Cornthwaite John Hector

Cornthwaite John Hector was born May 6, 1835 in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). (However, his application to start a post office lists his birthplace as Liverpool, England.) He was the son of Cornthwaite Hector and Elizabeth Budd.[1] Cornthwaite and Elizabeth had emigrated to the British penal colony, Van Diemen's Land, the southernmost of the Australian colonies, where they had been given a grant of land by the British government.[1] They had arrived on the ship Lang in December 1828.[1]

At ten years of age, Hector was present at the Battle of Kororareka in New Zealand.[1] He became notable for his "gallant conduct" at that battle for "bringing up ammunition from the stockade during the heaviest fire", according to a newspaper report of the time.[1]

Hector, along with his brother, George Nelson Hector, worked for Bishop George Augustus Selwyn, (the first bishop of New Zealand) on board various vessels he used to travel among the islands of the Pacific.[1]

The Maori Wars prompted many English people to leave New Zealand and the Hector family, with the exception of George Nelson Hector, moved to Australia. By 1850, Hector's mother had died.[1]

Hector came to America in or before 1878. At the time, Melbourne was known as Crane Creek. Hector became the first postmaster and operated a general store.[2]

He was influential in the naming of the city of Melbourne, although there are several versions of the story.[1][2] Mrs. R.W. Goode is credited with suggesting the name to honor Hector,[2] although he is said to have favored a different name.[2] Straws representing various names were drawn by Grace Goode, and the "Melbourne" straw was the one drawn.[2]

Hector was confirmed at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on April 21, 1887, at the age of 51.[1] He married Ida M. Gard on October 10, 1895, at Holy Trinity United.[1]

Hector died at Crescent City, Florida, on January 6, 1898,[1] and was buried at the Melbourne Cemetery.[1]

• Richard W. Goode