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Image: Saltaire postcard. Date unknown.
Additional Biographies of people who lived or worked in Saltaire
Researched by Colin Coates

Saltaire People: surnames beginning with:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

 
Ransley, Ethel (nee Alderson)
28 July 1899 – 1961

 Ethel Alderson was born, 28 July 1899, in Barnsley. She was the eldest child of Lucy Oates and Herbert Alderson. Ethel was baptised, 29 October 1899, at St. John the Baptist, Barnsley.

In 1911 Herbert was a coal miner living with his family in Barnsley. Around 1920 they moved to 13 Constance Street in Saltaire. In the 1921 Census both Ethel and her father were working for Scotts Motor Cycle Co., in Hirst Wood, Shipley. Ethel was an office cleaner, her father a gateman.

Ethel married Sidney Ransley, 15 March 1930, at St. Peter’s, Shipley. Sidney, born in 1901 in Baildon, was a dyer’s labourer living at 7 Helen Street, Saltaire. They had a daughter, June, born in 1933, and a son, Frank, born in 1937. From around 1935 they lived at 11 Highbank Cottages, Shipley.

In the 1939 Register, Ethel was a patient in the Clayton Institution. She remained there until after 1945.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 30 December 1942: -

MAINTENANCE ARREARS

“Serious View,” Taken By Authorities

Five people were summoned for maintenance arrears and in two cases sentences of imprisonment were imposed. Mr. Denis Copley, a relieving officer of the West Riding County Council, said the authorities took a serious view of these cases of non-payment of maintenance.

Sidney Ransley of Highbank Cottages, Shipley, was summoned on an order to maintain his wife. He appeared and admitted the arrears.

Mr. Copley said the arrears amounted to £9 15s., and an order had already been made for the payment of this money and Ransley had paid some of it. He then stopped paying for for a short time, and when interviewed said he had had other debts to pay and would keep up the payments in future.

Mr, Copley added that the case had only been brought to draw Ransley’s attention to the fact that there were still some arrears to pay off.

Defendant had nothing to say.

The magistrates made an order for payment.

Ethel died, 5 February 1961, in the district of Bradford. She was buried/cremated in the Alderson family grave in Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley.

(Note – Ethel’s sister, Margaret, married John’s brother, Alan Ransley)

 

Rawnsley, Mary (nee Pawson)
15 April 1859 - 15 February 1940

Mary Pawson was the daughter of John Pawson. John was born c1832 in Guiseley. He married Ann Whitaker in April 1858 at St. Mary’s, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Mary was born, 15 April 1859, in Burley. She was baptised at St. Mary’s, Burley. In 1861 the family were living in Burley with John working as a hand weaver. In 1871 they were living in Guiseley with John working as a weaver. Mary had a daughter, Sarah Ellen, born 24 March 1878. The father is unknown.

Mary married William Rawnsley in 1880 in Wharfedale. They had three children. In 1891 they were living in Manningham, with William working as an engineman. By 1901 they were living in Otley Road, Shipley, with William working as a stoker and engine tenter.

William died 18 December 1904 at 9 Otley Road. In his will he left Mary £247 15s 6d.

In 1911 widow Mary was living with her children at 27 Shirley Street, Saltaire. The head of house was John Ernest Spencer, a carpenter, who had married Mary’s daughter, Sarah Ellen, in 1908.

Mary died 15 February 1940 at 27 Shirley Street.

 

Rawnsley, Moses
1849 – 18 January 1904

Moses Rawnsley the son of John Rawnsley. John born 26 January 1805 in Esholt. He married Jane Light 7 November 1837 at All Saint’s Otley.

Moses, the second youngest of six children, was born in 1849 in Baildon. In 1851 the family were living in Baildon where John was a wool comber. Moses’s mother, Jane, died in 1859. In 1861 widowed John was a grocer living in Baildon with his children. John died in 1863. In 1871 Moses was a weaver living with his sister, Elizabeth, in Baildon.

Moses married Mary Ann Asker (born c1850 in Cowling) 16 December 1875 at St Paul’s Shipley. By 1881 they were living at 28 Ada Street in Saltaire where Moses was a wool warehouseman.

