Town Hall builder’s last descendant dies
The last direct descendant of Krugersdorp Town Hall's builder, Harry Holton, has recently died and with his departure a family member added a bit of insight to the history of Krugersdorp.
Jack Holton, the youngest son of Harry Holton who built the Krugersdorp Town Hall in 1907, died on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal last month. He was 94.
Jack is survived by two adopted sons and his second wife, Severeen.
Eight of Harry’s eleven grandchildren are still alive. Two of them, including Terence Cotton and his sister Valerie Liversage, still live in Krugersdorp.
His passing inspired some of his family members to trace the origins of the town hall and remember a some of the town’s history.
Terence, 78, Harry’s grandson who also called Jack uncle, spoke to the News about his grandfather and the contribution he made to the face of Krugersdorp. Terence said he was sad to learn that the last direct descendant of his grandfather had passed on and it had him reflecting on time and history, especially that of Krugersdorp.
“Krugersdorp has quite an interesting history,” he said.
“I believe it’s the only mining town on the Witwatersrand gold reef that feels like a countryside town not burdened with the look of a mining town.”
In 2007 it was the 100 year anniversary of the Town Hall. Terence said that shortly thereafter, he visited the foundation stone on which his grandfather was honoured.
“But unfortunately the lettering had been stolen after it had survived for more than 100 years,” he said.
In revisiting the history of his family and the impact they had on the town, Terence said he still thinks Krugersdorp has a unique character that remains unchanged “even though it has lost some of its charm.”
A quick history of the Town Hall builder, according to his grandson Terence:
Harry Holton emigrated from England to South Africa in about 1895 and settled in Krugersdorp where he set up a building business. At the start of the Anglo Boer War in 1899 he fled Krugersdorp, allegedly on a bicycle, for Durban to return to England when Boer commandos commandeered his wagons and horses. He returned to South Africa with his two brothers at the end of the war. He and his elder brother married two sisters they met on a boat on the way back. He again set up a building business in Krugersdorp.
Harry built most of the public buildings in Krugersdorp, most of which are still standing today.
His elder son, Frank, took over his business and built the west wing of the Town Hall in 1960.
And did you know that according to Terence, his father, Jack Cotton, once was Krugersdorp’s Chief Health Inspector? The Jack Cotton residence for the aged in Burgershoop is named after him.
If you would like to contact Terence about his account of the Town Hall builder’s history, call 083 299 4017 or email him at terry@landyonline.co.za.
Also read:
• Councillor thanks municipality for improving Town Hall
• Share your own Krugersdorp stories
