George Benjamin DODWELL [1851-1925]
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Merchant and Trading agent. In 1872 he joined the export/import business Adamson, Bell and Company in Shanghai. The company dealt in shipping, silk and tea. In 1875 it opened an office in Hong Kong and also started in insurance. By 1884 the company had eight insurance agencies in Hong Kong. Dodwell was a pioneer of the Pacific steamship service and helped establish The Northern Pacific Steamship Company in 1887. When Adamson retired in 1886 Dodwell took over the running of the business and the company closed in 1891 and he went into partnership with Mr A. Carlill (with its head office in London), establishing Dodwell, Carlill & Co., exporting tea, porcelain, silk and other produce from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Yokohama and Kobe, and importing flour and lumber from Tacoma, Washington on the US Pacific coast. In 1899 the business was renamed Dodwell and Co. By its articles Dodwell was elected Chairman for life. The same year he retired from the East and returned to London. There George Benjamin Dodwell not just oversaw the further development of Dodwell & Co. but diversified his business activities and was chairman of the Malacca Rubber Plantation Company.
Dodwell and his wife Julia had two sons and four daughters. The family lived in ‘La Hacienda’ on Mount Kellett and he sang for many years in the choir at St. John's Cathedral.
A brief biography from The Industrial History of Hong Kong Group
Comments
“OBITUARY.
“OBITUARY.
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LATE MR. G.B. DODWELL.
It is with extreme regret that we have to record the death of Mr. George Benjamin Dodwell, Chairman of Messrs. Dodwell and Co., Limited.
Mr. Dodwell commenced his Eastern career in 1872, when he came to China as a junior in the firm of Adamson, Bell and Co. When this firm went out of business in 1891, he and other members of the staff established the firms of Dodwell, Carlill and Co., which, at the end of 1898, was turned into a limited liability company under the present name of Dodwell and co., Ltd., with branches throughout China, Japan, America, Colombo, London and the Continent. Mr. Dodwell left the Far East in 1898 and maintained an active interest in the business of the firm until his death.
For some months past, Mr. Dodwell had been very ill and underwent a serious operation in June, from which it was hoped that he would recover. He was making very satisfactory progress, but advices have been received of his sudden death from a heart attack on Friday morning, the 9th inst., at the age of 74 years. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, the 14th instant.
Mr. Dodwell leaves four daughters and two sons, both of whom ae in the business – Mr. G.M. Dodwell, who was recently Director and Manager in Hongkong being now in London, and Mr. L.G.S. Dodwell, at present in Hongkong.”
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 7, 13th October 1925
“OBITUARY.
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Mr. G.B. DODWELL.
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The death of Mr. G.B. Dodwell, the founder and until recently managing-director of Messrs. Dodwell & Co., Ltd., is reported from London. He died on October 9th at the age of 74 years.
Some months ago Mr, Dodwell underwent a very serious operation, but was reported to be progressing very favourably, and the end, it is believed came suddenly.
Mr. Dodwell will be remembered by only a few of the older residents in the Colony. He first came out to join Adamson Bell & Co. and when that firm was dissolved he started in business in partnership with Mr. Carlill, trading for some years as Dodwell & Carlill. Subsequently the name was changed to Dodwell & Co. and since then the business has developed enormously and now has branches throughout China, in Colombo, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Vancouver, Victoria (B.C.), Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Savannah, and Antwerp.
Mr. Dodwell left the East rather more than twenty years ago, but had since conducted the affairs of the Company from London. He held the position of managing-director of the Company until a few months ago when he resigned. The position was taken by Mr. S. Dodwell, his nephew, who was manager in Hongkong until a years since. Mr. S. Dodwell was succeeded in Hongkong by Mr. G.M. Dodwell, Mr. G.B. Dodwell’s son. There is another son, Mr. Gordon Dodwell, who is still with the firm here.”
Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 5, 13th October 1925
“DEATHS.
DODWELL. – At Home, suddenly, on October 9th, 1925, GEORGE BENJAMIN DODWELL, Chairman of Dodwell & Co., Ltd., in his 74th year.”
Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 6, 13th October 1925
“OBITUARY.
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MR. G.B. DODWELL.
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The death is reported from London of Mr. G.B. Dodwell, founder and until recently managing director of Messrs. Dodwell and Co, Ltd. He will only be remembered by a few of the oldest residents as it is twenty-seven years since he left the East to conduct the affairs of the Company from Home.
The late Mr. G.B. Dodwell first came out to join Adamson Bell and Co. and when that firm was first dissolved he started in business in partnership with MR. Carlill, trading for some years as Dodwell and Carlill. Subsequently the name was changed to Dodwell & Co., and since then the business has developed enormously and now has branches throughout China, in Colombo, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Vancouver, Victoria (B.C.), Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Savannah, and Antwerp.
The news of Mr. Dodwell’s death was somewhat unexpected for although he had undergone an operation a few months ago it was understood that he was progressing favourably. Death took place at the age of 74 years on Oct. 9.
Mr. Dodwell leaves four daughters and two sons, both of whom are in the business. Mr. G.M. Dodwell who was recently Director and Manager in Hongkong being now in London and Mr. L.G.S. Dodwell at present in Hongkong.”
Source: The China Mail, page 6, 13th October 1925