Moses and his wife emigrated to America around 1885. They had a daughter, Ethel, born 1889 in Philadelphia. In 1900 they lived in Lawrence, Essex County, Massachusetts where Moses was a wool sorter. Moses died 18 January 1904 and was buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence.

 

Renard, Edward
6 February 1854 – 5 January 1915

Ref. Article appearing in Saltaire WW1 Diary, 15 January 1915

Edward Renard was the son of John Renard. John was born c1817 in Wapping, Middlesex. He married Margaret Brafield in 1847 in Bermondsey, London. John was the licensed victualler of the Simon the Saviour public house in Bermondsey until his death in the 1860s.

Edward, the youngest of four children, was born 6 February 1854 in Bermondsey. In 1871 he was an out of work auctioneer’s clerk living with his widowed mother who was the licensed victualler of the Prince Regent public house in New Brentford, London.

By 1881 Edward was a certified art master living with his retired mother in Chelsea, London. Edward married Louisa Haley 16 August 1883 at St John’s Halifax. They had one child, Beryl Louisa, born 1887 in Saltaire. The family lived at 32 Albert Road (renumbered 63) in Saltaire from c1885 to c1889. Edward was the headmaster of the School of Art in Saltaire. In the same year as the Saltaire Exhibition (1887) he was instrumental in starting the Yorkshire Union of Artists.

In 1891 Edward and his family were living at 61 Kirkgate in Shipley. By 1901 they had moved to Newark, Nottinghamshire and by 1911 they were in Eastbourne, Sussex.

Edward died, aged 60, in Eastbourne 5 January 1915. In his will he left £460 16s 11d (worth c £41k in 2013) to his widow and his spinster daughter.

 

Rennard, Fred
12 July 1888 – 4 September 1957

Fred Rennard was the son of Joseph Rennard. Joseph was born c1858 in Leeds. He married Annie Brown 3 October 1879 at St Paul’s Shipley. They had nine children, but three died in infancy.

Fred, their third child, was born 12 July 1888 in Shipley. In 1891 the family were living at 5 Dawson Street in Windhill with Joseph working as a gas stoker. Around 1896 they moved to 26 Shirley Street in Saltaire. In 1901 Fred was working as a bobbin pegger. Around 1904 the family moved to 14 George Street in Saltaire. In 1911 Fred was working as a weaver overlooker.

Fred married Amy Jackson, a domestic servant, 22 January 1916 at St Bartholomew’s in Armley. They had two children, a son Peter Jackson, a company secretary, (23 January 1925 – 16 February 2003) and a daughter Audrey (who married Stanley Beever).

Fred & Amy lived all their lives at 54 Scarborough Road in Shipley. Fred died 4 August 1957 at the Duke of York Home in Bradford. He was buried in Hirst Wood Cemetery in Shipley. Fred left £26,487 4s 8d in his will (worth c£580k in 2015).

Amy, his widow, died 22 March 1984 aged 92.

 

Ridgway, Mary Jane Taylor (nee Quanbury)
18 December 1866 – 1957

Mary Jane Taylor Quanbury was born 18 December 1866 in Deeping St. James in Lincolnshire. (It is unclear who her parents were.)

Mary married Frederick Ridgway, 6 September 1892, at Little Bytham in Lincolnshire. Frederick & Mary had four children: -

Ethel Mary, born 30 December 1894 (baptised 3 February 1895 St John’s, Battersea, London).
Frederick Victor Charles, born 1896 (baptised 11 December 1898 St John’s, Battersea, London).
Albert Edward, born 7 October 1898 (baptised same day as his elder brother).
Reginald George, born 20 February 1900 (baptised 4 February 1903 St John’s Battersea, London).

(Note: St John’s church in Battersea was cheaply built in 1863. It was badly damaged in WW2, then demolished c1950.)

