Joseph Outerbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Outerbridge
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | January 7, 1843 Pembroke Parish, Bermuda
|
| Died | October 11, 1933 (aged 90) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) |
Maria Harvey Tucker
(m. 1881) |
| Children | 6 |
Sir Joseph Outerbridge (born January 7, 1843 – died October 11, 1933) was an important businessman. He was also a kind person who helped others. He came from Bermuda and worked in Newfoundland.
Contents
Early Life in Bermuda and Philadelphia
Joseph Outerbridge was born in Pembroke, Bermuda. This happened on January 7, 1843. His parents were Alexander Ewing Outerbridge and Laura Catherine Harvey.
The Outerbridge family was well-known in Bermuda. They lived in a place called Bailey's Bay. Joseph's father, Alexander, was a merchant who shipped goods. In 1844, his family moved to Philadelphia.
Joseph had many brothers and sisters. Some of them stayed in Pennsylvania. Others, like Augustus, Eugenius, and Adolphus, became merchants in New York. His brother, Eugenius Harvey Outerbridge, later became the first leader of the Port of New York Authority.
A Career in Newfoundland
After finishing school in Philadelphia, Joseph Outerbridge moved. He went to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1862. He was only 19 years old. He started working with his uncle at Harvey & Company Ltd. This was Newfoundland's oldest company, started in 1767.
Joseph became a top leader at the company. He also spent a lot of time helping others. He was a good friend to Dr. Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell. Joseph worked to make life better for the fishermen in Labrador.
Helping Newfoundland Grow
Joseph Outerbridge helped Newfoundland in many ways. In 1879, he talked with the Canadian government. He represented Newfoundland's businesses and government. They discussed trade rules.
After a huge fire in St. John's in 1892, Joseph helped lead the Fire Relief Fund. He was thanked by the British Government for his hard work. He also led the Church Lads' Brigade from 1890 to 1894. This group helped young men.
In 1901, he helped welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. They were visiting Newfoundland. Joseph also helped raise money for the 1911 Festival of Empire. He was Newfoundland's representative at this big event in London. He set up a special building for Newfoundland at Crystal Palace.
Becoming a Knight
Because of all his important work, King George V honored Joseph. On June 2, 1913, he was made a Knight Bachelor. This meant he could be called "Sir Joseph."
During the First World War, Sir Joseph continued to serve. He was a Vice President of the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland. This group helped create and support the Newfoundland Regiment. This regiment was formed from the Church Lads' Brigade.
Sir Joseph's Family Life
Sir Joseph Outerbridge married Maria Harvey Tucker on November 7, 1881. Maria was from Halifax and also came from an important family. They had five sons and one daughter.
Children and Their Achievements
Their children also did great things:
- Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Leonard Cecil Outerbridge was a soldier. He fought in the war and later became a director at Harvey & Co. Ltd. He was also the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland from 1949 to 1957.
- Lieutenant Norman Outerbridge served in the war. Sadly, he was killed in 1917.
- Captain Herbert Outerbridge also fought in the war and survived. He became a director at Harvey & Co., Ltd.
- Edmund Outerbridge became a managing director at another company.
- Basil Outerbridge worked for a power company in Montreal.
- Lilian Outerbridge married Captain J.D. Campbell, a Royal Navy officer.
Later Years and Legacy
Sir Joseph Outerbridge kept working at Harvey & Co., Ltd., even when he was 89 years old. When he was 90, he had an operation in Philadelphia. He was too old and weak to recover. He passed away in Philadelphia on October 11, 1933.
The Outerbridge family later honored Sir Joseph. In 1952, they donated a special window to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John's. This window is called the Te Deum Window and remembers his life.
