Edgar Oates was born 16 December, 1886, in Bradford to Edmund Oates and Elizabeth Woodward.

In 1911 and 1921 Edgar was a cloth scourer living with his family at 18 Park Street, Shipley. In 1921 he was working at Saltaire Mills.

Edgar married Lily Eling in 1925 in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. Lily was born 19 October, 1894, in Sheffield. They had no children. In the 1939 Register they were living at 46 Aireview Avenue, Bingley, with Edgar working as a cloth scourer, and Lily as a textile clerk.

It is unclear as to when Edgar died. Lily died in 1894 in Sheffield.

 

Edmund Oates was born in 1859 in Huddersfield to George William Oates and Ruth Lumb. They lived in Huddersfield with George working as a commercial traveller.

In 1871 Edmund was an errand boy, in 1881 he was a wool dyer.

Edmund married Elizabeth Woodward in 1884 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Elizabeth was born in 1862 in Worksop. They had eight children – Ruth born 1885, Edgar 1886, Edna 1889, Clement 1892, William Henry 1894, George William 1896, Emily 1899, and Milford 1905.

In 1891 they were living at 1 Ryecroft Street, Idle, with Edmund working as a cloth finisher and Elizabeth a grocer. By 1911 they were at 18 Park Street, Shipley. Edmund died suddenly 17 July, 1914.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 24 July: -

WORKMAN’S SUDDEN DEATH

At the Manor House on Monday (20 July), the District Coroner (Mr. E. H. Hill) held an inquest respecting the death of Edmund Oates, a cloth finisher who had been employed at Saltaire Mills, and who died suddenly on Friday night (17 July).

The widow, Elizabeth Oates, of 18 Park Street, said her husband’s health had been very good. He was working all day on Friday, returning home shortly after half-past six o’clock. Later in the evening, he complained of cramp in his back and went to lie on the bed. Getting up soon afterwards, he walked as far as the bedroom door and then fell, death taking place almost immediately.

Dr. Thornton, who had made a post-mortem examination, expressed the opinion that death was due to heart failure, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Widow Elizabeth lived at 32 Caroline Street, Saltaire from 1928 to 1934, then at 4 Ada Street, Saltaire, until around 1945. It is unclear as to when she died.

 

George William Oates was born 5 July, 1896, in Shipley to Edmund Oates and Elizabeth Woodward. In 1911 they were living at 18 Park Street, Shipley.

George was a worsted spinner dobber, his father was a cloth finisher.

George served in WW1 with the Royal Field Artillery. Having survived the war, George worked as a wool sorter at Saltaire Mills. In the 1921 Census he was visiting, with his future wife Doris Goldsbrough, the Moorhead family (relations of Doris) in Halstead, Essex. Doris, a grocer’s assistant, and George were married 23 July, 1924, at St. Pauls, Shipley.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 25 July: -

The wedding took place at Shipley Church on Wednesday (23 July) between Mr. George William Oates, third son of the late Mr. Edmund and Mrs. Oates, 18 Park Street, Shipley, and Miss Doris Goldsbrough, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Goldsbrough, of 45 Titus Street, Saltaire. Rev. F. Sowerby (curate) conducted the ceremony.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white satin and lace, trimmed with orange blossom. Miss Gertie Goldsbrough and Miss Grace Dewhirst, sister and cousin of the bride, and Miss Emily Stobbs, and Miss M. Cole, nieces of the bridegroom were the bridesmaids.

Mr. Edgar Oates, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. The groomsmen were Mr. Milford Oates and Mr. Harry Skirrow, brother and cousin of the bridegroom.

After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Victoria Hall, Saltaire, with about a hundred guests were present. Subsequently, Mr. and Mrs. George Oates left for the West Coast.

Doris was born in 1898 in Leeds. They had a daughter, Dorothy, born in 1928.

By 1932 they were living at 27 Salisbury Street, Shipley. By 1938 they had moved to 3 Strathallan Drive Baildon. By 1950 they were at 47 Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon. They would spend the rest of their lives here.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 20 July 1955: -

The marriage took place at Baildon Parish Church on Saturday (16 July), of Miss Dorothy Oates, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Oates, of 47 Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon, and Mr. Victor Smith, only son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Smith, of 10 Lilac Grove, Shipley.

Miss Oates, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white brocade, with a headdress of white diamante and tulle. Her bouquet was of Harrisii lilies, lilies of the valley, and white carnations. She was attended by her friends, Mrs. W. Cunliffe and Miss Sylvia Cooke, in dresses of peach bloom tulle over taffeta with yellow floral headdresses. They carried bouquets of gladioli and sweet peas.