In 1901 the family were living at 7 Linda St in Battersea, where Frederick was a hackney carriage driver. By 1911 Mary was living at 41 Ada Street in Saltaire, with her four children, but without her husband. Mary moved to Saltaire to be close to her Quanbury family. In 1911 her widowed sister, Emma Trotter, was living at 58 Titus Street. (George Quanbury, a nephew of Mary’s, served in WW1. From c1936 to 1969 George and his family ran a sweet shop at 16 Victoria Rd.)

Mary moved to 15 Shirley Street around 1915. She remained here until around 1950 when she moved to 1 Carlton Walk in Shipley. Mary lived here with her married daughter Ethel Mary Riley until her death in 1957.

Mary’s husband, Frederick Ridgway, served in WW1 with the Army Service Corps. When he attested in 1915, he was living at 11 Bond St in Vauxhall, London. It is unclear what happened to him after this.

 

Ridgway, Reginald George
20 February 1900 – 1967

Reginald George was the son of Frederick Ridgway. Frederick was born c1870 in St. Albans in Hertfordshire. He married Mary Jane Taylor Quanbury, 6 September 1892, at Little Bytham in Lincolnshire.

Ethel, the eldest of four children, was born 30 December 1894 at Bethnal Green in London; she was baptised 3 February 1895 at St John’s, Battersea, London.

Reginald was born 20 February 1900. He was baptised 4 February 1903 at St John’s Battersea, London

In 1901 the family were living in Battersea, London, with Frederick working as a hackney carriage driver. Before 1911 Mary had relocated to Saltaire with her children but without her husband. Her widowed sister, Emma Trotter, was already living in Saltaire. In 1911 Mary and her children were living at 41 Ada Street; By 1915 they had moved to 15 Shirley Street.

Reginald, a cloth finisher, married a widow Maud Jackson (nee Davis) 14 May 1932 at All Saints, Bingley.

In 1935 they were living at 13 Herbert St, Saltaire. In the 1939 Register they were living at 73 Branksome Dr, Nab Wood, Shipley. By 1945 they had moved to 18 Rhodes St, Shipley. From around 1950 they were living at 7 Airedale Pl, Baildon.

Working as a home help and representing the Labour Party Maud contested the Baildon South seat in the 1951 Local Elections.

Transcription: BAILDON U.D.C. ELECTIONS
Vote for Your Labour Candidate
West Ward: JAMES E. BANKS
South Ward: MAUD RIDGWAY
East Ward: 'TED' WILLIAMS
Polling Day: Saturday, May 5th
VOTE EARLY AND VOTE LABOUR.

Maud did not get elected.

Transcription: South Ward
D. V. Scholes (Ind.)... 772
Mrs M. Ridgway (Lab.)... 397

Maud tried again the following year. Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 23 April 1952: -

His Labour Opponent will be Mrs. Maud Ridgeway, of Airedale Pl, Green Lane, an outspoken member of several organisations including Shipley Trades Council, Baildon Aged Persons Welfare Committee, Baildon Food Control Committee, and the local branch of the National Council of Public Employees.

Maud lost again, but this time it was a lot closer.

Transcription: South.- J. A. Schofield (Con) 719
Mrs Maud Ridgway (Lab,) 652.
Majority 67.
No change.
Poll 62.36 per cent.

Maud tried and lost again in 1953.

Transcription: South: A. T. M. Schofield (Ind.) 828
Mrs M. Ridgway (Labour) 528
(Majority 300).

Reginald died in 1967; Maud died in 1992.

 

Riley, Alma
27 February 1889 – 19 July 1964

Alma Riley was born, 27 February 1889, at Monk Bretton, Barnsley to Louisa Elliott and Sam Riley.

Alma lost his mother aged just five when Louisa died in 1894. He lived with his widowed father, Sam Riley, in Monk Bretton. Sam was a coal miner then a cricket groundsman.

Alma married Florence Annie Swift in 1911 in Barnsley. She was born 15 January 1890. They had a daughter, Ethel, born 7 May 1913.

In the 1921 they were living in Doncaster. Alma was an out of work coal miner.     

By 1936 they were living at 11 Amelia Street, Saltaire, where Alma would spend the rest of his life. In the 1939 Register Alma was a wool warehouseman and an A.R.P. Warden.

