Death of Mr. Henry Keesing.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2820, 12 May 1879, Page 3

Death of Mr. Henry Keesing.

Tins gentleman died on Sunday morning, at. half-past two at liis residence, Waterloo Quadrant, in the 89th year of his age. Mr Keesing had been failing in health for some time past, hence his death was not unexpected. MrKeesingwasanativc of Amsterdam, thecapitalcityof Holland, and was boru iv the year 1791. Having travelled, in his younger days, over the Continent of Europe, visiting its chief commercial cities, Mr Keesing settled in London in 1813, two years before the battle of Waterloo ; and in London he married, and commenced a successful course of business ; indeed, by his pushing habits, he made a competency. Unfortunately, however, through the failure of a bank, Mr Keesing suffered great pecuniary loss. A young family of sons and daughters were gathering around him, and he considered that the wisest step he could take would be to emigrate, and in March, 1843, he embarked by the ship Union for Auckland. On reaching this city, he commenced business in Shortlandstreet. As soon as circumstances would pernrit he sent for his family, and they arrived in due time. Mr Keesing progressed in business, for which lie possessed a natural aptitude, and earned the respect and friendship of the most influential citizens, and especially of the late Colonel Wynyard and Sir George Grey. Deceased lived for some years at his country residence at Epsom, the first respectable house that was erected in that neighbourhood Shortly after their return to the skirts of the city, in order to be near their family and old friends, Mrs Keesing died (in 1861), and where he died yesterday morning, at n patriarchal age which few men are permitted to reach. In his latter days Mr Keesing had the daily society of one or other of the members of his family and old friends. Mr Keesing had been a persevering man of business, of unostentatious pretensions, and a gentleman who disliked anything approaching to sham and outside show, without honest, active principles within. On leaving London for this country, a large number of persons who had known him pressed forward to shake him by the hand, expressing fears that he would nc\er reach the shores of Mew Zealand. But he had made up his mind to go, not so much for his own sake as for the sake of his rising family. His elder sou, Bernard, was already in Auckland, pushing his way with a boat between Waiheke and Auckland, and performing his nearest duties. The high rate of wages was another of the causes which tempted Mr Keesing across the seas.'"! His last years were extremely peaceful Jand serene. He leaves behind him a numerous family of sons and daughters and grand-children, to perpetuate bin name, and emulate his virtues, jj^;