James Henry
| First name | James |
|---|---|
| Last name | Henry |
| Country of Origin | Northern Ireland |
| Date of Birth | 1826 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1842 |
| Submitted by | Kathryn Roccon |
Story
James Henry (Chemist & Druggist) was born in the North of Ireland in 1826. For numerous years he was articled to three different Doctors with one being Dr Frederick Mackellar (grandfather of the poet Dorothea McKellar).James visited the gold diggings of Turon and Bendigo and on arriving back in Sydney, established a well known Chemist Shop in George St, next door to A. Hordern & Sons Drapery Warehouse, close to Haymarket. This business was one of the oldest in Sydney and he was often consulted in his shop by people like Sir Henry Parkes.
James was a foundation member of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institution. He married twice, once in 1854 and again in 1875 and had a large family of five sons and four daughters. His first son, Thomas J. Henry, travelled by sea, which was hazardous and expensive, to Edinburgh University and later qualified as a doctor. James’s second son, Arthur G. Henry was one of the first six medical students who successfully passed his examination at Sydney University.
One of Jame’s grandson’s was a member of Parliament, another a Olympic Swimmer and another a Pioneer of Australian Aviation who was also a bit of a aussie Larrikin being the first to fly his plane under the Harbour Bridge.
James Henry after having a full and interesting life died in November 1893.