Alma died, 19 July 1964. In his will he left £1,080 to Florence. Florence died in 1972.

 

Riley, Benson
27 January 1853 – 14 June 1929

Benson Riley was the son George Riley. George was born c1829 in Idle. He married Elizabeth Denison, 25 July 1851, at St Wilfrid Calverley.

Benson, the eldest of fourteen children, was born, 27 January 1853, in Idle. In 1861& 1871 the family were living in Idle with George working as a rope maker and in 1871 Benson was working as a wool sorter.

Benson married Ann Helliwell, 28 June 1873, at St Pauls Shipley. They had five children; - George (b1874), Joseph (born 1876), Mary (b1878), Bentham (b1881), Maud (b1883), Willie (b1885). In 1881 they were living at 78 Aire Street in Shipley. Around 1894 they moved to 19 Albert Road in Saltaire (renumbered 37). Ann died in 1902. In 1904 Benson was living at 101 Saltaire Road in Shipley. By 1905 he had moved to 5 Lower School Street in Saltaire.

Widowed Benson married Anne Elizabeth Heaton, 25 July 1908, at St Pauls, Shipley. In 1904 they were living at 101 Saltaire Road in Shipley. By 1910 they were at 30 Ada Street in Saltaire. Around 1912 they moved to 35 George Street in Saltaire. From 1918 they lived at 26 Park Street in Shipley.

In 1921, Benson was working as a wool sorter for Thomas Crabtree, mohair merchant, Bradford.

Benson was a member of the Liberal Party and of Shipley Football Club. He died 14 June 1929.

 

Riley, Ethel Mary (nee Ridgway & Thornton)
30 December 1894 – 1983

Ethel Mary Ridgway was the daughter of Frederick Ridgway. Frederick was born c1870 in St. Albans in Hertfordshire. He married Mary Jane Taylor Quanbury 6 September 1892 at Little Bytham in Lincolnshire.

Ethel, the eldest of four children, was born 30 December 1894 at Bethnal Green in London, she was baptised 3 February 1895 at St John’s, Battersea, London.

In 1901 the family were living in Battersea, London with Frederick working as a hackney carriage driver.

Before 1911 Mary had relocated to Saltaire with her children but without her husband. Her widowed sister, Emma Trotter, was already living in Saltaire. In 1911 Mary and her children were living at 41 Ada Street; Ethel was working as a worsted twister. By 1915 they had moved to 15 Shirley Street.

Ethel married Stanley Thornton, 16 December 1916, at St Peter’s Shipley.

Stanley was born 18 October 1892. His parents were Albert Thornton & Grace Matilda Smales. Stanley was baptised 20 November 1892 at St Peter’s church in Stanley, a village near Wakefield.

Ethel & Stanley lived with Ethel’s mother at 15 Shirley St. Stanley worked as an overlooker. They had a son, Albert Victor Thornton, born 28 June 1917.Sadly, Stanley died 1 May 1920 aged just 27. He was buried three days later in St Paul’s churchyard in Shipley. Widow Ethel married widower Willie Riley, 26 November 1927, at St Peter’s Shipley. Willie was five years older than Ethel and he worked as a cloth finisher.

In the 1939 Register they were living at 1 Carlton Walk in Shipley with Willie working as a silk weaving overlooker.

Willie died in 1986; Ethel died in 1983.

 

Riley, Eric
11 November 1904 – 1992

Eric Riley was the son of Arthur Riley. Arthur was born 1865 in Saltaire. He married Emma Giles in 1894. In 1896 they were living at 26 Herbert Street in Saltaire. By 1900 they had moved to 1 Higher School Street in Saltaire with Arthur employed as a house painter.

Eric, the youngest of three children, was born 11 November 1904 in Saltaire. He was baptised 19 March 1905 at Saltaire Congregational Church. Eric, living with his family at 77 Victoria Road in Saltaire, gained a scholarship to Salts School in 1915. He also attended Saltaire Congregational Sunday School.

