Robert Mace Habgood (1814 – 29 March 1876[1]) was a merchant trader in Western Australia's colonial era. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, pastoralist, significant shareholder in the Western Australian Bank, and proprietor of the Geraldine Mine.[2]
Habgood was born in 1814,[2] the son of Thomas Habgood of Newdegate Street, London. He had brothers William, Thomas and John Habgood , who were original signatories to the West Australian Land and Immigration Committee in 1828. William was the first of the Habgood brothers to travel to the new colony in 1830, with Robert settling a year later, at age 17. William died young from consumption, and Robert inherited his fortune.[3]
Shortly after arriving, Habgood commenced business as an importer, and became one of Western Australia's leading merchants. He was an active member of the first Chamber of Commerce established in the colony, and was also one of the principal proprietors of the Western Australian Bank. Habgood was a successful mining speculator,[1] and co-founder of The Western Australian Mining Company, the first mining company in the colony.[4]
Habgood retired c. 1861 and moved to England. Having invested significantly in shipping, he established a trade route between Western Australia and London, through which he yearly exported hundred tons of ore from Geraldine Mine.[1] He owned the vessels Chalgrove and Zephyr, and was owner or part owner of a third, Hawk, which was wrecked in Fremantle Harbour.[5] Habgood also traded wool, lead, sandalwood and horses.[2]
Habgood died at his residence in Lynton, England, on 29 March 1876, aged 63.[1][6]
Habgood was recognised as one of the most influential Western Australian businesspeople in The West Australian's 2013 list of the 100 most influential.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "THE LATE MR. HABGOOD". The Inquirer and Commercial News. Western Australia. 7 June 1876. p. 3. Retrieved 6 February 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ a b c d Harvey, Ben; Hatch, Daniel (29 November 2013). 100 most influential: The business leaders who shaped WA – 1829-2013 (PDF). The West Australian. p. 43. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2020.
- ^ Erickson, Dorothy (2011). "William Bowles Habgood". Design and Art Australia. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ "W.A.'s First Mining Company". With the Man in the street. The Daily News (Late City ed.). Western Australia. 23 February 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "YESTERDAY—and the DAY BEFORE". Western Mail. Western Australia. 18 April 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 6 February 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "DEATH OF MR. HABGOOD". The Herald. Western Australia. 10 June 1876. p. 3. Retrieved 6 February 2020 – via Trove.