Henry France (1821 - 1873)

Born 1821 in London, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Helen (Anderson) France — married 1858 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 1873 at about age 52 in Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand

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Biography

Henny was born in 1821. He came to NZ aboard the Clara in 1851 ^[1]

He married Helen Anderson in 1858^[2] He passed away in 1873 age 52 ^[3] THE LATE MR HENRY FRANCE.

On Tuesday last, there parted away from our midst an old and highly respected resident of Oamaru — Mr Henry France. This gentleman has for years been intimately associated with public matters in this town, and on its behalf, and by his uprightness and integrity of character, and his genial and kindly disposition had won hosts of friends, while in all his career amongst us he made, so far as we know, not a single enemy. There are many in Oamaru who owe their position in life to his kindly help for indeed, Henry France was generous almost to a fault. Of late years his health has been greatly broken, but before this occurred, the firm clasp of his hand and the hearty laugh that was always his, spoke the strong, determined, goodhearted, genial man. Mr France's has been a chequered career. Born in London in 1821, he studied for some three years in University College as a medical student, but in later life gave up the profession, it not being congenial to hit tastes and temperament. As a young man he proceeded to the West Indies, where, for some four years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently, he made several trips as surgeon in a whaling ship, and in 1852 or 1853, made his way to this locality. He was for some time Sergeant of Police at Dunedin, and next removed to Otepopo,, where he opened a general store. Subsequently, he removed to Oamaru, and opened a store on the Beach Hood in the premises presently occupied by Mr O'Meagher. for tho sale of 'general merchandice, retailing everything in those early days from "a noodle to an anohor" — drugs, drapery, groceries, and everything; being, also, the first Post-master of Oamaru. Here he was always hospitable, and, in fact, kept open house. He remained here for 4 or 5 years, and, 'then removed to those promises in Tyne-street presently occupied by Mr B. Collis. to whioh place the Post office was also removed. Subsequently (and about the time that Mr O. Lemon was appointed postmaster) Mr Franoe removed to the adjoining promises, now in the occupation of Mr A. H. Maude, but previously to his removal thereto, occupied by Messrs M'Lood and Gibson. Some two or three year's afterwards Mr France sold his business to Mr James Bee, and removed to the store now occupied by Mr James Udall, but at the time just vacated by Messrs Dalgety, Rattray, and Co., where for some time he carried on business as a merchant, commission agent, and auctioneer. Thereafter he removed to his property on the Flat, still known as" France's Block," where he erected a dwelling-house and store, and where he ended his days, on Tuesday last. Between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon he was seized with an apoplectic fit, and was carried out of the store into his house, where he expired at about hair-past 9 the same evening. Mr France served in the first and second Municipal Councils in Oamaru, and was member of the Provincial Council, for the Lindis seat, until the redistribution, when that district was merged in the Waitaki, for which Mr Sumpter is now the representative. He was, also, a member of the Dock Trust, and, indeed, for many years, has always been ready and willing to do all in his power for the benefit of his fellow citizens, and for the advancement of the town. He passes away regretted by all, for we all would fain have seen him with us for many years. . It will be seen by the foregoing that Mr' France wns 52, years of age. .He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss, ' ,^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE, VOLUME X, ISSUE 495, 30 AUGUST 1851, PAGE 119
2. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1858/1357
3. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1873/14075
4. ↑ NORTH OTAGO TIMES, VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE 879, 24 OCTOBER 1873, PAGE 2