Obituaries R - Z

Recently added obituaries appear on the Obituaries Home Page and will be transferred to the page relevant to their surname when newer ones are added.

ROBERTS, Benjamin (1856-1936)
Publication:  Bradford Observer - Saturday 20 June 1936
The death took place yesterday of Mr. Benjamin Roberts of 5 Nutter Street, Cleckheaton, who had been in business on his own account for 40 years as a tinner and sheet metal worker.
He was a former playing member of the Old Cleckheaton Rugby Football Club, trustee and deacon of Cleckheaton Westgate Congregational Church, a member of the Cleckheaton Liberal Club and a prominent local Oddfellow, having been a trustee of the Village Pride Lodge and rent steward of the Charity Lodge. He was 79 years of age.
(remembered on a gravestone at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery)

SAVORY, Harry (aka Henry) (1853-1911)
Publication: Cleckheaton Guardian - Friday 9 June 1911
The death took place on Monday at the age of 57 years, of Harry Savory of Cleckheaton, who was at one time one of the most noted athletes in the town.
He had exceptional abilities as a cricketer, both in the batting and bowling departments, and for many years he rendered splendid service for Cleckheaton, then known as the Hunsworth Mills Cricket Club. He also fulfilled professional engagements at Staincliffe, and that his fame was more than local is evidenced by the fact that he received an invitation to play for Lancashire Colts with a view to a trial with the Lancashire County team. Those were the days when birth qualification counted for little in County cricket circles. Savory, however, wrote back stating that he thought he was then too old to start with County cricket.
After his cricket days were over he took up the game of bowls with enthusiasm, and soon became very proficient. He joined the Spen club, was a member of their cup team and represented his County. He also took part in individual Merit Competitions with success. In the days of the original Cleckheaton Rugby Club, he played with the team when it was a power in the land, and altogether he was a typical athlete.
For years past he had failed in all his powers, but up to quite recently he had been able to get about and the end was a little unexpected. Deceased, who was married twice, leaves a widow and also two grown up sons by his first wife. The funeral will take place at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery this afternoon.

SEATON, Rev. John (1804-1877)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Wednesday 28 Feb 1877
Yesterday afternoon at a little before three o'clock, the Rev. Jno. Seaton, vicar of Cleckheaton, died at the vicarage at the age of 72 years. The rev. gentleman was the first incumbent of St. John's Church, Cleckheaton, which charge he has held for 44 years.
Mr Seaton was formerly curate of Christ's Church, Liversedge and in 1832 was appointed vicar of St. John's. The vicar of Birstal is the patron of the living. Mr Seaton had been confined to his bed for some weeks by a very painful illness.
(remembered on a gravestone at St. John's church)

SHARP, Samuel (1870-1951)
Publication: Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Monday 29 October 1951
The death has occurred at his home, Sunnybank, Scholes, Cleckheaton, of Mr. Samuel Sharp, a well-known West Riding cardmaker. He was 81.
The eldest son of Mr. William Sharp, of Scholes, he was an active director of Critchley, Sharp and Tetlow Ltd., cardmakers, of Cleckheaton. He was also one of the chief founders of Card Clothing and Belting Ltd., of Halifax, a combination of Critchley, Sharp and Tetlow Ltd., and other cardmaking firms in Yorkshire and Lancashire. For a number of years he was chairman of the combined company.
Mr. Sharp was a popular figure among woollen manufacturers in the West Riding. He was closely associated with Scholes Church and Church School, both of which he was a trustee. He was well known for his kindness and generosity to philanthropic institutions. Mr. Sharp leaves a widow and two sons.
(Samuel features on a gravestone at Whitechapel church. In 1939 Samuel was residing at an address in Leeds which was once the home of J.R.R. Tolkien)

