Moulson, Alderman William

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Watercolour portrait of Alderman William Moulson

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was a native of Bradford and was born at Holme Top, Horton, in 1825. He had very little schooling, his position in the city having been acquired by the exertion of that indomitable perseverance which he showed in every walk of life.

From their first connection with Bradford the s were engaged in the stone trade, either as stone quarriers, or as builders, and they had no inconsiderable share in the reconstruction of Bradford.

Mr Moulson's father and his brother Miles, under the name of John Moulson & Co carried out several large undertakings, including a section of the Bowling Tunnel on the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway and Britannia Mills for Messrs C Waud & Co.

In 1852 William Moulson and his cousin David, son of Miles Moulson was taken into partnership and soon after erected for the late Sir Titus Salt a portion of the works and town of Saltaire, including the bridge over the canal and river, stables and the Congregational Church. On the death of Mr Miles Moulson the firm in 1858 became John Moulson & Sons. In 1876 Mr William Moulson took into partnership his sons Angus and Rufus. In 1886 the firm was joined by two other sons, John and Archibald, and Mr Moulson himself retired from the business.

He was elected to the Town Council in 1877 as a Liberal representative of the Bowling Ward. He never had to undergo the ordeal of a contested election. He was re-elected in 1880 and was elected Alderman in 1883. He retained this position until 1898.

During 1888-9 he occupied the Mayoral Chair and during his Mayoralty the Shah of Persia visited Bradford. In 1888 Mr Moulson was made a Justice of the Peace. He was associated with the Street Improvement and Waterworks Schemes during twenty years. Mr Moulson was a director of the Third Equitable Building Society.

He was a lifelong Baptist and held many offices in connection with that body.

Mr Moulson was twice married and left four sons and five daughters. He died in 1904."

Year

1890

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-133