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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Edward Isaacs

Mr. Edward Isaacs was an Old Colo-nist who took a prominent part in promoting the progress of Auckland. He was born in London in 1820, and left England for Tasmania during Sir John Franklin's Governorship of that Colony, where Mr. Isaacs was employed by a firm engaged in the whaling trade and the sandalwood traffic in the Islands. In 1844 he started on his own account in connection with a partner, and went to London, leaving his partner to manage the Colonial branch of the business. He returned to Tasmania, via Melbourne, in 1853. During his stay in London, he sent out his two younger brothers, George and Henry, to Auckland. These two young men started in business as wholesale merchants, and of this business Mr. E. Isaacs was for many years the senior partner. When trade was flourishing on the Victorian gold-fields, Mr. Isaacs, with his brother Henry, established a business in Melbourne. While in that city he identified himself with public, social, and charitable institutions, and on leaving for Auckland, in 1860, he was presented by various bodies with substantial tokens of their regard, in recognition of his labours in connection with them. Besides being a member of the Auckland City Council, in which he sat from 1875 to 1879, Mr. Isaacs was for many years a member of the Auckland Harbour Board, and generally took an active interest in local affairs. He was one of the promoters, in connection with his brother Henry, and a few other merchants, of the Auckland Shipping Company, which ultimately merged into the New Zealand Shipping Company. Mr. Isaacs was widely respected and had a large circle of friends. He died at his residence in Official Bay, on the 20th of August, 1891, leaving a widow, six daughters, and two sons to mourn their loss. His eldest daughter was married to the late Sir Saul Samuel, Bart., Agent-General for New South Wales, and two others are married to Drs C. H. Haines and Humphrey Haines. Of his two sons, Mr. [gap — reason: illegible]. E. Isaacs is dead, and Mr. R. E. Isaacs, who is widely known in business circles in Auckland, carries on business in Shortland Street as an auditor and accountant.

Hanna, photo.The Late Mr. E. Isaacs.

Hanna, photo.The Late Mr. E. Isaacs.