SHARP, William (1836-1916)
Publication: Bradford Weekly Telegraph - Friday 13 October 1916
About half past six on Saturday morning the death took place of a well-known West Riding magistrate, Mr William Sharp of Sunny Bank, Scholes, Cleckheaton. In his 81st year, Mr Sharp was a senior partner in the large card making firm of Messrs. Critchley, Sharp and Tetlow, Prospect Mills, Cleckheaton, and card making was a trade with which his own family had been associated for generations.
Not very long ago he had the felicity of celebrating his golden wedding. Apart from his business activities, Mr Sharp was well-known for his generous help to many worthy causes and the Church and day and Sunday schools of his native village were especially indebted to his generosity.
He was a member of the Spen Valley Conservative Association and President of the Scholes Conservative Club. Mr Sharp leaves a widow, two sons and several daughters.
At the Bradford West Riding Police Courts on Monday, the Chairman (Dr. W H Ellis) made sympathetic reference to the death of Mr Sharp, and on behalf of the Bench, said he desired to express their sense of the loss which they had sustained. The deceased gentleman had been a member of the Bench since 1906, and had been most regular in his attendance. At all times he was anxious that justice should be meted out, and, if anything, he erred on the side of leniency. He (the Chairman) moved that they express sympathy with the bereaved family. The members of the Bench signified assent by rising in their places.
(features on a gravestone at Whitechapel church)

SIDDALL, John (1821-1893)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Saturday 7 January 1893
By the death of Mr John Siddall of Cleckheaton, which took place yesterday forenoon at his residence, York Place, Cleckheaton has lost its oldest tradesman and one of its most useful citizens.
Mr Siddall, who was 71 years of age, was a native of Ripon and went to Cleckheaton in 1845, from which time up to his death he had successfully carried on the business of printer and stationer, and held the position of stamp distributor from 1855.
For thirty years Mr Siddall published the "Cleckheaton Advertiser," and strongly espoused Liberal principles, and on relinquishing this journal his fellow tradesmen presented him with an oil portrait in appreciation of his political services.
For upwards of thirty years Mr Siddall acted as the district representative for the "Leeds Mercury," and thirteen years ago these duties were transferred to his son.
The deceased gentleman was a Freemason, an Oddfellow and until incapacitated by advanced years, was an active performing member of the Philharmonic Society. Being an ardent lover of music, commencing as a choir boy at Otley Parish Church at the age of twelve years, he retained that position until completing his apprenticeship with Mssrs William Walker and Sons, publishers; and for forty years he was connected with the choirs at Otley and Heckmondwike Parish churches and Providence Place Congregational Chapel, Cleckheaton.
At Providence Place church, too, he had held positions as teacher in the school and as chapel trustee. Mr Siddall was a member of the Cleckheaton Chamber of Commerce from its formation, also of the Spen Valley Liberal Association. The blinds at the Liberal club were drawn and the flag floated at half-mast.
The funeral is fixed for Monday morning at the Cleckheaton Cemetery.
(features on a gravestone at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery)

SMITH, Enos (1851-1933)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Tuesday 17 January 1933
Mr Enos Smith (81), who died at Torquay, was until twenty years ago a well-known Spenborough business man, living at Pyenot Hall, Cleckheaton.
At one time Mr Smith was chairman of the old Liversedge District Council, and a member of the West Riding County Council.
With his brother, Mr Ai Smith, he acquired the wire drawing business of Messrs Goldthorpe at Pyenot Hall Mills, and as Messrs E and A Smith Ltd., it was extended to a remarkable extent, and it is now incorporated in British Ropes Ltd.

SMITH, Fred (1880-1940)
Publication: Yorkshire Post - Saturday 4 May 1940
Mr. Fred Smith of Pollard Hall, Gomersal, near Leeds, died suddenly yesterday at the Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham, where he had been staying recently after an illness. He was 60 years of age.
He was a very well known figure in the wire section of the steel trade and was joint managing director of British Ropes Ltd.
Until his illness a short time ago Mr Smith was Controller of Wire under Ministry of Supply at Steel House. During the last war he performed similar service for the Admiralty as Assistant Director of Materials and Supply, which was recognised in 1913 by the conferring of the CBE.
Among his colleagues in the iron and steel trade Mr. Smith was regarded as one of the greatest authorities on steel wire, and his business acumen was widely recognised.
His other industrial interests included the chairmanship of J. Blakeborough and Sons Ltd., and directorships of the Darlington Fencing Company, the Templeborough Rolling Mills Ltd. and William Cooke and Co. Ltd.
For many years Mr. Smith had been a magistrate for the West Riding. Until a short time ago he was president of the Spen Valley Conservative Association. He was also president of the Gomersal Conservative Club and took a keen interest in the Gomersal Cricket Club.
He leaves a widow, one son - Lieut. Col. Sydney Smith, who is commanding the 68th Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A. and two daughters, both of whom are living abroad.
(remembered on a gravestone at Cleckheaton New Cemetery)

