Priestman, Frederick

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Watercolour portrait by John Sowden of Frederick Priestman, J.P.

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born in Bradford in 1836, the eldest son of Mr John Priestman.

He was educated at the Friends School at York, from 1846 to 1851 and at Grove House Tottenham. He entered his father’s manufacturing business in 1853 and helped largely to build up the concern. On the death of his father Mr Fred Priestman and his brother Edward retained control of the Ashfield Mills and extended the business.

The business was taken over by a limited company and Mr Frederick Priestman was chairman. Mr priest man was president of the Bradford Band of Hope Union for 21 years. Mr Priestman along with Dr Maffey and a few friends, was the founder of the Bradford Coffee Tavern Company which started in 1878 and for many years successful but ultimately came to grief. Mr Priestman entered the Town Council in 1874 representing Manningham Ward.

He was made an Alderman in 1880. He was deputy chairman of the Gas and Electricity Supply Committee from 1877 to 1880 after which he was chairman for 14 years. Bradford was the first municipal body to possess an electric lighting system.

It is interesting to note the progress in Bradford of the gas department as a remunerator concern, for whilst Mr Priestman was Chairman of the Committee a sum actually exceeding the amount of the capital outlay of the gasworks was applied to the reduction of the rates.

In 1994 Mr Priestman retired from the chair in consequence of business engagements and from that time until 1898 he devoted himself to the work of the watch committee.

He was elected Mayor in 1882. He was a member of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and also served on the Council of the Technical College. Whilst he was Mayor he presented to the corporation a duplicate of the badge for use on occasions when the more stately regalia is not convenient.

Mr Priestman was for 23 years the Chairman of the Friends Provident Institution. He has been actively associated with numerous charitable and philanthropic societies and of the Society of Friends he is a prominent member.

Mr Priestman has always taken a keen interest in the Blind and has been Chairman of the Bradford Royal Institution for the Blind for many years. Mr P married in 1865, Mabel, daughter of the late Mr D Tuke of Bradford. In moments of leisure chess occupied his attention."

Year

1911

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-313