Joseph Cawthra JP

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Joseph Cawthra JP

Watercolour portrait of Joseph Cawthra, Horton Hall. Dated 1906

Fom John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was a step brother of Mr David Wade and Mr W Wade and commenced life in humble circumstances. A native of Great Horton he entered the service of Messrs Taylor & Ruinboll, stuff merchants at the age of 13. When that firm ceased he was engaged by them in London, when he set up a small connection on his own account. Soon afterwards he returned to Bradford & established himself as a ?, chiefly in Italians, cloth linings. Taking a partner, Mr Jagues, for some time carried on business under the style of Cawthra, Jagues & Co and on the retirement of Mr Jagues the firm was continued as Cawthra & Co and rose to the position of one of the leading houses in the trade, with an extensive manufacturing and merchant business.

The firm has branches in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Paris. After the death of Mr Cawthra's only son the firm was turned in to a limited liability Co which has had a very successful career. Mr Cawthra was appointed director and during the whole time acted as chairmen of the company. Mr Cawthra was very philanthropic. He was vice president of the Bradford Royal Infirmary & supporter of many other institutions, in which he took a passioned interest. Mr Cawthra purchased the land and built.

Year

1906

Creator

sowden

Image filename

sowden-258