SMITH, Sydney (1900-1953)
Publication: Yorkshire Post - Monday 5 January 1953
A former president of Spen Valley Chamber of Commerce and of Spen Valley Conservative Association, Lieut. Colonel Sydney Smith, died at his home, Pollard Hall, Gomersal, yesterday. He was 52.
Colonel Smith held the Territorial Decoration and during the last war commanded the 68th Anti-Tank Regiment R.A. from 1939-41. He was a Justice of the Peace, president of the Spenborough branch of the Royal Society of St. George in 1935, a member of the Council of the British Iron and Steel Federation from 1937-44 and was chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Export in 1945-46.
In 1950 he was president of the Helicopter Society of Great Britain, after having been vice-chairman from 1947-49. He was educated at Silcoates School, Wakefield and Mill Hill School.
He had been a member of the Central Committee of Industrial Users of Gas since 1948, of the Education Committee of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce since 1948 and of the Executive of the Wakefield Diocesan Area of the National Register of Archives since 1949.
He was the son of the late Mr Fred Smith, who was a member of the Council of the Federation of British Industries, chairman of J Blakeborough and Sons Ltd., and joint managing director of British Ropes Ltd. Mr Fred Smith died in 1940.
In 1925 Colonel Smith married Dr Ann Sugden, the daughter of the late Mr A T Sugden of Gomersal House.
(remembered on a gravestone at Cleckheaton New Cemetery)

SPENCE, Richard Turfitt (1927-1999)
Publication: The Guardian - Unknown date
Spence was born in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, and educated at Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School, and University College, London, from which he graduated in 1951 after national service. He trained as a teacher in 1952, and was then invited by the late Professor Bindoff of London university to undertake a PhD, which led to a thesis on the Cliffords. After history school teaching at Slough Grammar School and Arnold School in Blackpool, he joined Leeds and Carnegie College.
Until 1990, it was a distinguished, but largely unremarkable career. Then, in the last decade of his life the power of Dick Spence, who has died aged 72, as a historian of the Clifford family and of northern England, fully manifested itself.
In 1981, Spence opted for early retirement when the City of Leeds and Carnegie College - where he was senior lecturer - was gobbled up by Leeds Polytechnic as part of a reorganisation of higher education. Aged only 54, and a bachelor, his friends watched anxiously as he grappled with a new phase of life.
They need not have worried. Going back to his academic roots, where he had started as a postgraduate in the 50s, he turned again to the fortunes of the Cliffords, the earls of Cumberland. Spence explored their terrain intellectually and physically, through their northern estates in Carlisle, Yorkshire and the Scottish Marches and their southern domain at Wilton House in Wiltshire. He followed the family to the Azores and Puerto Rico, in the steps of the third Earl of Cumberland, who conquered the island in 1598.
Within nine years, he completed Skipton Castle In The Great Civil War 1642-45; The Shepherd Lord Of Skipton Castle: Henry Clifford, 10th Lord Clifford; The Privateering Earl: George Clifford, 3rd Earl Of Cumberland 1558-1605; and Lady Anne Clifford 1590-1676.
Skipton Castle And Its Builders is to be published shortly. He also had several important articles published by the Thoresby Society, Northern History, the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal and the Burlington Magazine.
warmhearted, gentle, with a fine sense of humour, Spence was a good club cricketer, and his lifelong, albeit critical, support of Yorkshire cricket club ensured that his home in Leeds frequently served as a social annex to the nearby Headingley cricket ground.
(remembered on a gravestone at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery)

STEAD, Benjamin (1843-1901)
Publication: Bradford Observer - Saturday 17 Aug 1901
Early yesterday morning the death took place of Mr Benjamin Stead, of South Parade, Cleckheaton, formerly a partner in the firm of Edwin Stead and Sons, cardsetting machine makers, Prospect Mills.
On Tuesday evening, while playing bowls, he was seized with apoplexy. He was taken home and a doctor called in, and it was hoped that he would recover, but death took place as stated. The deceased gentleman, who leaves a widow and grown-up family, was about sixty years of age. He held no public office, but was an old and much respected member of the Liberal Club and the Village Pride Lodge of Oddfellows.
(Benjamin features on a gravestone at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery)

