H. A. Frost

Henry Adolph Frost (1844 – 21 July 1909) was a German-born saddler and businessman known for his association with the company which eventually produced the Holden automobile. His name may have been originally Heinrich Friedrich Adolphe Frost, but he evidently preferred "Adolph Frost".^[1]

History

Adolph was born in Hamburg, Germany the only son of John Frost ( – c. January 1865) and his wife Auguste Louise Frost (March 1821 – 11 February 1905), who emigrated to South Australia on the Steinwaerder (Steinwärder) from Hamburg, arriving in January 1849.

They settled at Lyndoch, and on completion of his schooling learned the skills of the saddler, after which he followed his trade at Rhynie, then around 1869 to Port Wakefield then Yorketown, where he ran a lucrative business, and for a time served as mayor.^[2]

Holden & Frost, 100 Grenfell Street c. 1915

Around 1879 he moved to Adelaide to take a position with J. A. Holden, who on 1 May 1884^[3] took him on as partner in J. A. Holden & Co., which was in a precarious position financially. In August 1885 J. A. Holden sold to his son H. J. Holden and H. A. Frost his interest in the retail arm of the company,^[4] which in November 1885 became Holden & Frost. He sold the wholesale business and his Kensington Park mansion with its extensive grounds. Under the terms of the voluntary liquidation the company continued to operate in the premises at 100 Grenfell Street.

Under the new management the company progressed from the world of saddles and harness to motor vehicle bodies and upholstery.

Family

John Frost ( – c. January 1865) and his wife Auguste Louise Frost (March 1821 – 11 February 1905) emigrated on the Steinwaerder (Steinwärder) from Hamburg, arriving in SA in January 1849. They had one son and three daughters:

• Henry Adolph Frost (1844 – 21 July 1909) married (1) Elizabeth James (c. 1848 – 10 April 1892) (2) Celia Gray? Grey? (13 August 1861 – 22 April 1912) on 24 May 1893. They had three daughters and five or six sons:

• Amie? Amy? Frost (26 May 1867 – ) married Edward Welbourn ( – ) on 18 April 1888, lived in Western Australia
• Fannie? Fanney? Frost (10 May 1869 in Port Wakefield – ) married Walter Ernest Aitken ( – ) on 28 March 1889, lived in Hyde Park
• Gertrude Frost (13 December 1873 – ) married (Reuben) Clifton Underwood ( – ) on 8 August 1898, lived at Norwood
• Herbert Adolph Frost (13 February 1878 – 8 September 1910) killed accidentally in Fremantle
• Harold Clare Frost (6 November 1881 at Yorketown – 23 April 1906)
• Gilbert James (James Gilbert?) Frost (10 February 1884 – ) married Maria Bennett "Polly" Jacobs ( – ) on 25 September 1907
• Raymond Gray? Grey? Frost (20 May 1894 – 6? 7? April 1966) married Lynda Dorothy Atkinson ( – ) on 20 July 1922
• Stuart Clifton Frost (22 April 1896 – 11 May 1966)
• Louis Henry Frost (13 May 1900 – )

• Louisa Henrietta Caroline Maria Frost (c. 1845 – 25 January 1876) married Robert Swann ( – ) on 1 February 1866
• Caroline Sophia Wilhelmina Frost (c. 1848 – 10 January 1927) married George Wise (1840 – 18 May 1904) on 23 May 1872, lived at Gawler then Norwood.
• Mary Ann Frost ( – 29 August 1901) married Hart

References

1. "Rhynie". South Australian Register XXX, (6033) (South Australia). 5 March 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 27 February 2016 – via National Library of Australia. He is early referred to as "A. Frost", and later frequently as "H. Adolph Frost"
2. "Death of Mr. H. A. Frost". The Chronicle LII, (2,657) (South Australia). 24 July 1909. p. 40. Retrieved 27 February 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Advertising". South Australian Register. XXXIX, (8590) (South Australia). 28 May 1874. p. 1. Retrieved 27 February 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Advertising". South Australian Register L, (12,092) (South Australia). 15 August 1885. p. 1. Retrieved 28 February 2016 – via National Library of Australia.