Mr. George Perrott was best man, and the groomsmen were Mr. W. Cunliffe and Mr. E. Oldfield.

After a reception at Baildon Café, Mr. and Mrs. Smith left for their honeymoon at Newquay, the bride wearing a blue grosgrain dress and coat, with blue accessories. They are making their home at 57 Temple Rhydding Drive.

In September 1956, George was given planning permission to build a garage at their home.

George died in 1976. Doris died 10 January, 1983.

 

Milford Oates was born 24 May, 1904, in Shipley to Edmund Oates and Elizabeth Woodward. Milford the the youngest of their eight children. In 1911 they were living at 18 Park Street, Shipley, with Edmund working as a cloth finisher.

In the 1921 Census, Milford was living at The Camp, New Layfield Farm, Baildon Green. He was working as a piece carrier at Saltaire Mills.

Milford married Mary Edna Garnett, 27 June, 1929, at Christ Church, Windhill. Mary was born in 1900 in Idle. They had a daughter, Brenda, born in 1931.

In the 1939 Register, Milford was working as an optical instrument repairer. He was living with his wife and daughter at 4 Hope View, Carr Lane, Windhill, his wife’s family home. They would spend the rest of their lives here.

Milford died in 1978. Mary died 8 January 1979.

 

O'Donnell, Gordon - Mill Worker / WW1 Roll of Honour

 

O'Donnell, Harold - Mill Worker / WW1 Roll of Honour

 

 James O’Donnell was the son of Michael O’Donnell. Michael was born 1853 in Bradford. He married Hannah Maria Eggleton in 1873.

James, one of nine children, was born c1878 in Shipley. James brother, Herbert, served in the Second Boer War (11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902) and was killed in action in South Africa. James's brother, John, also serving in South Africa and died of malarial fever in India, and two other brothers, Harold and Gordon, served in and survived World War One.

In 1881 the family were living at 2 Albert Terrace in Saltaire with Michael working as a grease extractor at Saltaire Mills. By 1891 they had moved to 32 George Street in Saltaire with James working as a warp slayer at Saltaire Mills. By 1901 they were living at 45 George Street, with James working as a tailor.

It is unclear what happened to James after this.

 

Michael O’Donnell was born c1853 in Bradford to James O’Donnell & Jane Kelly.

In 1871 they were living in Horton, with Michael working as a weft carrier and his father a wool washer. Michael married Hannah Maria Eggleton, 28 June 1873, at the Old St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Bradford. Hannah was born c1856 in Norfolk. They had nine children, with three dying in infancy.

The six surviving children were: -

John Thomas, born 1876; James, c1878; Herbert, 1880; Harold, 1884; Ethel, 1886; and Gordon, 1894.

In 1881 they were living at 2 Albert Terrace in Saltaire with Michael working as a grease extractor working at Saltaire Mills. By 1891 they had moved to 32 George Street in Saltaire. By 1901 they were living at 45 George Street, where they remained until 1920. From 1921 they lived at 56 Victoria Road, Saltaire. In 1921 Michael was a lavatory attendant working at F Wigglesworth Engineering & Clutch Works, Hirst Wood, Shipley.

Report in the Shipley Times 29 June 1923: -

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Donnell. 56 Victoria Road, Saltaire, was celebrated on Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. O’Donnell were married the Old St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Bradford, on 28 June 1873.

For 30 years, Mr. O’Donnell was employed at Saltaire Mills but retired about 19 years ago in consequence of ill-health. He has been a Druid for 48 years, and is a P.P.G.M. of the Bradford District, while at present he is a member of the Shipley branch of the Ancient Order of Druids.

For several years Mr. O’Donnell was identified with the Shipley and District Trades and Friendly Society’s Hospital Gala.

Mrs. O’Donnell has been member of the congregation of St. Peter’s Church, Shipley, for about 30 years. During the Great War she made no fewer than 500 shirts for the soldiers.

Their eldest son was killed in the South African war, and another son, who also served in the South African campaign, died later from malarial fever whilst in India.

Mr. and Mrs. O’Donnell have had nine children, five of whom survive (four sons and one daughter; the latter is living in America). They have ten grandchildren, three of whom are in America. Mr. O’Donnell, who is a native of Bradford, is 70 years of age. His wife, who is 69, is a native of Wymondham, near Norwich. It is her proud boast that all her children commenced work at Saltaire Mills. Mrs. O’Donnell has lived in Saltaire for 52 years.

