1936-1937, William Morgan, Mayor of Leigh.

1936-1937, William Morgan, Mayor of Leigh.

William was born in Bradshawgate, Leigh in November 1875, he later moved with his parents to Henrietta Street. William attended the National Schools; his first employment was as an assistant to John Mather who was a Leigh rate collector. He later worked in a grocers but at the age of eighteen, feeling that he was not being challenged fully, he left to work for Ralph Eckersley Estate Agent who happened to be one of the first members of Leigh Town Council and this had an influence on William.

In 1896 he left Ralph to start his own business, first having premises in Leigh Road then opening another in Railway Road

In June 1901 he married the daughter of Jos Langford, Martha Langford, at St Paul's Church, Westleigh.

He was a staunch member of the Conservatives holding positions of Chair and President. William was also Vice- President and a Trustee of Bedford Conservative Club.

His initial attempts to gain a position on the Council were unsuccessful but he did have success in 1930 when he contested St Mary’s Ward with C. Holding and won by 200 votes. He remained there for sixteen years. In the same year he was appointed a Borough Magistrate.

For about nineteen years he was a member of the old Board of Guardians and was subsequently a member of the Public Assistance Committee and Chair of the Food Control Committee and on the Board of Finance in Manchester. During his time in office Mr. Morgan served on many important Committees including Housing but the height of his career came in 1936 when he was elected Mayor. He was also on the Governors of Leigh Girls Grammar School.

William was a prominent member of the Oddfellow Society having held the position of Provincial Grand Master, Secretary for about 40 years. He joined the Loyal Victoria Lodge on the 28 January 1899 and became Secretary in 1900, Lodge Secretary in 1915 and Lodge Treasurer in 1919. William played an important part in the increase of the order’s finances. In recognition of 30 years service he was presented with a bookcase and a writing bureau, but he could not attend the presentation due to a sudden attack of pleurisy and his son accepted on his behalf.

He was also a member of the Freemasons being a member of the Lodge of Valour.

All his life William had been a devout member of the Parish Church on the Church Council, Finance Committee and as a foundation manager of the Leigh C. E. Schools and Chair of the Old Leigh Grammar School.

In February 1954 on a visit to friends he had an unfortunate accident when he slipped and fell fracturing his skull, despite being treated at the Infirmary his condition deteriorated and he died. He was 75.

William had been married twice, his second wife died in October 1952. He had two daughters and three sons. One of the sons was Rev. W. Morgan, the Vicar of Turton.  Another son Eric has been in business with his father for seven years.

The funeral service took place at Leigh Parish Church and at St Paul’s Church, Westleigh. William was buried in St Paul’s Churchyard.

Written by Evelyn Walls

References

Biographical cuttings – William Morgan – Leigh Local Studies