STEAD, William (1815-1897)
Publication: Cleckheaton Guardian - Friday 24 September 1897
We have to announce the death of our former and well-known townsman, Mr Wm. Stead, late proprietor and occupier of Prospect Foundry, which took place at his residence at Askern on Friday last, at the advanced age of 82 years.
Mr Stead was a native of the town, and he and his brother John both served an apprenticeship with their uncle, George Stead, of the Old Foundry. On the death of their uncle they succeeded to the extensive business of engineers and ironfounders, and were doing well when differences arose which brought about a dissolution of partnership.
Deceased then erected Prospect Foundry, and there carried on a large business for many years. Although he was always a hard worker and a steady man, he was not sufficiently educated to attend to the financial affairs of such an undertaking, and through the fault of those who managed this department, he was not so successful as he ought to have been.
Mr Stead married a daughter a Mr Mortimer, of this town, carrier - sister to Messrs. William and Benjamin Mortimer, who for many years carried on the business of carriers together. She was a most a most exemplary wife, but unhappily for her husband, died many years ago. Subsequently he took up his residence at Askern, where he took a second wife, but their union was short owing to her death. Some four years ago he again married a lady from Knottingley, and they have been living very happily together at Askern.
Mr Stead fell ill nearly twelve months ago, and the care and devotion with which his good wife has nursed him during a painful and protracted illness is beyond al praise. It is a solace to his relatives and friends that his closing years have been made so comfortable, and indeed happy.
The funeral took place at Cleckheaton Cemetery on Monday last. Mr John Ellis was the undertaker. The cortege consisted of hearse and three mourning coaches supplied by Messrs. Andrew Oade and Sons. The following gentlemen, old friends of the deceased, acted as bearers: Alfred Hall, Charles Hirst, Sam Clough, Samuel Swires, Robert Earnshaw and John Roberts. The Rev. W Jansen Davies Officiated.

STOCKS, William (1802-1892)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Friday 8 Jan 1892
By the death of Mr William Stocks, of Whitcliffe House, Cleckheaton, which took place on Wednesday evening at his residence, the town has lost one of its oldest men of business.
The deceased was the senior partner in the firm of leather merchants and curriers trading as Wm. Stocks and Son. The deceased gentleman served a term of four years on the Local Board (1863-7) and did other useful public work, though of late years, owing to infirmity, little was seen of him in public, though he has all along manifested great interest in the town's progress.
He was regarded as the local father of the Wesleyan body and he always gave considerable aid both financially and by personal effort in any movement affecting his denomination. The new Wesleyan Chapel in Whitcliffe Road, recently opened, received his aid. The deceased was in his ninetieth year.
(remembered on a gravestone at Whitechapel church)

SUGDEN, Eva (1877-1984)
Publication: Huddersfield Daily Examiner - Tuesday 16 October 1984
Mrs Eva Sugden, who celebrated her 107th birthday in July, has died at Turnsteads Old People's Home, Cleckheaton.
A former resident of Scholes, near Cleckheaton, Mrs Sugden was a founder member of the Spenborough Ladies' Lifeboat Guild and worked for the WRVS during the second World War.
The widow of the former Cleckheaton stationer and printer Mr Frank Sugden, she was a teacher at the old Church School, Scholes.
Mrs Sugden leaves a son and daughter. The funeral service will be at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday.
(Eva's maiden name is Asquith. Her husband's father was the Postmaster of Cleckheaton Post Office when it was originally located on Northgate)

SUGDEN, William (1848-1911)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Tuesday 25 July 1911
The death took place yesterday morning at his home, Acre Villa, after a long illness, of Mr William Sugden, of the firm Wm. Sugden and Sons, shirt makers, Water Lane Mills, Cleckheaton.
Mr Sugden, who was sixty three years of age, was originally a tailor, and with the aid of several sons later on extended his business in this branch, and also took up the drapery trade and the manufacture of shirts.
Mr Sugden retired from active participation in the business some years ago, but his health began to be affected very soon afterwards, and he had consequently led a very quiet life, though he was able to drive about until a few weeks ago.
(features on a gravestone at Cleckheaton New Cemetery)