Michael died in 1931. Hannah died in 1932.

 

Edward Ogden was the son of William Henry Ogden. William was born 1866 in Heaton, Bradford. He married Catherine Davis, 12 July 1903, at St Paul’s Shipley. William was working as a mill hand and living at 4 Amelia Street, Saltaire.

Edward, who had a younger brother, was born in Saltaire, 10 May 1903. The family continued to live at 4 Amelia Street.

In 1921 Edward was a warp sider at Saltaire Mills. In the 1939 Register, unmarried Edward was a warping overlooker living at 4 Amelia Street, with his brother Henry and his wife.

It is unclear what happened to Edward after this.

 

Eva Gilson was born 16 November 1900 in Castleford. Her parents were Ellen Hopkins & Benjamin Gilson.

In 1911 Eva was living in Tanshelf, Pontefract, with her uncle and aunt, William James & Dinah Burge. William died in 1915. In 1921 Eva was living with her aunt, Dinah Burge, at 15 Caroline Street, Saltaire. She was a spinner working at Saltaire Mills.

Eva married Harold Ogden in 1922. Harold was born, 1 June 1901, in Saltaire. They had a daughter, Irene, born 12 October 1924. From 1922 to 1927 they lived at 7 Caroline Street, Saltaire with Eva’s aunt, Dinah Burge.

In the 1939 Register they were at 28 Constance Street, Saltaire. Harold was a lift attendant at a textile works, Eva was a weaver, and Irene was a boot & shoe shop assistant.

Harold served in WW2. In 1945 his family were living at 37 Dove Street, Saltaire. From around 1949 to after 1960 they were at 24 Oakfield Drive, Baildon. Harold died in 1981. Eva died in 1991.

 

Ogden, Harold - Mill Worker / WW2 Roll of Honour

 

Henry Ogden was the son of William Henry Ogden. William was born 1866 in Heaton, Bradford. He married Catherine Davis 12 July 1903 at St Paul’s Shipley. William was working as a mill hand and living at 4 Amelia Street, Saltaire when he married Catherine Davis.

Henry, who had an older brother, was born in Saltaire, 16 December 1905. The family continued to live at 4 Amelia Street. Henry attended the Saltaire Congregational School, winning a prize in January 1916.

Report from the Shipley Times 26 September 1919: -

“Asked for a Thrashing” – Caught in a Magistrates Orchard

At the Bradford West Riding Children’s Court (yesterday) John Beck Simpson (13), 34 George Street; Robert Haggerty (13), 2 Ada Street; and Henry Ogden, 4 Amelia Street, were summoned by Mr J A Burton of Glenholme, Shipley, for having damaged his fruit trees and attempted to steal 12 apples valued at 1s. Haggerty and Ogden pleaded guilty, but Simpson did not appear, his father having sent him to work.

Mr Burton said that on the night of the 15th about 10 o’clock, he found the boys running about in his orchard. He caught Simpson and Haggerty, but Ogden got away. He took the two boys into his house, where they implored him to give them a good thrashing and send them away. He told them that he should deal with them otherwise. They gave him their names and volunteered the name of the boy who got away. Simpson told him he was earning 27s 6d a week and Haggerty said his wages were 28s 7d.

Next morning witness found a considerable number of apples on the ground. The branches of one of the best trees in his garden had been damaged. He had not given the boys a chance because he wanted the Bench to deal with them and make an example of them to other boys slackly dealt with at home.

Each of the defendants were fined.

In 1921 Henry was a twisting doffer at Saltaire Mills.

Report from the Shipley Times 2 March 1923: -

BROKE INTO SWEET SHOP.

At the Bradford West Riding Police Court on Monday (26 February) Louis Sheldon (16), painter's apprentice, and Henry Ogden (17) millhand, both of Shipley, were charged with stealing four boxes of sweets, valued 19s. 2d.

It was stated that Messrs. J. W. A. Seaton have a portable sweet shop which they use in the Shipley Market Place on Saturday nights During the week it is placed in a yard in Stead street. On Sunday night, when two police officers were doing their rounds, they found that the door had been smashed open with a big iron bar, and on entering discovered Sheldon and Ogden with box of chocolate Easter eggs, a box of “all-sorts,” a box of crystalised gum and a box of Christmas fathers ready for removal.

Sheldon had been previously convicted for shop-breaking, and there was a minor conviction against Ogden.

Supt. Oliver said both boys were good workers and had good homes. They appeared have got into the company of boys who were leading them wrong.

They were each fined 40s., the Chairman (Mr. J. G. Mowat) instructing the parents to deduct it from their pocket-money.

In May 1923, Henry was one of eight youths fined 5s for playing football on the highway in Prod Lane, Baildon.

Report in the Shipley Times 25 May 1923 referring to the Otley Police Court: -

SALTAIRE YOUTHS FINED

Eight Saltaire youths were summoned for playing football on the highway in Prod Lane, Baildon, 29 April. The defendants were: - Arthur Lavelle (17), John Harrison (16), Leonard Hudson (18), millhands; Leavens Park (17), George Bacon (18), labourers; John Hudson (14), doffer ; Henry Ogden (17), jobber; and Harry Hainsworth (16), clerk. All pleaded guilty.
Police Constable Feanside said that when he told defendants they would be reported, they replied: “Well, give us the ball back.”
The Chairman: Did you give them it back: —No, sir.
Superintendent Oldroyd said that the offence was a very common practice with these youths from Shipley every Sunday afternoon. Another batch had been reported. There were complaints of people being struck with the ball and having their clothes damaged. There was plenty of room Baildon Green if the youths wanted to play football.
Defendants were each fined 5s.

Report in the Shipley Times 25 January 1924: -

OBSTRUCTING THE FOOTPATH

At Bradford West Riding Police Court on Thursday (17 January), Leavens Park (labourer), Louis Sheldon (labourer), John Casey (woolcomber), Henry Ogden (jobber) and George Herbert Hirst (dyer), all of Shipley, were summoned for obstructing the footpath in Caroline Street, Saltaire, on the evening of 4 January.

Park, Casey and Ogden, who appeared, were each fined 5s., the other two being fined 10s. each.

Henry married Evelyn Smith in 1930. They had no children. In the 1939 Register they were living at 4 Amelia Street, with Henry working as a wool warehouseman and he was a volunteer A.R.P. warden. They had living with them Henry’s brother, Edward.

Henry and Evelyn divorced. Following their divorce, Evelyn married Arthur Seed in 1946. Henry continued to live at 4 Amelia Street until 1948. From 1951 to 1958 he lived at 73 Albert Road, Saltaire. Henry died 19 October 1990 in Leeds.

 

William Henry Ogden was born in 1866 in Heaton, Bradford to Jasper Ogden & Rachael Watkins.

In 1881 they were living in Manningham, with William working as a box minder and his father as a quarryman. Jasper died 1 st qtr. 1891.

In the 1891 census William was a plush finisher living with his mother and siblings in Manningham. By 1901 they had moved to 4 Amelia Street in Saltaire. The family would live here until 1948.

In 1901 William was a yarn skep weigher. He married Catherine Davis, 12 July 1903, at St Paul’s Shipley. She was born in 1873 in Manningham. They had two sons – Edward, born 10 November 1903 and Henry, born 12 August 1905. Catherine died in 1913.

In 1921 William and his two sons were working at Saltaire Mills. William was a yarn stockkeeper, Edward a warp sider and Henry a twisting doffer. William’s mother, Rachael, was living with them.

William died in 1927.

 

Thomas William Olsen was born 8 September 1892 in Norway, to parents unknown. He lived with his grandparents, William & Susannah Shackleton. In 1901 they were living at 7 Whitlam St, Saltaire; by 1911 they had moved to 18 Dover St in Shipley.

Thomas worked as a cloth finisher in Saltaire Mills. Thomas emigrated to America. He lived in Massachusetts after arriving arrived in New York 4 November 1912 aboard the “Cymric,” having sailed from Liverpool.

 

Thomas Owen was the son of Robert Owen. Robert was born c1810 in Bolton, Lancashire. He married Mary Blackburn, 6 May 1832, at St Peter’s, Bolton-Le-Moors.

Thomas was born in 1843 in Bolton. In 1851 the family were living in Bolton with Robert working as an iron turner. In 1861 Robert was a shopkeeper & beer seller, whilst Thomas was an engineer in a foundry.

Widower Thomas married Mary Ann Jenkins, 5 January 1891, at Holy Trinity, Bolton-Le-Moors. They had two daughters – Mary Elizabeth, born 13 April 1894 in Bolton, and Emily, born 1 December 1898 in Saltaire. By 1897 they were living at 27 (renumbered 53) Albert Road in Saltaire.

In February 1901, Thomas, as head engineer at Saltaire Mills, gave evidence at an inquiry into an explosion at the Mill that killed a man.

By 1902 Thomas and his family had left Saltaire; it is unclear what happened to them.