1903-1904 and 1910-1911, Henry Cowburn, Mayor of Leigh

Henry Cowburn was born in Westhoughton in 1841, his schooling started at the National School, School Street, Leigh and then onto Westleigh. 

On leaving school he started working in the collieries, namely Broadfield Colliery; he became manager in 1873 until it closed in 1881. 

From that he entered into a partnership with Mr William Unsworth and they ran Brookside Colliery, Westhoughton until his death in 1914.

When the Laburnum Spinning Company was formed he became one of the directors continuing until his death.

Henry was on the Improvements committee and was responsible for the restoration of Market Street. He also played a major role as chair on the influential Gas and Water committee.

He was elected Mayor of Leigh in 1904 and again in 1910, he was made a magistrate from 1903 but perhaps one of his greatest honours came in 1914 when Henry was made the first ever Freeman of the Leigh Municipal Borough. 

He was an Overseer of the Poor, a governor of the Grammar School, manager of the Savings Bank, a trustee of France’s Charity. In politics Henry was a Liberal and a generous supporter of St Paul’s Church, Westhoughton.

By Peter Spencer

Reference

Biographical cuttings - Henry Cowburn, Leigh Local Studies