1898-1899, 1899-1900, Joseph Thomas Gee, Mayor of Wigan

Joseph Thomas Gee

Mayor of Wigan 1898/99 & 1899/1900

By Peter Walker

Joseph Thomas Gee was born in 1863 son of John & Ellen Gee, a provision dealer in Scholes, Wigan. John Gee was an Alderman on Wigan Town Council. Educated at St Catharine’s School, Scholes, and Wigan Grammar School he assisted his father in the grocery business before becoming interested in the Cotton Industry. In 1904 he became chairman of May Mill Spinning Company, Pemberton.

In 1885 he married Martha, daughter of William Guy, a brewery manager, at St Catharine’s Church in Scholes. They had a daughter and two sons.

He was especially interested in education. In 1904 he became a member of the Governing Body of the Wigan & District Mining & Technical College and served as College chairman from 1909 to 1938. He also served as Chairman of Wigan Education Committee, vice-chairman of the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes and represented the College at Liverpool University and on the Lancashire Education Committee.

He became a magistrate in 1898 and served as chairman of Wigan Saving Bank, President of the Wigan & District Permanent Benefit Building Society, was a member of the Wigan Infirmary Management Board, Wigan Grammar School Board of Governors, President of Wigan Operatic Society and of Wigan Horticultural Society.  A prominent member of St Catharine’s Church, Scholes, he had served as Sunday School Superintendent, Vicar’s Warden and People’s Warden. A playing member of Wigan Cricket Club in his younger days he had kept wicket for the club during his time as Mayor.

He was first elected to represent St Catharine’s Ward on Wigan County Borough Council in 1892 for the Conservatives and for many years was leader of that party. He served as deputy mayor in 1894, 1896 and 1897 before being elected mayor in 1898 and again in 1899. In 1902 he was elected Alderman and served on the Council until 1910 when he resigned in order to focus his attention on his business and other important works.

He retired to Southport where his wife, Martha, died in 1944, Joseph died in 1950.

Sources:

WO 29 April 1959 p7d – Obituary

WE  28 April 1950 p3f – Obituary

WE 15 July 1944 p7a – Obituary of Mrs M Gee

WO 26 Jan 1935 - Presentation to Wigan Magistrate