John Broadbent

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John Broadbent

Watercolour portrait of John Broadbent age 75.

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"A stuff merchant and well known in political and religious affairs. Born at Wortley near Leeds, whose father carried on business as a woollen manufacturer. He came to Bradford in 1828, and entered the office of Mr John wood afterwards Messrs Wood and Walker, and after being 15 years with them he commenced business with Messrs R Pattenson and Co, and subsequently went into the same line of business on his own account under the style of Messrs John Broadbent and Son.

This name however, was adopted for commercial purposes only, Mr Broadbent never having a son. He was twice married, and had two daughters. About 1854 he had the misfortune to lose the whole of his capital by a fire which occurred in Swaine Street. He however recommenced on a small scale and succeeded in the course of a few years in regaining his position. He was three times returned to the Town Council and remained nine years from 1864 to 1872, during which time he represented Little Horton Ward. From 1876 to 1879 he was a member of the Bradford School Board.

In politics, a conservative, or, as he preferred to designate himself, a Constitutionalist. He threw himself into the borough as well as the parliamentary elections, with much zeal and particularly when supporting his friend the late Sir H W Ripley. He was a member of the Board of Management of the Bradford Infirmary from 1864 until his death. He was a member of the Committee of the Fever Hospital from its foundation to the transfer to the Corporation.

He was also on the committee of the Nurses' Training Institution as well as that of the Tradesmen's Benevolent Institution and was a Trustee of the East Morley and Bradford Savings Bank. Mr Broadbent formerly attended Little Horton Lane independent Chapel and took a great interest both in the Chapel and school, and was for many years superintendent of the branch Sunday School at Little Horton.

In later years he had been connected with and attended the Parish Church. He died in February 1889 at the age of 76."

Year

1888

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-6