John Maynard Hedstrom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Maynard Hedstrom
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| Member of the Legislative Council | |
| In office 1908–1914 |
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| Preceded by | David Robbie |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Constituency | Levuka |
| In office 1914–1937 |
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| Preceded by | Seat created |
| Succeeded by | Harold Brockett Gibson |
| Constituency | Eastern (European) |
| Nominated Member of the Legislative Council | |
| In office 1937 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 February 1872 Levuka, Fiji |
| Died | 2 June 1951 (aged 79) Tamavua, Fiji |
Sir John Maynard Hedstrom (born 22 February 1872 – died 2 June 1951) was a very important businessman and politician in Fiji. He was a member of the Legislative Council for over 30 years. This council was like Fiji's parliament. He was one of four powerful men who greatly influenced Fiji's economy and politics in the early 1900s.
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About John Maynard Hedstrom
His Early Life and Education
John Maynard Hedstrom was born in Levuka, Fiji, on 22 February 1872. His father, N.S. Hedstrom, was a Swedish shipmaster. He worked as a harbour master.
Maynard went to school in Fiji at Suva Public School. Later, he studied in Australia at Wesley College. He then graduated from the University of Melbourne.
Starting His Business Career
After finishing his studies, Maynard came back to Fiji. He first worked at the post office in Suva. Soon after, he started a career in business. He joined the Union Steamship Company. He became the manager of their branch in Levuka.
Later, he became a partner in a company called Brown & Joske. He was also involved in several other businesses. In 1898, he started his own company with Percy Morris. They named it Morris Hedstrom. This company grew to be the biggest retail business in Fiji. Maynard also led the Chamber of Commerce for 23 years, starting in 1924.
His Time in Politics
Maynard Hedstrom began his political journey in the early 1900s. He served as the mayor of Levuka in 1905 and 1906.
In 1908, he was elected to the Legislative Council. He represented the Levuka area. He won against David Robbie, who held the seat before him. He won again in 1911, once more defeating Robbie.
Before the 1914 elections, the Levuka area was changed and renamed Eastern. Maynard Hedstrom won this seat without anyone running against him. He kept this seat until the 1937 elections. During this time, he often won elections without any opponents. He became a member of the Executive Council in 1917. This council was like a government cabinet.
He faced opponents only in 1923 and 1926. He won easily both times. He did not run for a seat in the 1937 elections. He also left the Executive Council then. However, he was chosen as one of two nominated members for the Legislative Council. But he resigned in December 1937 after a disagreement with the Governor.
Awards and Recognition
In 1922, Maynard Hedstrom became the first person living in Fiji to be knighted. Being knighted means he was given the title "Sir" by the King.
In 1939, the King of Sweden gave him an award called the Order of the Polar Star. This was because he served as Sweden's honorary Vice-Consul in Suva. In 1936, an American scientist named Albert Charles Smith named a type of flowering plant from Fiji Hedstromia after him.
His Family Life
Maynard Hedstrom married Grace Eastgate in 1895. They had five children together. Grace passed away on 2 May 1931. Later, Maynard Hedstrom married Joyce Beauchamp in the 1930s. He died at his home in the Tamavua area of Suva on 2 June 1951. He was 79 years old.
