1905-1906 and 1909-1910, William James Smith, Mayor of Leigh

1905-1906, William James Smith, Mayor of Leigh

William James Smith was the eldest son of the late Mr. T. Smith who used to reside at Kirk Hall, Abbey Street, Leigh and after at Skiddaw Lodge, Keswick. At only a few months old he was brought from Prestolee near Bolton to Leigh.

On starting work he worked at the Brookside Mill which his father started in 1867.

William was one of the town’s most distinguished citizens, he was elected a member of Leigh Urban District Council in November 1897. When the Leigh Town Council was formed two years later he was elected member for the St. Mary’s Ward, he was elected one of the first eight aldermen & continued in office until January 1931 when he retired due to ill health and was made the “father” of the council.

He was twice Mayor of the borough, first in 1905 and again in 1909.

William always had a keen interest in education being the Council’s representative on the court of the University of Liverpool from 1905 to 1930 and was deeply interested in the two Leigh Grammar Schools.

In 1906 when the Leigh Infirmary was opened he had the honour of performing the opening ceremony and was for many years chairman of the governors and was responsible for raising £22,000 to cover cost of extensions and the building of a nurse’s home. Not only did he give of his own wealth to the institution but he also had a great interest in the comfort of the patients and staff. William became the first patron of Leigh Infirmary.

In politics William was a Liberal and one time chair of the Leigh Liberal Club building committee being elected Chairman of the Church Street Club.

A devout churchman at Bedford St. Thomas Church worshiping regularly until his illness, donating a brass lectern, carved oak pulpit, side screens and a clock for the tower.

In his youth being into sport he joined Leigh Cricket Club, becoming President for sixty years and for several years he was president of the Leigh Bowling Club and member of the Literary Society from its foundation in 1878, He was one of the first borough magistrates appointed in 1903 and four years later joined the County Bench, being made a member of the Licensing Committee.

He was one of the first directors of Sutcliffe, Speakman & Co. and of Leigh Spinners Ltd. He was well known on the Manchester Cotton Exchange and was a member for over 50 years.

He was made third Honorary Freeman of the Borough on the 9 October 1929.

In 1878 William married Jessie Hall at Leigh St Mary’s Church. Jessie was the daughter of Joseph Hall of Bradshawgate, Leigh,

William died in 1932 leaving a son and three daughters, he was a widow at the time as Jessie had died several years before.

A Service was held in Bedford Church with a guard of honour consisting of the nursing staff from Leigh Infirmary and staff from Brookside and Welch Mills. They lined the path to the church and the coffin was carried into church by six Police Constables, later the coffin was laid to rest in the family grave at Leigh Cemetery.

References

Biographical cuttings – Harry Speakman, available at Leigh Local Studies.