Henry Holbrook Explained

Henry Holbrook
Office1:Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, Executive Council of British Columbia
Term Start1:November 28, 1871
Term End1:1875
Premier1:
Predecessor1:n/a
Successor1:Forbes George Vernon
Office2:MLA for New Westminster City
Term Start2:October 1871
Term End2:November 28, 1871
Predecessor2:n/a
Successor2:Alexander Robinson
Office3:MCA for Douglas and Lillooet
Term Start3:1863
Term End3:1866
Predecessor3:District established
Successor3:Assembly dissolved
Office4:3rd Mayor of New Westminster
President of New Westminster (1962–63, 1867–69)
Term Start4:1878
Term End4:1878
Predecessor4:Thomas Robert McInnes
Successor4:W.D. Ferris
Term Start5:1867
Term End5:1869
Predecessor5:John Robson
Successor5:William Armstrong
Term Start6:1862
Term End6:1863
Predecessor6:John Ramage
Successor6:Robert Dickinson

Henry Holbrook (July 11, 1820  - May 11, 1902) was an English-born merchant and political figure in British Columbia. He represented New Westminster City in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1871 to 1875.[1]

The son of Samuel Holbrook, he was born in Northwich and was educated in Witton, Cheshire. Holbrook entered business as a merchant in Liverpool. He was a contractor during the Crimean War and later lived in Odessa, Ukraine. Holbrook came to Victoria, British Columbia at the start of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of 1858. He settled in New Westminster the following year when it became the capital of the Colony of British Columbia, opening a store there. He served as alderman on the municipal council,[1] also serving as president of the council (mayor).[2] In 1864, he ran unsuccessfully to represent New Westminster District in the Colonial Assembly of British Columbia but was elected for Douglas and Lillooet District. Holbrook opposed the union of the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia in 1866, which led to Victoria becoming the capital.[1]

Although he developed some doubts, Holbrook generally supported union with Canada. In 1870, he went to Ottawa as an unofficial delegate to discuss the terms of union. In 1871, he was named Chief Commissioner of Land and Works in the provincial cabinet; he then became president of the Executive Council instead. Holbrook was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1875. In 1880, he returned to England for his health. Although he never returned, Holbrook retained an interest in British Columbia. In 1884, he published British Columbia gold mines; a paper read before the Liverpool Geological Association .... He died at Talbot House in Parkgate at the age of 81.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Gresko . Jacqueline . Henry Holbrook. . 1994 . 2011-07-17.
  2. Web site: Mayors of New Westminster . Local History . City of New Westminster . 2011-07-17 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043815/http://www.nwheritage.org/heritagesite/history/content/mayors.htm . dead .