Peel, Abram

Peel, Abram
Peel, Abram
Peel, Abram
Watercolour portrait by John Sowden of Alderman Abram Peel, J.P., Lord Mayor 1916-1917

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born in 1864 at Dudley Hill. His father was a miner and his mother a weaver.

As a seven-year-old boy the Alderman himself went to work at Albion Mill and attended as a half timer at the Bierley Church School. He obtained a position in the warehouse, then became a junior clerk and afterwards went out as a market man in connection with the slubbing dyeing trade.

He commenced business on his own account in 1887, and started as a comber in 1890. At present he is connected with the firm of Abram Peel Bros Limited as a branch manager for the British Cotton & Woollen Dyers Association Ltd. He is also a principal of the firm of Robinson & Peel, Combers. Both concerns are at Dudley Hill. He is a director of the London Fireproof Plate Wall Co Ltd, chairman of the Bradford Fireproof Wall Co Ltd, and a director of Elmfield College, York.

Alderman Peel entered the City Council as a representative of the East Bowling Ward in 1897, in the Liberal interest. In 1900 he retained his seat. Again in 1903 he was successful. He was made an Alderman in 1904 and at bye election in 1907 he won a three cornered contest and was elevated to the Aldermance Bench. Three years (1900–1 – 2–3) he was deputy chairman of the Technical Instruction Committee he visited the chief centres on the continent and in America and made a study of the systems on behalf of the Technical Instruction(?) Committee. He was for five years on the Health Committee and then served on the Tramway and Gas and the Street Improvement and other committees. He was vice chairman of the Watch Committee and in his earlier life was a Band of Hope worker and a Rehabitite.

He was 13 years on the Watch Committee. He is the chairman of the Conditioning House Committee and has added to his laurels as a manager of municipal affairs in Bradford.

In religious matters he is a Primitive Methodist and has been connected to the Dudley Hill Chapel and Sunday School all his life and has held nearly every office. He holds a diploma from his denomination in token of having been a superintendent of the Sunday School for more than 20 years. Family for generations past have been Primitive Methodists.

Alderman Peel married in 1886, Martha, daughter of Mr James Walker of Dudley Hill and has issue 10 children: five sons and five daughters. A sound liberal in politics he is valued in the councils of the party in his ward in the Eastern Division and at Bank Street. He is also a loyal Oddfellow. He died in June 1919."
Creator
John Sowden
Image filename
sowden-337
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