North, William H

This item is active and ready to use

North, William H

Watercolour portrait of William H North

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born at Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield where his parents were handloom weavers, and on coming to Bradford when a boy he found employment at Messrs Oates Ingham and Sons dyeworks. At 24 years of age he was foreman dyer for Mr Benjamin Ingham, Bradford. In 1871 he joined his brother as dyers at Brownroyd. The partnership was dissolved and afterwards he erected new premises at Crossley Hall in 1888. The business was taken over by the British Cotton and Wool Dyers’ Association in 1900. He was elected Chairman of the Association and retired on account of ill-health and spent much time abroad and touring around the world.

He was a member of the City Council from 1899 to 1902 for Allerton Ward. He failed to secure re-election in 1902 and 1905. In November 1910 he contested Bolton Ward and was beaten by three votes. He was a Liberal in politics, in religion was a Baptist and was a Sunday school worker for 25 years at Tetley Street, Westgate and Girlington.

He was president of the Bradford Old Choral Society but resigned on account of ill health. He also took an interest in the city’s philanthropic institutions and in 1909 gave £1000 to the Royal Infirmary.

He was a member of the Children's Hospital Committee and a director of the Bradford & District Newspaper Company Ltd. Mr North was honoured by being made a Magistrate in 1909. Mr North was three times married and he is survived by his widow and six children."

Year

1910

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-301