By 1926 the family were living in Baildon. Eric married Ida Wade in 1928. She was born 15 July 1903. They had two daughters – Hazel in 1934, and Janet in 1938. At first, they lived with Eric’s parents at Ellenthorpe Road in Baildon. By 1932 they had their own home at 7 Nab Wood Gardens in Shipley; they were still there in 1962. In the 1939 Register Eric was working as a wool salesman.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 7 October 1959: -

BARNARDO’S EFFORT

Mrs. Eric Riley held a successful bring-and-buy sale at her home, 7 Nab Wood Gardens. Shipley, last Wednesday, in aid of Dr. Barnardo's Homes.

Morning coffee was served and tea and biscuits in the afternoon by women helpers. The effort raised £l3.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 9 November 1960: -

The Guild of the Saltaire Congregational Church organised a highly successful plot night social and supper at the Sunday School on Wednesday evening. Mr. Eric Riley was chairman.

Eric died in 1992.   His parents are buried together in Nab Wood Cemetery Shipley; Arthur died 14 May 1935 and Emma died 10 January 1936.

 

Ripley, John Thomas
1871 – 1946

John Thomas was the son of Joseph Ripley. Joseph was born c1829 in Bradford. He married Elizabeth Briggs 2 August 1852 at St Wilfrid Calverley.

John, the youngest of three sons, was born 1864 in Bradford. In 1871 & 1881 the family were living in Albion Street, Shipley with Joseph working as a stone mason and John as a bobbin pegger.

John married Margaret Ann Adlum 6 May 1893 at St Wilfrid Calverley. They lived at 26 Ashley Road in Shipley with John working as a wool warehouseman labourer. In 1907 they moved to 28 Mary Street in Saltaire where they remained until Margaret died 31 May 1916. They had no children.

Widowed John married Ruth Hannah Hudson in 1918. They lived all their years at 23 Dove Street in Saltaire.

John died in 1946. Ruth died 4 April 1947 and she left £752 8s 3d (worth c£27k in 2016) to the bank in her will.

 

Ripley, Thomas
28 December 1856 – 10 December 1920

Thomas Ripley was born 28 December 1856 in Wray, near Lancaster in Lancashire, to Ann Bowker and William Ripley.

In 1871 they were living in Skerton, near Lancaster. Thomas worked as a silk filler and his father was a silk dresser. In 1881 Thomas was a railway station master lodging in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Thomas married Margaret Miller in 1888 in Lonsdale, near Lancaster. She was born in 1863 in Hornby, near Lancaster. They had three children including Fred Ripley who served in WW1.

In 1891 and 1901 they were living in Hornby where Thomas was the railway station master. They moved to Saltaire in 1901 when Thomas was appointed Saltaire railway station master.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 1 June: -

Thomas Ripley, of Hornby, near Lancaster, has been appointed to fill the vacancy at Saltaire Station, caused by the retirement of Mr. William Secker. 

They lived at 38 George Street, Saltaire, before moving to 78 Victoria Road, Saltaire. Thomas died 10 February 1920. He was buried in Hirst Wood Cemetery, Shipley.

Report from the Shipley Times 10 December 1920: -

Thomas Ripley, aged 64, stationmaster at Saltaire (Midland) Station, of 78 Victoria Rd, Saltaire, died in Saltaire on Saturday last. He had been 50 years in the service of the Midland Railway Company and came to Saltaire over nineteen years ago from Hornby.

He was a worshipper at St. Peter’s Church, Shipley, and was a member of the Shipley Musical Union. He leaves a wife, a son, and two daughters. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon.

The service at St. Peter’s Church and at the graveside at Hirst Wood Cemetery being conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. F. B. Hope). Members of the staff at Shipley and Saltaire stations, in uniform, were the bearers.

The widow and children of deceased, and other relatives attended, and there were also present representatives of the various organisations with which deceased was connected. The Midland Railway Company was represented Mr. W. Whatley, Traffic Inspector. Mr. U. B. Smith (stationmaster, Keighley), Mr. J. Hartley (stationmaster, Bingley), Mr. J. W. Smales (stationmaster, Frizinghall), also attended.

