Mitchell, Sir Henry JP

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Watercolour portrait of Sir Henry Mitchell JP

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Sir Henry was born at Esholt in 1824. His father was Mr WH Mitchell was a small manufacturer. He was educated at a country school and at fourteen years of age began to learn the different processes of manufacturing.

He came to Bradford in 1842 as manager for Messrs William Fison and Co. of which firm the Right Hon WE Forster, Mr P, was a partner until his death. In 1848 Mr Mitchell became a buyer for Messrs A & S Henry and Co. and after four years service with the firm was made a partner. When Mr Mitchell entered the service of Messrs A & S Henry and Co. the population of Bradford was not more than 80,000; it is now close on 300,000 and the trade increased at a corresponding rate. In 1870 Mr Mitchell was elected a member of the Bradford Town Council, for the South Ward and was made an Aderman in 1871. He was Mayor in 1874-5, retiring from the Council in 1891. He was an active member of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and since 1877 was President of that body four times. In 1876 Mr Mitchell was appointed English judge for woollen and silk fabrics and became President of the group for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. He was also vice president of the jurors to adjudicate upon worsted yarn at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, with HRH the Prince of Wales as president.

He was a member of the first School Board elected for Bradford. Was a vice president of the Bradford Mechanics’ Institute, and a governor of the Bradford Grammar School, but his greatest work was in connection with the Bradford Technical School. This institution was erected at a cost of £40,000, of which Henry subscribed nearly one fourth.

The college was opened by HRH the Prince of Wales in June 1882 upon which occasion Sir Henry had the honour of entertaining HRH the Prince and Princess at luncheon together with 600 or 700 of the leading men of the district and many distinguished guests. Sir Henry was President of the College. He was elected honorary member of the Worshipful Company of Clothmakers and was a member of the Board of Governors of the City and Guilds of London Institute. He was a very prominent member of the Wesleyans in Bradford and gave literally both time and money.

The honour of Knighthood was conferred upon Sir Henry on July 9th, 1887. The honorary freedom of the city, in recognition of his eminent services was conferred by the municipality for the first time in 1898. He was a member of the Bradford and County Conservative clubs.

Sir Henry Mitchell married in 1857 the daughter of the Reverend DN Gordon of Earlston, Berwickshire by which issue he had three sons. He died in 1898."

Year

1889

Creator

Sowden

Image filename

sowden-171