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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".
Contents
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.
Around 1879 he moved to Adelaide to take a position with J. A. Holden, who on 1 May 1884 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, 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: