Henry Land (c.1872-1958)

Henry Land was a engineer and fruiterer, who performed locally as ventriloquist "Professor Land".

Biography

He was born in Huddersfield, the son of musician Joseph Land and his wife Jane.

He married piecener Jane Crossley, daughter of spinner James Crossley of Damside, on Christmas Day 1896 at All Hallows, Almondbury. The couple had four known children:

  • Joseph Land (1897-1976)[1]
  • Wilfred Land (1903-1961)[2]
  • Phyllis Land (1906-1993)[3]
  • Amy Land (1907-?)[4]

By 1899, he was performing as ventriloquist "Professor Land", and gave his occupation as "professional ventriloquist" on the 1901 Census by which time he was residing at 17 Moss Street, Moldgreen.

At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a fruit salesman and residing with his family at 3 Riley Street, Damside.

Jane Land died aged 65 in 1936.

The 1939 Register recorded him as a retired motor frame builder of 31 Orchard Terrace, Primrose Terrace.

Henry Land of 72 Birkhouse Lane, Moldgreen, died on 13 January 1958.

Performances as Professor Land

The following list was complied from local newspaper reports.

1899
1900
  • Deighton Infirmary Demonstration[10]
  • South Crosland Church Sale of Work[11]
1914
1915
1916
  • Band of Hope Union Demonstration at Greenhead Park[21]
  • Greenhead Park, as part of Sailors' Day[22]
  • Almondbury Fete[23]
1917
  • Fartown and Birkby Liberal Club[24]
1918
  • as part of the Tank Week fundraising activities[25]
  • hospital concert in Ward D at the Royds Hall War Hospital[26]
  • gala in aid of Birchencliffe Soldiers' and Sailors' Comforts Fund[27]
1926
  • annual children's party in connection with the Old Comrades' Association of the 5th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment at Huddersfield Drill Hall[28]

Notes and References

  1. Born 30 Dec 1897. Married Nellie Norah Barrett on 17 July 1920 at St. Stephen's Church, Rashcliffe.
  2. Born 3 November 1903. Worked as an engine fitter (1939 Register).
  3. Born 29 May 1906. Married Jack Earnshaw in 1931. Died 10 Apr 1993.
  4. Married Harold Taylor in 1929.
  5. Huddersfield Chronicle (07/Jan/1899).
  6. Huddersfield Chronicle (04/Jul/1899).
  7. Huddersfield Chronicle (07/Jul/1899).
  8. Huddersfield Chronicle (31/Jul/1899).
  9. Huddersfield Chronicle (07/Aug/1899).
  10. Huddersfield Chronicle (30/Jul/1900).
  11. Huddersfield Chronicle (29/Oct/1900).
  12. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (22/Jan/1914).
  13. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (25/Feb/1914).
  14. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (16/Jul/1914).
  15. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (26/Nov/1914).
  16. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (31/Dec/1914).
  17. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (26/May/1915).
  18. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (28/Jun/1915).
  19. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (05/Jul/1915).
  20. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (16/Sep/1915).
  21. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (19/Jun/1916).
  22. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (31/Jul/1916).
  23. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (28/Aug/1916).
  24. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (18/Jul/1917).
  25. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (22/Feb/1918).
  26. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (19/Apr/1918).
  27. Huddersfield Daily Examiner (15/Jul/1918).
  28. Leeds Mercury (11/Jan/1926).