James Genth

James Genth
Birth nameJacob Scherer Genth
Date of birthJuly 17, 1849
Place of birthArdwick, Manchester
Date of deathApril 2, 1926
Place of deathFulham, London (aged 76 years 259 days)
Occupation(s)Shipping Merchant
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Manchester[1] ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1874-1875 England 2

James Genth (1849–1926) was a rugby union international who represented England from 1874 to 1875.[2]

Early life

Born Jacob Scherer Genth on July 17, 1849, in Ardwick, Manchester,[2] he was the fifth of at least seven children of Carl Georg Ferdinand Genth and Maria Louise née Scherer. Both his mother and father were originally from Hessen-Nassau and Jacob was baptised there in Frankfurt.[3] His father, known as Ferdinand, had arrived in England in 1842,[4] the year after marrying Maria.[5] Ferdinand traded as a Shipping Merchant operating out of Lancashire.[6] Although christened Jacob, his family were to refer to him as James by the time he was 11.[6] By the age of 21, James was working as a commercial clerk in his father's firm.[7]

Rugby union career

James Genth grew up in Fallowfield, Lancashire, now a suburb of Manchester. As such, he played his club rugby for Manchester.[1] Genth made his winning international debut on February 23, 1874,[2] at The Oval in the fourth meeting of England and Scotland.[1] He again represented England against Scotland the following year in Edinburgh where the match was drawn.[1]

Career and later life

James was a keen sportsman and aside from rugby also played lacrosse, at one point represented the North in the North vs South match held at the Kennington Oval on 7 April 1877.[8] He was a keen golfer as well.[9] James Genth continued within his father's business and became a Shipping Merchant, residing in the family home in Burnage, Lancashire.[10] By 1901 he had retired[11] but still travelled extensively, describing himself as a gentleman.[12] James had moved to London by 1921 and from 1921 was married to Rose Ellen.[13] He died on 2 April 1926.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Marshall, Francis, Football; the Rugby union game, p390, (1892) (London Paris Melbourne, Cassell and company, limited)
  2. ^ a b c James Genth Profile on espn.co.uk
  3. ^ Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013, FHL Film Number: 341773
  4. ^ England, Alien Arrivals, 1810-1811, 1826-1869, Class: Ho 2; Piece: 102; Certificate Number: 903-904
  5. ^ Ancestry.com. Rhineland, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1533-1950, Evangelisches Kirchenbuchamt Hannover; Film Number: 341801; Page Number: 556;557
  6. ^ a b 1861 England Census Class: Rg 9; Piece: 2874; Folio: 93; Page: 8; GSU roll: 543042
  7. ^ 1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 3973; Folio: 117; Page: 3; GSU roll: 846086
  8. ^ 'Athletic News' - Wednesday 11th April 1877
  9. ^ Golf Illustrated. (1903). p153 United Kingdom: The Office.
  10. ^ Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 3163; Folio: 133; Page: 35; GSU roll: 6098273
  11. ^ 1901 England census Class: RG13; Piece: 3669; Folio: 132; Page: 9
  12. ^ The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Customs Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At San Francisco; NAI Number: 4478116; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85
  13. ^ BT27 Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Outwards Passenger Lists; Reference Number: Series BT27-136350
  14. ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1861-1941