Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 315

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

J.D. HUMPHREYS: PIONEER & SPORT

314

576

The firm of John D. Humphreys and Son, with which is associated the Humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Ltd., perpetuates the name of one who was a pioneer and sportsman in the true sense of the term. Much of the history of the firm is, in fact, the life history of J.D. Humphreys the first. A summary of his career was published at the time of his death, in 1897, and I take the following facts from the Hongkong Telegraph.

In its issue of November 10, 1897, the paper stated:

A cablegram from England yesterday brought the sad news of the death of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, one of the oldest and best known of Hongkong's business men. The deceased gentleman was trained for a commercial career, and when a young man he spent some time in India. Then, like thousands of others, he was attracted to Australia by the gold discoveries, and he spent several years working on the gold-fields. Subsequently, he came to Hongkong, in 1867, and became book-keeper to Messrs. A.S. Watson and Co. His employers appreciated his services so well that in the following year he, in conjunction with the late Mr. Hunt, was left in charge of the business, which on the retirement of the previous partner was acquired by these two gentlemen. Mr. Humphreys subsequently purchased Mr. Hunt's interest and became the sole proprietor. The concern rapidly expanded, branches being established all over China, and in 1886 it was turned into a public company. Mr. Humphreys retaining the largest interest and continuing as general manager.

Mr. Humphreys was also interested in various other companies, his firm of John D. Humphreys and Son being in due course the general managers of the Hongkong High Level Tramways Co., Limited, (now the Peak Tramway Co.); the Humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Limited; Olivers Freehold Mines, Limited; and the New Balmoral Gold Mining Co., Limited.

Upon the winding up of the Mount Austin Hotel Co., Limited, Mr. Humphreys acquired the property, and a few months before his death sold it to the military authorities. (It now forms Mount Austin barracks).

He was the first chairman of the Kowloon College, which received a great deal of assistance from him.

Mr. Humphreys was a keen lover of sport, and for a number of years was a Steward of the Hongkong Jockey Club. For some time he was also a member of the Sanitary Board, to which position he was elected by the ratepayers.

He was a true-hearted and generous friend, concludes the Telegraph, and his death will be sincerely mourned by many.

The paper adds: Mr. Humphreys left Hongkong for Australia last year (1896) to inspect the gold-mining properties in which he was interested, and afterwards he proceeded to England. It was understood that he was about to retire from active business and not return to Hongkong. An affection of the heart which had been troubling him for some time past is thought to have caused his death, just when he was entering on a well-earned period of rest. He was 61 years of age, and leaves a widow and five grown-up sons to mourn his death.

In its issue of November 27, 1897, the Telegraph published the following:

Page 315

Page 316

Edit History

2026-05-02 12:55:37 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct

Live

View comparison

AI Proofread

J.D. HUMPHREYS: PIONEER & SPORT 314 576 The firm of John D. Humphreys and Son, with which is associated the Humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Ltd., perpetuates the name of one who was a pioneer and sportsman in the true sense of the term. Much of the history of the firm is, in fact, the life history of J.D. Humphreys the first. A summary of his career was published at the time of his death, in 1897, and I take the following facts from the Hongkong Telegraph. In its issue of November 10, 1897, the paper stated: A cablegram from England yesterday brought the sad news of the death of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, one of the oldest and best known of Hongkong's business men. The deceased gentleman was trained for a commercial career, and when a young man he spent some time in India. Then, like thousands of others, he was attracted to Australia by the gold discoveries, and he spent several years working on the gold-fields. Subsequently, he came to Hongkong, in 1867, and became book-keeper to Messrs. A.S. Watson and Co. His employers appreciated his services so well that in the following year he, in conjunction with the late Mr. Hunt, was left in charge of the business, which on the retirement of the previous partner was acquired by these two gentlemen. Mr. Humphreys subsequently purchased Mr. Hunt's interest and became the sole proprietor. The concern rapidly expanded, branches being established all over China, and in 1886 it was turned into a public company. Mr. Humphreys retaining the largest interest and continuing as general manager. Mr. Humphreys was also interested in various other companies, his firm of John D. Humphreys and Son being in due course the general managers of the Hongkong High Level Tramways Co., Limited, (now the Peak Tramway Co.); the Humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Limited; Olivers Freehold Mines, Limited; and the New Balmoral Gold Mining Co., Limited. Upon the winding up of the Mount Austin Hotel Co., Limited, Mr. Humphreys acquired the property, and a few months before his death sold it to the military authorities. (It now forms Mount Austin barracks). He was the first chairman of the Kowloon College, which received a great deal of assistance from him. Mr. Humphreys was a keen lover of sport, and for a number of years was a Steward of the Hongkong Jockey Club. For some time he was also a member of the Sanitary Board, to which position he was elected by the ratepayers. He was a true-hearted and generous friend, concludes the Telegraph, and his death will be sincerely mourned by many. The paper adds: Mr. Humphreys left Hongkong for Australia last year (1896) to inspect the gold-mining properties in which he was interested, and afterwards he proceeded to England. It was understood that he was about to retire from active business and not return to Hongkong. An affection of the heart which had been troubling him for some time past is thought to have caused his death, just when he was entering on a well-earned period of rest. He was 61 years of age, and leaves a widow and five grown-up sons to mourn his death. In its issue of November 27, 1897, the Telegraph published the following: Page 315 Page 316

