1907-1908, George Hunter, Mayor of Leigh

1907-1908, George Hunter, Mayor of Leigh.

Mr George Hunter JP was born on the 31 March 1858 in Leigh, his parents being well known silk manufacturers from Westhoughton.

He received his early education at Bedford Church School.

He married a Miss Stirrip, a niece of Mr Thomas Stone who was choirmaster of Bedford Wesleyans and they had two children, a son and a daughter.

He was an enthusiastic follower of cricket and in his younger days played for Bedford Wesleyan Cricket Club.

About 1878 he joined the Westleigh Wesleyans and became a preacher and his geniality, humour and common sense delighted many churches and it is stated that he was in great demand all over the country and that there was only Rutland and Buckinghamshire counties where he did not preach.

He supported in the formation of Churches at Bright Street, Tyldesley and Mill Street, Leigh and for 30 years preached two sermons each Sunday and delivered over four thousand sermons.

1n 1896 he established a brush making business which later included skip manufacturing. He was reputed to be the first in Leigh to introduce a motor car in the conduct of his business. 

He was elected as the representative for St Mary’s Ward in 1902 and after ten years as a councillor he was promoted to the aldermanic bench. During his service on the council Mr Hunter was a member of the Library, Highways, Finance, Gas and Water, Electricity and Education Committees. He gained a reputation as the most regular attender on the Council. 

He became the first nonconformist Mayor in 1907 and after the Maypole Colliery disaster he opened a subscription list and was responsible for raising a large sum of money for the relative of victims.

Before and during the building of Leigh Town Hall he served as vice chairman of the Town Hall Committee. He retired from the council after 19 years. 

He died on the 12 July 1932 and at the Leigh Borough Police Court Thomas Robert Dootson described him as one of the finest and fairest magistrates who ever sat on the Borough Bench.

Written by Peter Spencer. 

References

Biographical cuttings – George Hunter