Carne, Frederick, Frederick Carne, who is one of the representative business men of Victoria, prominently engaged in the retail grocery trade, has made his home in this city since 1864, covering a period of forty years. He was born in Burealstone, Devonshire, England, August 18, 1856, and for many generations his ancestors resided in that country. His father, Frederick Carne, was a native of Lescord, Cornwall, England, and was there reared and educated. In the place of his nativity he married Miss Harriet Pearce, of Sudruth, Cornwall. He was a miner by occupation and leaving his native country he went to the mining districts around Lake Superior and afterward to California, arriving in the latter state in 1856. In 1858 he went to the Fraser River, attracted by the gold discoveries along that stream and he met the usual experiences of the early miner, at times securing a large amount of gold and then again investing it in a search for a greater measure of the precious metal. Carnes Creek was named in his honour, he being one of the pioneer prospectors in that locality. He prospected in Cariboo and throughout that mining region and in the Big Bend country. Later he returned to Victoria and there joined his family, who had come to British Columbia from England in 1864. About that time he purchased the Angel Hotel, which he conducted successfully up to the time of his death, which occurred in April 1904, when he was in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
For forty years he had been a popular and well-known proprietor of Victoria. He had a very wide acquaintance, enjoying the friendship of many citizens of Victoria as well as of the travelling public. His wife still survives him and is yet conducting the hotel. Mr. Carne was one of the prominent members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a worthy and honourable citizen. In the family were the following children: Elizabeth, now wife of J. L. Crimp; Amelia, the wife of A. D. Whittier; Mary Jane, the wife of J. A. Grant; and Frederick.
In taking up the personal history of Frederick Carne we present to the readers of this volume the record of one who has a wide acquaintance both through business connections and socially. He acquired his education in Victoria and at the age of fifteen years entered upon his business career as an employee in the store of David Spencer, who carried a line of books and notions. He there remained for two years, after which he entered the grocery store of A. Rickman, with whom he remained for twelve years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the grocery business. His careful husbanding of his resources enabled him in 1884 to engage in business on his own account and he opened a store in the Odd Fellows Block on Douglas Street. Later he removed to Johnson Street and in 1894 established his business at his present location, No. 18 Yates Street.
For the past twenty years he has been one of the successful merchants, developing a profitable commercial enterprise through the honourable methods and earnest desire to please his patrons. He enjoys the thorough confidence of his customers by reason of his straightforward dealings and among his patrons are numbered many who have given him their business support since he started out for himself. In connection with two others he is also engaged in the sealing trade and is the owner of three schooners.
In October, 1885, Mr. Carne was united in marriage to Miss Anges Gowan, a native of Victoria and a daughter of Charles King, a respected pioneer of this city. They have had six children, of whom five are living, all born in Victoria: August, Fred, Marjory, Harold and Agnes. Theirs is one of the pleasant homes of Victoria, attractive in appearance and noted for its generous hospitality. Mr. Carne is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all chairs. He and his wife favour the Methodist Church, although they are not members thereof. Mr. Carne is a very active and creditable business man, highly deserving of the success which has come to him, his prosperity having been won by close application and unremitting attention to his business. He commands the respect of all with whom he is associated by reason of his sterling worth.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 357-358.