Baseline (Original)

J.D. HUMPHREYS: PIONEER & SPORT 314 576 The firm of John. D. Humphreys and Son, with which is associa ted the humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Ltd., perpetuates the name of one who was a pioneer and sportsman in the true sense of the term. Much of the history of the firm is, in fact, the life history of J.D. Humphreys the first. A summary of his career was published at the time of his death, in 1897, and I take the following facts from the Hongkong Telegraph. In its issue of November 10, 1897, the paper stated: A cablegram from England yesterday brought the sad news of vhe death of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, one of the oldest and best known of ongkong's business men. The deceased gentleman was trained for a commercial career, and when a young man he spent some time in India. Then like thousands of others he was attracted to Australia by the gold discoveries, and he spent several years working on the gold- fields. Subsequently he came to. Hongkong, in 1867, and became book-keeper to Messrs. A.S. Watson and Co. His employers appreciated his services so well that in the following year he in conjunction with the late Mr. Hunt, was left in charge of the business, which on the retirement of the previous partner was acquired by these two gentlemen. Mr. Humphreys subsequently purchased Mr. Hunt's interest and became the sole proprietor. The concert rapidly expanded branches being e stablished all over China, and in 1886 it was turned into a public company. Mr. Humphreys retaining the largest interest and continuing asgeneral manager, Mr. Humphreys was also interested in various other companies, his firm of John D. Humphreys and Son being in due course the general managers of the Hongkong High Level Tramways Co., Limited, (now the Peak Tramway Co.); the Humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Limited; Olivers Freehold Mines, Limited; and the New Balmoral Gold Mining Co., Limited. Upon the winding up of the Mount Austin Hotel Ch., Limited, Mr. Humphreys acquired the property, and a few months before his death sold it to the military authorities. (it now forms Mount Austin bar- racks). He was the first chairman of the Kowloon College, which received a great deal of assistance from him. Mr. Humphreys was a keen lover of sport, and for a number of years was a Steward of the Hongkong Jockey Club. For some time he was also a member of the Sanitary Board, to which position he was elected by the ratepayers. he was a true hearted and generous friend, concludes the Telegraph, and his death will be sincerely mourned by many. The paper adds. - Mr. Humphreys left Hongkong for Australia last year (1896) to inspect the gold-mining properties in which he was interested, and afterwards he proceeded to England. understood that he was about to retire from active business and not return to Hongkong. An affection of the heart which had been troubling him for some time past is thought to have cus ed his death, Just when he was entering on a well-earred period of rest. He was 1 years of age, and laves a widow and five grown-up sons to mourn his death. In its issue of November 27, 1897, the Telegraph published ne following: Page 315Page 316

2026-05-02 12:55:37 · Baseline

View content

J.D. HUMPHREYS: PIONEER & SPORT

314

576

The firm of John. D. Humphreys and Son, with which is associa ted the humphreys Estate and Finance Company, Ltd., perpetuates the name of one who was a pioneer and sportsman in the true sense of the term. Much of the history of the firm is, in fact, the life history of J.D. Humphreys the first. A summary of his career was published at the time of his death, in 1897, and I take the following facts from the Hongkong Telegraph.

In its issue of November 10, 1897, the paper stated:

A cablegram from England yesterday brought the sad news of vhe death of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, one of the oldest and best known of

ongkong's business men. The deceased gentleman was trained for a commercial career, and when a young man he spent some time in India. Then like thousands of others he was attracted to Australia by the gold discoveries, and he spent several years working on the gold- fields. Subsequently he came to. Hongkong, in 1867, and became book-keeper to Messrs. A.S. Watson and Co. His employers appreciated his services so well that in the following year he in conjunction with the late Mr. Hunt, was left in charge of the business, which on the retirement of the previous partner was acquired by these two gentlemen. Mr. Humphreys subsequently purchased Mr. Hunt's interest and became the sole proprietor. The concert rapidly expanded branches being e stablished all over China, and in 1886 it was turned into a public company. Mr. Humphreys retaining the largest interest and continuing asgeneral manager,

Upon the winding up of the Mount Austin Hotel Ch., Limited, Mr. Humphreys acquired the property, and a few months before his death sold it to the military authorities. (it now forms Mount Austin bar- racks).

He was the first chairman of the Kowloon College, which received a great deal of assistance from him.

he was a true hearted and generous friend, concludes the Telegraph, and his death will be sincerely mourned by many.

The paper adds. - Mr. Humphreys left Hongkong for Australia last year (1896) to inspect the gold-mining properties in which he was interested, and afterwards he proceeded to England. understood that he was about to retire from active business and not return to Hongkong. An affection of the heart which had been troubling him for some time past is thought to have cus ed his death, Just when he was entering on a well-earred period of rest. He was 1 years of age, and laves a widow and five grown-up sons to mourn his death.

Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 315

Edit History

Comments

Private Research Note