SYKES, Dr. Benjamin Clifford (1822-1891)
Publication: Bradford Daily Telegraph - Saturday 17 October 1891
Dr Benjamin C Sykes died at his residence, Brookhouse, Cleckheaton, at half past three this (Friday) morning, in the seventieth year of his age. The doctor was the youngest son of Mr John Sykes, shoemaker. He was articled to Dr Robson, surgeon, and was then sent to the medical college at Edinburgh, where he obtained his degree of MD.
On finishing his course of studies at Edinburgh he commenced practice in Cleckheaton. Here he remained for many years and succeeded in securing a large practice, not only in Cleckheaton but the neighbourhood around. He remained a bachelor until nearly fifty years of age, when he married Mary, the second daughter of the late Mr Samuel Law, of Moorland House.
(features on a gravestone at Whitechapel church) 

WADSWORTH, Elymas (1829-1891)
Publication: Yorkshire Post - Friday 22 May 1891
Mr Elymas Wadsworth, a member of the West Riding County Council, died at his residence, Broomfield House, Cleckheaton, yesterday, at the age of 61 years.
Mr Wadsworth was head of the firm of Messrs. E. Wadsworth & Sons, worsted spinners, Broomfield Mills, and was associated with almost every public movement in Cleckheaton.
He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, served ten years on the Local Board, was president of the Town Hall Committee and one of the largest subscribers to the fund.
He was a director of the Bradford Banking Company and he represented Cleckheaton on the North Bierley Board of Guardians from 1887 up to the end of the last official year.
In politics he was a Liberal and was prominently connected with the Westgate Congregational Chapel at Cleckheaton, being a trustee of the place.
He had been in indifferent health for the past three years, but attended the meeting of the County Council last Wednesday and was taken ill on returning home.
(remembered on a set of family tombs at Cleckheaton Old Cemetery)

WADSWORTH, James Walter (1855-1910)
Publication: Bradford Observer - Wednesday 20 July 1910
The death took place at a late hour on Monday night of Mr James Walter Wadsworth, of Broomfield House, Cleckheaton, eldest son of the late Mr Elymas Wadsworth, and senior partner in the firm of E. Wadsworth & Sons, worsted spinners, Broomfield Mills. He had not been well for several months, suffering from heart and other troubles, but continued to attend to business, and to public affairs as a member of the Cleckheaton District Council up to about a fortnight ago. He was fifty-five years of age.
Associated from boyhood with the business at Broomfield, Mr Wadsworth was a well-known figure on the Bradford Exchange, and in local business circles generally, and at Cleckheaton he had for many years taken a leading part in local affairs. On the Local Board and District Council he had sat continuously for over seventeen years, and for two years was chairman of the latter body. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cleckheaton Secondary and Technical School.
As a Liberal the deceased gentleman was a vice president of the Cleckheaton Liberal Club and a member of the Executive of the Spen Valley Liberal Association, and frequently took a leading part in public meetings of the party. In conjunction with his brother, Mr Fred Wadsworth, he presented as a gift to the town the clock and chimes in the Town Hall tower; and on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone for the Secondary and Technical School last year, he gave £2000 for the endowment of leaving scholarships.

WALKER, Rowland (1826-1904)
Publication: Brighouse News - Friday 25 November 1904
On Tuesday the death too place at the age of 78, of Mr Rowland Walker of The Whitcliffe, Cleckheaton, and head of the firm of Rowland Walker and Son, curriers and leather merchants. He had been laid aside for some months, but up to last summer he retained his powers apparently little impaired and continued to take an active part in his business, and also in that of George Crossley Limited, engineers, Cleckheaton, of which he had been chairman from the incorporation of the company.
He was a native of Clifton, Brighouse, and born of humble parentage, his frugality and business capacity had enabled him to build up a more than ordinary position in business life and as an employer of labour - first at Hightown, Liversedge and subsequently at Cleckheaton.
In the early years of the Cleckheaton Local Board he was a member of that body for a short time, and subsequently also of the North Bierley Board of Guardians, and for something like twenty years he filled the office of overseer for the poor of the township.
He was a Churchman and one of the oldest members of the congregation, and also a past warden at St. John's, Cleckheaton. In politics he was a staunch Liberal, though he took no active part in political life. He leaves two sons and five daughters, Mrs Walker having died some years ago.
(buried at St. John's, Cleckheaton and also features on one of the few remaining gravestones at that location)