The Shipley Musical Union was represented by Mr. J. T. Kendall (president), Messrs. J. Bradley, L. Udall, H. Smith, B. Smith, G. Gill, E. Ellis, W. Sewell, S. Horn, T. B. Read, J. Butterfield, and John Gregory. Amongst the personal friends were Mr. and Mrs. J. Ward Holmes, Messrs. W. Dyson, T. Furniss, J. Charlesworth, C. Holgate, and H. Feather. A large number of beautiful of pink and white blooms, were placed on the grave. These were from relatives and friends, and from the staff at Saltaire Station, and the Shipley Musical Union. Mr. E. Stephenson, Saltaire, was the undertaker.

Thomas was buried alongside his son-in-law, Harry Bramma, who died in February 1916. Thomas’s widow, Margaret, joined them when she died in October 1937, aged 74.

 

Robinson, Ethel
25 November 1896 – 1970

Ethel Robinson was the daughter of Israel Robinson. Israel was born 1863 in Idle. He married Lily Scott 13 June 1885 at St Wilfrid Calverley. In 1891 they were living in Windhill with Israel working as a labourer.

Ethel, the fifth of seven children, was born 25 November 1896 in Bolton Wood. In 1901 the family were living in Bradford. Israel died in 1909. In 1911 Ethel was working as a spinner and living with her widowed mother and siblings at 2 Jane Street in Saltaire.

Ethel married James Arthur Tweedy, a fitter aged 24 from Burley, Leeds, 9 November 1918 at St Peters Shipley. They had at least two children; John born 1921 and Margaret born 1927. In 1928 they were living at 9 Highbank Cottages in Shipley; in 1939 they were living at 10 Park Street in Shipley with James working as a gas lamplighter.

When James died in 1964, they were living at 1 Tower Street in Todmorden. James was buried 8 December 1964 at St Mary’s in Todmorden. Ethel died in 1970 in the district of Halifax.

 

Robinson, William Batley
5 April 1851 – 8 July 1914

William Batley Robinson was the son of John Robinson. John was born 1826 in Heckmondwike. He married Maria Batley in 1850 in Dewsbury.

William, the elder of two sons, was born, 5 April 1851, in Dewsbury. In 1861 & 1871 the family were living in Dewsbury with John working firstly as a wool spinner then secondly as a green grocer.

William married Emma Hartley 31 January 1885 at Birkenshaw. They had three children; Harold (born 1886), Elsie (1888) and Edith (1891). In 1891 they were living in Guiseley with William working as a Police Constable.

By 1901 they had moved to 8 George Street in Saltaire. In 1911 William had retired from the police force and was living with his wife, Emma, at 22 Victoria Road in Saltaire.

William died, 8 July1914, at 22 Victoria Road; he was buried in Hirst Wood Cemetery, Shipley. In his will he left £260 13s 6d to his widow, Emma. In March 1917 it was reported that Emma was taken to court to be evicted from her home.

Emma died, 4 February 1932, at 64 Victoria Road, Saltaire, aged 83. She was buried in Hirst Wood Cemetery with her husband. In her will she left £215 13s 11d to her spinster daughter, Elsie. Elsie was buried with her parents when she died, 14 March 1948, at 64 Victoria Road. In her will she left £1491 3s 4d.

 

Rowston, John William
14 October 1861 – 14 July 1940

 John William Rowston was born, 14 October 1861, in Lincolnshire.

John married Jane Vickerman Jowsey, 27 July 1894, at All Souls in Scarborough. She was born, 4 January 1862, in Scarborough. They had three children, (including a daughter called Jane) with one dying as an infant.

In 1891 and 1901 they were living in Barrett Street, Shipley, with John working as an iron moulder.

By 1902 they were living at 43 Caroline Street, Saltaire, where John and his wife were caretakers of Saltaire Congregational Church. They retired in 1932 and moved to 7 Glenroyd, Shipley, where they remained the rest of their lives.

Jane died, 5 May 1940. John died two months later, 14 July 1940.

 

Ruddock, William
1842 – 17 March 1898

William Ruddock was born in 1842 in Bardwell, Suffolk to Mary Ann Clark and George Ruddock, an agricultural labourer.

