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- BIOGRAPHY
At the age of seven Frederic was admitted from the parish of St.John Hackney, Middlesex into Christ's Hospital. The presentation papers describe the reason for his parents entrusting him to this institution: 'Humbly showeth that the petitioner had a wife and ten children all dependant upon him for support with no other means than what arises from his business of Framework Knitter and which is upon average of 100 pounds stirling per annum.'
Once the children were 'signed over' to the Hospital, the child was legally their responsibility and at 'their disposal'. The document states that the board would ensure that the child entered an apprenticeship to a suitable trade or 'Calling, whether for Land or Sea employment, as they judge the child most suitable and proper'.
He received a good English education at the renowned Blue-Coat-School, then served an apprenticeship in the Goldsmith trade with the firm of Hopgoods and was made a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company of the City of London.
Frederic Glaskin married Louisa Christiana Litchfield in the parish church of Bow, Middlesex, on 26 August 1844, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Established Church of England. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. G.Townshend Shiffield, and witnesses were Joseph Glaskin and Ann Glaskin. On the 15th of February 1846, a son was stillborn, followed by Frederic Litchfield, born on the 12th of February 1847, and Joseph John, born on the 21st of November 1848. While his wife was recovering from childbirth and caring for two little boys, he left London for Western Australia on the 9th of April 1849 by the 'Henrietta', a small vessel of 105 tons. An accident on this voyage gained him some prominence. The Captain, knowing he was dying, entrusted the care of the boat to him and the mate whose knowledge of navigation was of a superficial nature. They managed to make port on Mauritius and there secured the services of a skipper. Arrived in Western Australia on Sunday, 19 August 1849; his son, Joseph John, died in London on the 25th of the same month.
Soon after his arrival, he tramped to York and there entered the services of Monger & Co in a clerical capacity. Returning to Perth after the lapse of several years, he joined in partnership with Mr. T. Hopgood, a son of his former London master, in business as Goldsmith and Jewellers, their establishment being situated at the corner of St.George's Terrace and William Street.
During his first years in the colony, he became sufficiently known and respected for Thomas Jecks (1814-1856) to appoint him as one of the three executors to his will dated 17 November 1853. Thomas Jecks died on 24 January 1856 and, on 11 February 1856, Frederic Glaskin appeared with Abraham Jones as executors in Court to be sworn in according to the usual formalities of the time and where probate was granted.
His wife together with their remaining son, Frederic Litchfield, sailed from London in April 1852 on the 'Eglinton', a 464-ton barque, which, on arrival on Friday the 3rd of September, was wrecked about 20 miles north of Fremantle. Safely re-joined with her husband, a further nine children were born between 1853 and 1866 in their house which was later to become the Bible House still extant today. Later on they moved to Parker Street in Perth.
When a soap famine, as it might be termed, occurred, he set up a small business together with Mr. Hopgood, as manufacturers of that commodity with, at the outset, a rather primitive plant. However, they subsequently procured more suitable appliances from England and founded a business which they carried conjointly for many years.
In 1866 he sent a box of soap to the Melbourne Exhibition for which he received a bronze medal, today in possession of Dixie Glaskin. Another box went to the Paris Exhibition (for which the Eiffel Tower was built) and this time, it has been reported by one of his descendants, he received a gold medal.
Frederic Glaskin eventually took sole control over the business and carried it on until about four years before his death. The site of the soap-factury was also in St. George's Terrace, next to Perth Boys' School, (where the offices of Messrs. A. P. Matheson & Co were later to stand and were there at the time of his death) with his home, the aforesaid Bible House, on the other side to the West.
According to C. T. Stannage in 'The People of Perth': This company (Perth Gas Company) was formed in 1883 and succeeded, or rather took over, the City of Perth Gas Company which had lasted shakily for a year or so. Among the shareholders were George Shenton, Lee Steere, H. C. Prinsep, the Stones and Edward Scott, as well as some of the prominent storekeepers and tradesman like Mr. Liddelow, Frederic Glaskin and Mr. Elsegood, who also had been or were Perth City Councillors.
Another business to which he devoted his attention was that of auctioneering, and for some years he was a partner of the late Mr. Thomas Smith in that particular line. For a period of over twenty years he was also collector in Perth and Fremantle for the 'Inquirer and Commercial News', then owned by the late Messrs. R. T. Sholl and Edmund Stirling.
For some years he was also Clerk to the Perth Town Trust, now merged into the City Council, of which the late Mr. George Shenton, father of Sir George Shenton, President of the Legislative Council, was then Chairman. Though he took a deep interest in public affairs, he was never in prominence, declining every occasion to seek honours, either municipal or political.
In religious affairs he took a leading part, and was one of the earliest members of the Congregational Church. He was ordained with Mr. George Randell, M.L.C., the Colonial Secretary, and the late Mr. Edward Birch, as Deacon in 1862, by the Rev. J. M. Innes, the then pastor. At that time the place of meeting was in William Street. He served during pastorates of the Rev. J. M. Innes and the Rev. Meadowcroft, resigning his deaconship in 1875. He was one of the oldest trustees connected with Trinity Congregation Church, and gave his service as a lay preacher for some years.
Frederic Glaskin also took an active part in the establishment of the volunteer forces, and was a non-commissioned officer for a considerable time.
He passed peacefully away on Monday, 20 February 1899, at his residence in Parker Street. Though 78 years of age, he was strong and hearty up to the time of his death which took place at about 5.35 a.m.. On the previous day he absented himself from church because of the heat, to retire somewhat earlier than usual, complaining of feeling indisposed. He partook of some fruit and, having refused the the services of a physician, his family occasionally attended him during the night. At two o'clock he appeared to be sleeping peacefully, and again at 4 o'clock. Less than two hours later one of his daughters, seeking to awaken him, discovered that he had breathed his last, though from his appearance he was still thought to be peacefully sleeping.
His death was attributed to senile decay. He left his widow, who was still hale and strong though only twelve months younger. Eight of their children were still alive; three of them, two sons and a daughter, remained unmarried.
His remains, which were enclosed in a massive jarrah casket, were conveyed to the Congregational portion of the Perth Cemetery, where the Rev. W. T. Kench conducted the funeral service. The chief mourners were Messrs. Frederic, John J., William J., and Henry M. Glaskin (sons) and five of his grandsons. The pallbearers were Mr. George Randell, M.L.C., and Messrs. H. Strickland, senior, W. H. Strickland, senior; H. G. Stirling, H. S. Trigg, and J. D. Manning. Amongst many that followed the cortege were Messrs. T. G. Molloy, E. Randell, W. Moore senior, W. Moore junior, and T. Peet. A number of wreaths covered the coffin sent by sympathising friends and relatives. The funeral arrangements were carried out under the personal supervision of Mr. Donald J. Chipper.
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