1904-1909, Joseph Moore, Chairman Aspull Urban District Council

Joseph Moore.

Chairman of Aspull Urban District from 1904/05 to 1908/09

B 1845 in New Springs, Aspull

Parents: John and Mary Moore

m 1870 Elizabeth Green, daughter of Jonathan Green, Grocer

children: Two sons, eight daughters (one died in infancy)

d 1916 at Davenham Cheshire

Joseph Moore was the son of canal boat people and his earliest memory was of being carried on his mother’s back along the canal bank. He was educated at a Dame School in New Springs and later attended a night school in Whelley run by John Aspinall, where the boys had to take their own books and candles.

In common with many industrial families in the mid-nineteenth century Joseph was sent to work down the pit at age 10 years. However, he was keen to educate himself further and once he turned 21 attended night classes at Aspull New School.

In 1870 he married Elizabeth Green at St Catharine’s Church. Elizabeth’s father, Jonathan Green, was a grocer and perhaps this association led to Joseph establishing himself as a shopkeeper around 1893. His success in business enabled him to leave mining in 1897 and retire from business a few years later.

He became interested in politics and was first elected to Aspull Urban District Council in 1894 and in 1897 was appointed chairman of the School Attendance Committee. A post he held until his election as vice-chairman under William Hewlett.

On the retirement of William Hewlett in 1904 Joseph Moore was elected Chairman. A position he held until 1909 when he lost the position of chair in a contested election won by Henry Trotman.

He served as Overseer of the Poor from 1895 to 1913 and was a member of the Old Age Pensions sub-committee and the Education Committee (District 18)

In 1911 he had retired from business and moved to Appley Bridge, he visited his son in Canada and following his wife’s death in 1911 went to live with his daughter in Northwich, Cheshire, where he died in January 1916.

At a meeting of Aspull Urban District Council following his death Mr Lucas proposing a vote of sympathy said that “the association of Mr Moore with the Council had been of a very long duration, he was held in the highest esteem by all members. Mr Moore had always had at heart the good of the District of Aspull, and was a most conscientious worker”.

Both Joseph and Elizabeth are buried in an unmarked grave in St David’s Churchyard, Haigh near Wigan.

Sources:

Aspull Urban District Council minutes

Wigan Examiner 23 October 1907 p2cd (Photo)

Wigan Observer 22 January 1916 p5g