LEVESTAM, HENRY AUGUSTUS (1833-89) was a native of Flensburg, in the Duchy of Schleswig, his father being a Danish doctor practising in Copenhagen. He was educated in Denmark, and after training as a marine engineer went to London for experience and was employed in English steamers. In 1855 he came to New Zealand as second engineer of the Lord Ashley, and he served also in the Airedale for some years before settling down in Nelson. There he married (1861) Miss Hargreaves. He established the Soho foundry and afterwards engineering works.

Though hampered in speaking by his foreign accent, Levestam was keenly interested in Liberal politics, and in 1881 was elected M.H.R. for Nelson City (defeating J. C. Richmond). He was elected again in 1884 (defeating Piper), and in 1887 (defeating Piper and Gibbs). He died on 11 Feb 1889.

Parltry Record; N.Z.P.D., 1881-89; Nelson Evening Mail, 12 Feb 1889.

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 264

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