1915-1916, Alex Simm Hilton, Mayor of Wigan

ALEXANDER SIM HILTON

MAYOR OF WIGAN 1915 to 1916

Born: Wigan 1 January 1860

Died: 12 October 1932

Parents: Alderman James Hilton and Jane Simm

Married: 8 March 1859 at St. Catharine’s Church, Wigan

Wife: Edith Clark

Married: 21 September 1904

Children: Donald Alexander, Edmund Frederick, Constance Mary

Elected to Wigan Council: 1901

Elected Mayor: 1915

Appointed Justice of the Peace: 1909

Appointed Alderman: 1910

Alexander Sim Hilton was born in Wigan on the 1 January 1860 although his baptism record at St. Catharine’s Church, Wigan on the 8 March 1860 shows his name as Alexander Simon Hilton. His father was James Hilton and his mother was Jane Simm. The 1861 to 1891 census have the family living at 68 Scholes, Wigan. He had one brother James and two sisters Jane and Ann. The census also show that the family employed a servant, one being Margaret Littler who was 13 years of age. James Hilton was also actively involved in local politics and was elected to Wigan Council as member for Scholes in 1877 and served that ward until 1908, he was appointed an Alderman of the Borough.

Ald. A S Hilton was educated at Mr. French’s School, Millgate and then at the Old Grammar School in Rodney Street. He was a keen road racer and won many cups and prizes, his most notable achievement was in winning the race for the captaincy of the Wigan Bicycling Club in 1877, the race being from Bamber Bridge to the Infirmary. Ald A S Hilton was also an accomplished billiards player and a pioneer of the sport of Homing pigeons in Wigan. His homing pigeons took part in the National Flying Club races from Bordeaux to Wigan, 600 miles.

Ald. A S Hilton was elected to Wigan Council as the Conservative representative of St. George ward in 1901. He and his father served on the Council together from 1901 to 1908, their combined years of service being 52. Both father and son were members of the Old Wigan Board of Guardians. He was first elected to the Board in 1898 and held this position for 27 years for St. George's ward, succeeding his father who had represented Scholes on the Board. Ald. A S Hilton had a long association with the Poor Law administration especially the Institution in Frog Lane where he was a frequent visitor. On election to the Wigan Town Council, he decided to resign as a member of the Board of Guardians and the Board brought pressure on him to remain a member even persuading a suitable candidate to refrain from offering his services as a candidate in order to keep Ald. A S Hilton on the Board. During his association with the Poor Law, many changes took place. The Union Infirmary was built at Billinge which was considered to be one of the best built and best equipped institutions of its kind in the country. Ald. A S Hilton was a strong advocate of allowing elderly couples who found it necessary to enter the Poor House being allowed to live together in the institution. For many years he was a member of the Union Assessment Committee.

As a Councillor, Ald. A S Hilton was associated with invaluable service on many important committees

1. Chairman of the Baths Committee for over 20 years, member for over 32 years,
2. Member of the Education Committee
3. Member of the Licensing Committee
4. Corporation Representative on the Whitley Council
5. Corporation Representative on the Asylum’s Board for 20 years
6. Present on the Management Committee of 3 Lancashire County Mental Hospitals, Rainhill, Winwick and Lancaster
7. Senior Overseer for the Borough
8. Governor of Wigan Grammar School.

Ald. A S Hilton was elected Mayor in 1915, a war mayor. During his year of Office he established work-shops for the blind. The improvement and enlargement of the Corporation Baths came about through his persistence and enterprise. The Wigan Observer of 16 November 1915, page 2 column d, has an interesting and detailed article about Mayor Hilton’s state visit to the Parish Church. During his mayoralty he also raised nearly £3000 for the Outpatients Department of the Wigan Infirmary. He was Vice President of the Infirmary.

Ald. A S Hilton married Edith Clark on the 21 September 1904 at St. Catharine’s Church. The couple had 3 children Donald Alexander, Edmund Frederick and Constance Mary. The church records show that the family lived at 35 Vine Street. He was closely connected to St. Catharine’s, being a church warden for 10 years and from 1909 to 1911 he filled the role of Vicar’s Warden.

Ald. A S Hilton was a businessman, his main interest being that of estate agent. He had a long affiliation with the Conservative Party, being a member of Wigan Conservative Club for 50 years. Cllr. Hilton was appointed an Alderman in 1910 and a Justice of the Peace in 1909. His service to Wigan Town was considerable as a JP, member of the Town Council and Board of Guardians, he had a total combined record of 74 years of service.

Ald. A S Hilton died at home, “The Poplars” Gathurst on the 12 October 1932. His funeral took place at St. Catharine’s Church and he was buried at Wigan Cemetery.

SOURCES

ANCESTRY.COM

Wigan Examiner 15.12.1906 P9E&F

Wigan Observer 11.9.1915 P2B&C&D

Wigan Observer 9.11.1915 P3A&B

Wigan Observer 16.11.1915 P4D

Wigan Observer 12.12.1916 P4C&D

WIGAN BIOGRAPHIES BOOK 1 P162

Wigan Observer 11.4.1925 P9 C&D

Wigan Examiner 12.11.1927

LOCAL CELEBRITIES BOOK 2 P52

Wigan Observer 15.11.1932 BOOK 3 P156/157

Christine Carthy