Henry was born at Handsworth, Birmingham, England in 1858 and at the age of 22 he was described in the 1881 Census as a tobacconist living at St Marylebone, London. In 1891 he was back home with his family at Shifnal, Salop and employed as a commission agent. By 1901 he was a wine agent living at Great Alne Lodge, near Alcester, Warwickshire where Amy Harrison (Swinton Harrison's mother) served as a housekeeper.
Henry emigrated to Canada in 1908 (just a year after Amy Harrison married William Edgerton) and in 1911 he was living at Fernie, British Columbia where he lodged with John and Maria Lawson. The Lawsons ran the Wardner Hotel from 1913 to 1946 and it is believed that Henry lived there with them. The 1911 Canadian Census shows Henry as the Census Enumerator. He described his occupation then as a watchman on the Morrisey, Fernie and Michel Railway. Henry was named as a beneficiary in his mother's will dated 7 September 1914.
Henry also resided at Morrisey for a time before settling in Wardner where he was the postmaster from 4 November 1914 to 2 May 1917. After that he held a contract as mail carrier. He was appointed as a magistrate and it was stated in his obituary that he was fair and impartial in judgements brought before him in police court cases. Overall, he was considered a most highly esteemed and respected citizen of Wardner and Fernie. He died on 1 August 1930, aged 72, and was buried at the Old General Cemetery at Cranbrook.
We would welcome any further information about Henry Swinton Jackson as we are of the opinion that he has close relations with our family. We are also seeking to find a photograph of him as he was well known in the Cranbrook area in his capacities as postmaster and magistrate.
Much of the research in Canada has been done by the "Cranbrook Genealogy Interest Group". We are most grateful for all their work. Cranbrook G.I.G.