Thread: Family heirloom

It never ceases to amaze me at the skills of the old time woodworkers and their use of handtools compared with modern day woodworking machines.

Did a bit of research to find something about the maker. Apparently he was a well-known builder in FNQ. Wonder if he still has descendants in the area.

The Cairns Post, Friday 09 August 1946, page 6:
Obituary. Mr. H. A. Nielsen.
The death occurred recently in the Mossman Hospital of Mr. H. A Nielsen, of Port Douglas, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the Far North.
Coming from his native land (Denmark) as a young man, he chose Cooktown for his first place of abode, and later settled in Port Douglas where for many years he watched with interest its rise and fall.
The late Mr. Nielsen was at one time a Government builder and contractor and many of the old buildings in the district were erected by him and his men. Of late years, Mr. Nielsen gave all his attention to his original trade—cabinet making—which he followed in his young days in Denmark, France and Germany, a trade which he inherited from his forefathers, who were also great craftsmen.
His work shop in Port Douglas was a well-known place of interest and for many years was the mecca of all tourists and visitors, including State Governors who came to see this great craftsman at work. He was the original maker of the inlaid jewel cases in book form, which were greatly admired and for which orders came from all parts of the world.
If it were desired to make a presentation for a deserving cause or to a prominent citizen a specimen of his work was invariably chosen.
The late Mr. Nielsen always willingly gave the free use of his workshop for the various associations to hold their meetings in and it was in this workshop that the Port Douglas branch of the C.WA. held their meetings for several years.
Though the late Mr. Nielsen had passed the age regarded as man’s allotted span he kept his grip on life and interest in his work and was busy in his workshop up to a few days before the call came. His many friends will miss this grand old gentleman with his amiable smile and good-humoured anecdotes of which he possessed a wonderful fund, having a keen sense of humour coupled with a good memory, he was an interesting personality and his friends were many.

Thank you for sharing, gives me something to aspire to.

I wonder how far past man's allotted span he lived, before the call came?

They don't seem to write an obituary like that these days.

Mick.

Alex, be careful when you use big words like heirloom. It might offend some people. Nice Box.