstances, even after the partnership with his brother was dissolved. Both had the initial advantage of having trained under the apprentice system with a competent architect to begin with. Masonic connections would have helped them in their business. Jacobsen was highly unlucky contracting typhoid at such a young age. No will or estate values have been located for him.

ca. 1900s [2]

Following the 1st NZ Champs after a contretemps with Henry Hookham, the current NZ Champ, Jacobsen had a match with him as described here.

Shamrock Hotel, Wellington, ca. 2010
Constructed: 1893, Architect: Peter Frank Jacobsen

Adelaide Observer Sat 3 Apr 1880 No. 837. By Mr. P. F. Jacobsen (Ohristchurch, New Zealand). (From the Canterbury Times.) White to play and mate in two moves

https://friendsofkaroricemetery.co.nz/peter-frank-jacobsen/
Peter Frank Jacobsen was primarily a highly respected architect but also gained note as an accomplished chess champion.
Peter Jacobsen, and his younger brother Theodore, were born in Nelson. Their father Johann Sigismund Martin Jacobsen was a builder and designer, and both sons were trained by him in Christchurch. Frank established the partnership of Jacobsen and Peez in c.1880 and moved to Wellington in 1888.
The Jacobsen brothers formed a partnership which designed about 20 buildings over a ten year period. The partnership dissolved in c.1890 and Theodore moved to Palmerston North in c.1893. Frank remained in Wellington and designed at least 13 houses, two club buildings, a shop and the Shamrock Hotel.
As a chess player Jacobsen had a formidable reputation. Whilst in Christchurch he was especially energetic in bringing about New Zealand’s first chess championship congress (1879), in which he took part, winning the third prize. He is interestingly described as having a “colonial reputation as a chess player.” He was a very prominent prize winner in local tournaments, his last success being to gain the first prize in a large competition promoted by the Wellington Workingmen’s Chess Club, of which he had been President for two years at the time of his death.
He died in 1893 of Typhoid and was buried in Karori Public Section Plot number 243

New Zealand Mail 23 June 1893
At about half-past 5 on Saturday morning Mr Frank P. Jacobsen, the well-known architect, succumbed to a prolonged attack of typhoid fever. The deceased, who was of a most genial disposition and a universal favourite, had been trained for the profession by his father. He had practised in Nelson, Christchurch and Napier, and finally settled in Wellington some five years ago. His name has been connected as architect with many important buildings in this city. His last work was the designing of McGill’s buildings in Willis street, and the new Working Men's Club on the reclaimed land. He was an ardent votary of chess. Mr Jacobsen was a Freemason, and a member of the St. Augustine Lodge, Christchurch. He leaves a widow and three children. His remains were interred in the Karori Cemetery on Monday afternoon. The funeral cortege consisted of 12 carriages and a number of mourners on foot. Amongst these present were a number of the officers and members of the Wellington Working Men’s Club. Mr Theodore Jacobsen, deceased's brother, was chief mourner.

New Zealand Mail 23 June 1893
OBITUARY. Death has been very busy in our midst of late; and it is with great regret that we have to add to our list of losses the name of P, F. Jacobsen, architect, of thL city, who died on the 17th inst. from typhoid fever. Mr Jacobsen was born at Nelson, but removed with his parents to Christchurch, where he resided for a long time. Some eight years or so ago he went to live at Napier, and h’om thence, about five years since, he came to Wellington, where he remained up to the. time of his death. Mr Jacobsen had a colonial reputation as a chess player, and when he was in constant practice he played an exceptionally strong game. Mr Jacobsen took a good deal of interest in chess matters here, and for the last two or three years he was president of the Wellington Working Men’s Chess Club. He will be much missed by the chess fraternity here.

NZCA Book of the 30th and 31st congresses
Published Wellington 1922
OBITUARY

NZ Chess Championships Results

Year	Location	Won	Draw	Lost	Points	Place
1879	CHRISTCHURCH - 1st	8	0	6	8	3

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References:
[1] AHA: Architectural History Aotearoa (2007) vol 4
"Carpenter, Artisan, Architect; Status In Late Nineteenth-century Wellington"
[2]