Horace Beeton (10 December 1857 to 08 October 1933)1
Born and raised in London, Horace Beeton trained as a draper’s assistant and at the age of 21 decided to try his luck in New Zealand. Here he rented a house out to the unemployed and started the Sovereign Tea Company in Christchurch. After a short while the earth began to shake so decided to head for Australia.2
Arriving in Sydney Horace was employed by Farmer & Co and later in a Maitland drapery establishment.3
He teamed up with P F McPhellamy and in 1883 they set out for Taree to start a business of saddlery and general goods.4 Horace could see the hotel trade was a good earner so he applied for a licence but was refused due to not being married, this was rectified by his marriage to Elizabeth S Boyce.5
Horace played a major part in the progress of Taree and in 1885 the town was incorporated.6 He became the first town clerk, inspector of nuisances and bailiff, his remuneration was £50 per annum plus a bond of £100. He remained in this position only until the incorporation was finalised.7
Up until his demise Horace took on many business ventures thus helping Taree’s future.
Author: Ken Beeton based on compilations by L Mc Martin & L Easter.
References:
1 Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014; NSW BDM, death index no. 20781/1933.
2 Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of NSW, 11 October 1933, 2.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 NSW BDM, marriage index no. 5264/1885.
6 Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of NSW, 11 October 1933, 2.
7 Northern Champion, 16 March 1935, 2.
