Obituaries Australia

Born in 1833, Mr. Henty's career was practically synchronous with the settlement of Victoria. A colony was founded at Portland by his grandfather, Mr. Thomas Henty, and seven sons. First they intended to plant a settlement at Swan River in 1829, but not being enamoured of the grant of land given to them, gave up the idea. The Portland venture had better results. The Hentys were the first squatters, starting operations in 1834, and later opening up the rich grazing districts on the Wannon and Glenelg. The late Mr. Henry Henty obtained his early education in Launceston, where he was born, but later on went to England and completed his course at King's College. Returning to Australia, he joined the firm of James Henty and Co., merchants, in Melbourne, and remained continuously connected with them for over sixty years, his death occurring last month. He was held in the highest esteem in business circles, being chairman of the board of directors of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited for a number of years. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Grenville in 1866, but payment of members having been decided on by this Parliament, he refused to submit himself for re-election after the dissolution. The late Mr. Henty succeeded the late Sir James Palmer as chairman of the Educational Board.

In 1859 he married Miss Marion Anne McKellar, eldest daughter of the late W. G. McKellar, formerly of Geelong. The family consisted of five sons and four daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters survive.