Henry Holbrook

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]

Henry Holbrook
Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, Executive Council of British Columbia
In office November 28, 1871 – 1875
Premier	John Foster McCreight Amor De Cosmos George Anthony Walkem
Preceded by	n/a
Succeeded by	Forbes George Vernon
MLA for New Westminster City
In office October 1871 – November 28, 1871
Preceded by	n/a
Succeeded by	Alexander Robinson
MCA for Douglas and Lillooet
In office 1863–1866
Preceded by	District established
Succeeded by	Assembly dissolved
3rd Mayor of New Westminster President of New Westminster (1962–63, 1867–69)
In office 1878–1878
Preceded by	Thomas Robert McInnes
Succeeded by	W.D. Ferris
In office 1867–1869
Preceded by	John Robson
Succeeded by	William Armstrong
In office 1862–1863
Preceded by	John Ramage
Succeeded by	Robert Dickinson

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]

References

1. Gresko, Jacqueline (1994). "Henry Holbrook". Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
2. "Mayors of New Westminster". Local History. City of New Westminster. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2011.