DANIEL DIX, J.P.
Mayor of Wigan 1894 – 1895
b 26 June 1838 at Millgate, Wigan
Parents: William and Esther Dix
m Mary Ann Worthington 11 November 1864 (Widowed)
children: William (1866); Daniel (1868)
m Jane Molineux 2 November 1892 (Widowed)
m Mary Maud Robinson 22 July 1903
d 13 March 1913, School Lane, Wigan, age 74
Daniel Dix was born on Coronation day 1838, and at the age of fourteen years, owing to the death of his parents, he had to begin the battle of life for himself, along with his brother James. He worked in the iron trade becoming a general dealer and broker, in which he built up a wide and valuable connection.
He was a Justice of the Peace for the Borough of Wigan. He owned considerable property in the neighbourhood of Scholes where he lived; his influence was beneficial and effective for the good of the community. He enjoyed bowling and bell ringing where he took part in many public performances.
He entered the Wigan town Council in 1887, being elected for the old ward of Scholes. He retired but was re-elected in November 1891. In 1894 he was elected as Mayor of Wigan. During his mayoralty he presented the freedom of the Borough to Sir Francis Sharp Powell, Bart M.P. he took a strong interest in Freemasonry and was a member of ‘Antiquity Lodge’. Education also interested him and he was a governor of the Wigan Grammar School.
Mr Dix was an arbitrator of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners Association, a position he held for about eleven years. During his mayoralty he served on several arbitrations and trade disputes. He had long experience of public work, both in the Council and as an active member of the Board of Guardians, of which he was chairman. Part of his public work was in the direction of poor law administration and he was a prominent member of the Low Church party. He was a conservative and a churchman; was warden of St George’s Church, Wigan for two years and was a Manager of St George’s (church) Schools.
He had two sons from his first marriage; William and Daniel, sadly his first wife and also his second wife died leaving him as a widower twice. Prior to his death Mr Dix was seriously ill for several months; he died at his home on School Lane, Wigan.
Sources: Wigan Observer; Wigan Gazette; Ancestry
Julie Dickens staff volunteer
12th May, 2016