WALTON, Rev. James Hatton (1820-1876)
Publication: Batley Reporter and Guardian - Saturday 23 December 1876
We regret to announce the death of the Rev. James Hatton Walton, who for the last 30 years has held the perpetual curacy of Roberttown. His last sermon was preached on the 10th inst., and on that occasion he was far from well, but his illness developed shortly afterwards, and gradually becoming worse, he died on Sunday last, much regretted not only by the people of Roberttown but by a large circle of friends, lay and clerical.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was attended by numerous clergymen and others. The officiating minister was the Rev. John Kemp, vicar of Birstall. After the appointed Psalm (xc) and lesson (i, Cor. xv.) had been read, the hymn, "When our heads are bowed with woe," was sung in the church, and at the grave, "The Saviour lives, no more to die."
Mr Walton had attained his fifty-sixth birthday two days prior to his death. He was ordained in 1845, and for a few months officiated as curate at St. John's, Cleckheaton, under the Rev. J. Seaton. In the following year he was appointed to the living of All Saints, Roberttown and held it up to the time of his death.
The deceased gentleman for several years was a somewhat frequent contributor to the correspondence columns of The Reporter. The living he held is in the gift of the vicar of Birstall.

WHITELEY, Frank Holden (1898-1953)
Publication: Bradford Observer - Tuesday 28 July 1953
The death has occurred of Mr Frank Holden Whiteley, Maxgate, Whitehall Road, Wyke, chairman of G. E. Whiteley Ltd., metal brokers, Upper Lane Mills, Westgate, Cleckheaton. He was 55.
Mr Whiteley, who was born in Cleckheaton, was a prominent Freemason. He was a Past Master of the Friendship Lodge and in the chair of the Zetland Chapter, Cleckheaton.
In addition to the family concern he was connected with the industrial brush manufacturing business f Technical Brushes Ltd., at Cleckheaton. He leaves a widow and one son.

WHITELEY, George (1849-1924)
Publication: Leeds Mercury - Friday 2 May 1924
The news was received at Cleckheaton yesterday, of the death, the previous midnight, of Mr George Whiteley, of Inglewood, Harrogate. Aged about seventy-five, he had a remarkable record in Cleckheaton and district as local administrator, educationalist, temperance man, Liberal and County Councillor.
(George Whiteley was from Scholes and a card manufacturer and clerk by trade. He served as a member of the Cleckheaton Local Board and was one of the "Cleckheaton Conspirators" who were instrumental in the foundation of Whitcliffe Mount school)

WILLIAMSON, Thomas (1799-1875)
Publication: Cleckheaton Guardian - Friday 18 June 1875
It is with feelings of regret that we have to announce the death of one of our oldest and most respected townsmen, Mr Williamson, which took place at his residence, The Tofts, about eleven o'clock yesterday forenoon, in the 76th year of his age.
Some six months ago Mr Williamson was prostrated by a sudden and severe attack of heart disease and although he had recovered so far as to be able to take a little outdoor exercise, yet his family and friends had noticed that week by week he became gradually weaker. On Sunday morning he ventured to attend service at White Chapel, and the following evening he was out for an airing in the phaeton, but on Tuesday he was unfortunately overtaken by another attack of his dangerous disease, which his enfeebled condition could not again withstand, and he gradually sank, until life ebbed out; the spirit taking its flight son tranquilly that the exact moment was not observable.
We need say little at present of Mr Williamson's family, it being one of the oldest and best known in this district. A quarter of a century ago deceased, in partnership with his brother, Mr John Williamson, carried on business in this town as cloth and oil merchants, at the well known and extensive premises now comprising St. John's Place. On Mr John Williamson's retirement from business, some twenty years ago, Mr Thomas continued the oil business only; and subsequently removed to new premises built by him, abutting on the railway station.
Formerly Mr Williamson took an active interest in the public business of the town; and no man's opinion was so much sought by his fellow townsmen in any circumstances requiring friendly counsel, nor was his purse less at their service. Mr Williamson was widely known as a staunch Conservative and a thorough churchman. When Cleckheaton was famed throughout the West Riding as a stronghold of the "yellows," through the prominence of their decorations, their waggons and their music at the nominations, he still stuck to his colour of true blue, although he might have counted his local political partisans on the fingers of one hand. In him the church has a zealous supporter in all respects.
Through his influence and exertions the site of St. John's church was acquired, and the grant for its erection secured, and to the fund which it was necessary to raise to carry out the project he was a large subscriber. In business, he was just and upright, and his sense of humour so high that his word was his bond. The mortal remains of the deceased gentleman will be interred at St. John's church on Tuesday morning next at half past ten.