John Lowe
Mayor of Wigan November 1927-1928
Born Wigan 4th September, 1868
Died 23rd July, 1948
Parents Virgil Lowe and Ann Gee
Wife Martha Emma Crawley
Married 3rd August, 1891 at St. Thomas Church, Wigan
Children Herbert, Arthur, Ernest, Annie and Florence
Elected to Wigan Council 1st November, 1913
John Lowe was born on 4th September, 1868 in Wigan. Conflicting information on Ancestry made it unclear where his baptism took place, both Wigan All Saints and St. Catherine’s are cited. Research has shown that his baptism took place on 21st September 1868 at Wigan All Saints. He was the son of a stonemason, Virgil Lowe. Cllr Lowe’s paternal grandparents Edward and Ann Lowe were shopkeepers and cow keepers in School Lane, Scholes. His maternal grandparents, Edward and Maria Gee were landlords of the Old Packet House, Wallgate.
Cllr Lowe attended St. Michael’s Day School, Wigan. At the age of 10, he started his own news agency with a paper round and selling the Liverpool Echo and Wigan papers on the streets of Wigan whilst still at school. His business flourished and he made 10 shillings a week (approximately £50 in 2017). After 2 years of being a newsagent, he started work at Messrs. Worswick in their bill posting department. Later as a teenager, Cllr Lowe went into the cotton mill, firstly at Messrs, Taylor Brothers in Wallgate then moving to the Western Mill of Eckersley’s Ltd, working there for 22 years.
Whilst working in the cotton industry, Cllr Lowe took an active interest in trade unionism. He was a trade union official, secretary to the Wigan and District Twist Makers-Up Society which amalgamated with the Card and Blowing Room Operatives’ Association (later known as the Textile Workers Association). Cllr Lowe was on their executive for 13 years, 7 years as President of the Wigan Branch of the Card and Blowing Room Operatives’ Association.
After leaving the cotton industry, Cllr Lowe became an agent with the Royal Co-Operative Insurance Collecting Society of London. He had been a part of the co-operative movement, having served for 6 years on the Education Committee of the Wigan and District Co-Operative Society, chairman for 3 years and for 2 years a member of the Board of Management of the Society.
Cllr Lowe took a leading role in the early Labour movement in Wigan. He had an active part in the foundation of the Wigan Branches of the old Social and Democratic Federation and Independent Labour Party. He was one of the 6 original founders of the Wigan and District Trades Council in 1888 (the early Labour Party). In 1913, Cllr Lowe was also one of the founder members of the Newtown Labour club, serving on the executive and holding the office of President for 4 years. The closure of Newton Labour Club was announced in the Wigan Observer, 6th June, 2017.
Cllr Lowe was elected to the Council on 1st November 1913 as the Labour representative for the Pemberton Ward. He served in this capacity for 35 years until his death in 1948 aged 79.
Cllr Lowe was elected Alderman on 9th November 1926 and appointed a Magistrate in 1929.
His council work was varied and he sat on several important committees
Cllr Lowe married Martha Emma Crawley on 3rd August, 1891 at St. Thomas Church, Wigan. They went on to have 5 children, Herbert, Arthur, Ernest, Annie and Florence. The 3 boys all served in World War 1 and returned home safely. The family lived at 15 Alker Street, Newtown, Wigan. Cllr Lowe was a keen bowler and supporter of Wigan Rugby League Club.
Cllr Lowe on being elected Mayor of Wigan was granted 12 months holiday from the Royal Co-Operative Society to cover his mayoralty with pay. The Wigan Observer of 22nd November 1927 notes that the post of Mayor has a salary of £250 per year.
Cllr Lowe wrote two very moving war poems, “Thoughts on War” in 1939 and “Nemesis” in 1940, both available for reading at Wigan Local Studies, Biographical Cuttings Book 5 pages 193 and 208.
Cllr Lowe died on 23rd July 1948 after giving 35 years of service to Wigan Council. His obituary is in the Wigan Observer of 31st July 1948 and the funeral took place at Wigan Parish Church and was attended by many local dignitaries. His body was cremated at Anfield Crematorium (records show that Wigan Crematorium opened in 1955). His wife Martha Lowe had died 12 years previously.
Cllr Lowe and his family lived at several addresses. His baptism registration shows the family living at 1 Milk Street, Wigan, whereas the 1871 census has the family living in Ardwick, Manchester. Later census 1881 and 1891 gives 2 addresses in Lord Street, Wigan, firstly at number 26 then number 34. The 1911 census has the married John Lowe and family living at 15 Alker Street, Newtown, Wigan which is the address shown for Cllr Lowe when he was a member of the Council.
SOURCES
Ancestry
WE 15.10.1927 BK2 P44
WE 5.11.1927 BK2 P49
WO 5.11.1927 P11cdef
WO 22.11.1927 P2c
WO 27.4.1929 BK2 P192
WO 4.11.1939 BK5 P193
WO 13.1.1940 BK5 P208
WO 31.7.1948 P7c