Popplewell, John

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Popplewell, John

Watercolour portrait by John Sowden of Alderman John Popplewell, J.P.

From John Sowden's notebooks:

"Came of an old West Riding family, born in Bradford in 1844, was originally intended for a schoolmaster, but after completing his apprenticeship as a pupil teacher he spent some time with a wool stapler, Mr John Gurney and afterwards went into business as a manufacturer. He had a lifelong connection with church work in the parish of Holy Trinity.

He went to the new Leeds Sunday School at four years of age and since that time he attended the scholars “Festival” at Whitsuntide every year without intermission – a record such as far (rest of sentence unclear. He was always an enthusiastic musician and a student of church music. When Holy Family Church was opened in 1864 Mr Popplewell (who was then 20 years of age) was at once installed honorary choirmaster by the late Reverend Canon Edwards.

On his completing a period of twenty years as choirmaster in 1884 the congregation in recognition of his services presented him with a solid silver tea and coffee service. He was first returned to the Town Council for the South Ward in 1887 and again in 1890 and in 1893. He was made Alderman in 1895. He was a member of the Free Library and Art Gallery Committee ever since he entered the Council, acting for some times as deputy chairman and afterwards chairman. He was a Justice of the Peace. He died in 1914."

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-102