Brown, George

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Brown, George

Watercolour portrait of George Brown, tailor. Born at Birtstall, 1824. Went to Leeds 1828, came to Bradford 1842. Commenced business on own account 1847. Worked a full journeyman when 14 and a half years old.

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born at Birstall in 1824, his father being a master tailor there, and he went to the board to help his father at the age of seven. At the age of eight when his father removed to Leeds with his business young Brown was about the shop. In 1841 the family came to Bradford and George Brown worked with his father for Mr Wilson in the old market, Kirkgate.

After a short time he took a small shop in the old Bradford market house at a rent of £3 a year. In two years time he had added another market stand and by 1851 he had increased to four stalls in the market, and in the same year he rented a shop in Market Street and in two years added the premises next door. During this time and having six places of business he was living in a house only rented at £5 per year. After a time he settled down in his premises in Kirkgate and Picadilly.

For many years he was very active in the local property market, mainly in partnership with Mr John Sowden the artist with whom he was associated for 40 years. Among the extensive undertakings in which they were concerned was the White Swan Estate in Market Street, Marshall’s Mill Estate, Schuster’s Buildings and an estate at Ilkley. Although Mr Brown was widely known in the Bradford district, he was never induced to take any part in public affairs. He was Liberal and a Baptist. In 1905 he was awarded a silver medal and diploma in recognition of the fact that he was the oldest person in the clothing trade in England, having been connected with it for 75 years. He died in 1906 aged 82 leaving a son and a daughter."

Year

1891

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

Sowden-146