WATHEN Francis William
| Name | Francis William WATHEN |
| Country Of Origin | Australia |
| Born | 1870 |
| Died | 1941 |
| Birth/ Baptism | Born 20 March 1870, Launceston Bapt. 10 April 1872, St John’s, Launceston |
| Parents | William Fowler and Emma Wathen (formerly Withey) |
| Apprenticeship | Possibly with John Piper, Charles Street, Launceston |
| Skills | Watchmaker, Jeweller |
| Work Locations | Launceston, Waratah, Zeehan, Devonport |
| Street Address |
202 Main Street, Zeehan 77 Brisbane Street, Launceston |
| Marriage/Spouse | 23 November 1898, St John’s New Town, Hobart, to widow Ada Mary Victoria Kempling (formerly Harrex). |
| Other | Nephew of watchmaker Thomas Henry Wathen. Brother of watchmaker Harry Withey Wathen. Stepson Harry Kempling possibly learned the trade with Francis. Pre 1893: Employer, J E Piper’s Launceston. September 1898: Francis purchased Samuel Armstrong’s watchmaking, jewellery, and tobacconist business in Main Street, Zeehan (opposite the General Post Office). 1899 and 1901: Listed in the Tasmania Post Office Directory at Waratah. September 1903: Advised the public he had employed his brother Harry Wathen, a watchmaker, former employee of F & W Stewart, and Frederick Vaughan. 5 August 1919: Closed business in Zeehan. 1919–approx. early 1930s: Recorded as a watchmaker in Devonport. Approx. mid-1930s: Watchmaker at 77 Brisbane Street, Launceston, his stepson Harry Kempling’s watchmaking and jewellery business, Kempling’s The Practical Watchmakers. |
| Death | 31 January 1941, Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria |
| References | |
| TAHO: RGD32/1/4 no6343 Birth 1870; RGD37/1/59 no257 Marriage 1898. Web: Ancestry: Australia City Directories, Tasmania Post Office (Wise) 1917-1933, Australia Electoral Rolls 1919, 1922, 1928, 1936, 1937. Daily Telegraph 7 January 1893; Zeehan & Dundas Herald 7 September 1898, 24 December 1900, 8 September 1903, 24 December 1913, 5 August 1919; The Examiner (Launceston) 10 December 1934, 3 February 1941. |
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