Stephenson, George Balme

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Portrait of George Balme Stephenson.

Sowden's note in notebooks -
'Was born in 1835 in Bradford. His father was a farmer and butcher and also kept the Durham Ox Inn when the upper end of Westgate was among green fields. Mr George went to a private school which a Mr Dearden conducted in Brunswick Place. When he was 14 years of age he entered upon his business career, joining his brother Thomas who had taken premises in Charles Street for the supply of oils, soaps and lubricants for uses in the textile industry. In 1857 Mr George went to Australia in quest of a fortune and spent two years in the goldfields. After went to Melbourne but returned to England to resume his previous position with the firm - now consolidated as Stephenson Bros. in 1862. In 1871 his nephew Mr George Speight joined the business which continued to expand. To cope with the trade they entered upon premises in Smith Street, and another block was completed in 1913. The Godwin Street stores was built in 1884 and in 1897 the large warehouse in Chesham Street was put up. Soap works in Sedgwick Street was bought in 1914 to facilitate the operations of the firm. Mr Thomas Stephenson died 1884. Mr Stephenson is a Liberal in politics and in religion a Congregationalist. He sat on the City Council as a representative of the West Ward in 1889. He is a member of the Bfd Eye and Ear Hospital, a trustee of the Bfd Savings Bank, also of the Bfd Tradesmen's Home and a director of the Spinsters Endowment Fund. Mr Stephenson has been twice married and has issue 3 sons and 3 daughters.'

Year

1915

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-339