J B Holden & Co

Description

Agent TypeOrganisationActivities & OccupationsAuctioneersStock and station agentsHistoryThe firm of J B Holden & Co., Auctioneer and Commission Agent, was established in Port Fairy by John Bryson Holden in 1874. John Bryson Holden (b.July, 1835, “Keersbrook”, Randalstown, C. Antrim, Ireland) arrived in Victoria in November, 1855, on the Lightning and joined Manifold & Bostock, agents, in Warrnambool, before returning to England in 1863. He returned in 1864 and gained farming experience, before joining the firm of Samuel MacGregor & Co, in 1872 in charge of
the Belfast (Port Fairy) branch. The MacGregor business failed in 1874, but Holden’s management of the branch was such that no client lost money, and he commenced business on his own account on 23 October 1874. As a commission agent and auctioneer, he developed local business interests, and was an original investor in the Belfast & Koroit Steam Navigation Company. His office was in Bank St, Port Fairy and he lived at “Loongana” (demolished c.1930s) on
the Portland Road. He was well regarded in the community, a generous employer and supportive of local activities. He died in Port Fairy on 22 December1906 and the business passed to his son, J.A.Holden. J.A.Holden employed, after the Second World War, Leo Edward Osmond as an employee, who continued the firm after J.A. Holden’s death, until Osmond’s death on 1 July 1971.

Accession

Dates

Date1874-

University of Melbourne Archives

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J B Holden & Co