William married Eliza Ruddock (they shared the same surname) in 1871. Eliza was born in 1848 in Suffolk. They had at least nine children. They moved to the Shipley district between 1872 and 1876.

In 1881 they were living at 19 Caroline Street, Saltaire, with William working as a quarryman. From 1887 to 1890 they were at 19 Mary Street, Saltaire.

In 1891 they were at 20 Jane Street, Saltaire, with William labouring in a quarry.

William, now a railway worker, was accidently killed at work on 17 March 1898.

Report in the Shipley Times 26 March 1898: -

The Fatality to a Saltaire Main

On Saturday (19 March) an inquest was held at the Queens Hotel, Shipley, on the body of William Ruddock, aged 54 years, of Jane Street, Saltaire, who was killed on the line near Apperley station on the previous Thursday (17 March).

The evidence of William Benfield, a ganger in the employ of the Midland Railway Company, showed that the deceased, who was a mason’s labourer, also in the employ of the Company, was working on the bridge at Apperley, and that he had occasion to cross the lines to reach the cabin. Just before doing so he was warned of the approach of a Leeds train, but took no notice, and in stepping into the four-foot he was caught by the engine and killed instantly.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned, the jury being of the opinion that no blame attached to anyone.

The deceased leaves a wife and family. The interment took place on Monday (21 March) afternoon at Windhill cemetery, the funeral being hugely attended.

In 1901 his widow, Eliza, and their children were living at 20 Jane Street. She was buried with William in Windhill Cemetery when she died, 22 February 1903.

 

Rushworth, Emma
1857 – 19 July 1889

Emma Rushworth was the daughter of David Rushworth. David was born c1819 in Shipley. He married Elizabeth Gill 3 January 1841 at St Wilfrid’s Calverley. Sadly Elizabeth died 2nd Qtr. 1842. Widower David married Ruth Rushforth, 18 April 1842, at Bradford Cathedral. Ruth was 11 years younger than David. They had three daughters.

Emma, their middle child, was born 1857 in Shipley. In 1861 they were living in Briggate, Shipley with David working as a weaver. David died in February 1862. Widow Ruth married George Smithson in 1867. In 1871 Emma was a spinner living with her mother and stepfather at 36 Ada Street in Saltaire. George died in 1872.

In 1881 Emma was a weaver living at 36 Ada Street with her sister and step-sister. Her mother was working as a nurse and living in Shipley. Emma, a spinster, died 19 July 1889.

Report from the Shipley Times 27 July 1889: -

Funeral of a Salvationist
There was a large gathering of Salvationists at Shipley on Monday, when remains of Miss Emma Rushworth aged thirty-two years of 36 Ada Street, Saltaire, were interred in the churchyard of St Paul’s Shipley.
The deceased was an officer in the Salvation Army. She joined the Army on its first establishment in Shipley, some six years ago, and some three years later, at her own request, she was sent to the Training Home of the Army in London, to further her desire to become an officer. After being three months in the Home, she was appointed to a depot at Winslow. Subsequently she was sent to Stoke Church, and afterwards to Haverford West in Wales.
The latter was her last charge as, never very strong, her health gave way, and about five months ago she returned to her family at Saltaire to recruit her health.
Much sympathy was expressed for her by her fellow workers in the Army, and the announcement of her death on Friday last, the 19th inst., was received with the utmost regret.
A procession was formed in Ada Street, headed by the officers and the brass band of the Army. The bearers were the members of the tambourine band, of which the deceased was formerly captain. Each wore the distinctive sashes of membership. Following the hearse was a long procession of the members of the Army. It is estimated that over a thousand members of the Army and others attended the funeral.

 

Russell, Ada (nee Fox)
1864 – 1 November 1955

Ada Fox was the daughter of Thomas Fox. Thomas was born 14 May 1828 in Bradford. He married Ellen Hurd, 9 November 1861, at All Saints in Bingley.

Ada, the eldest of five children, was born 1864 in Shipley. In 1871 the family were living at 7 Gordon Terrace in Saltaire (renumbered 63 Bingley Road) with Thomas working as a wool sorter. Ada was educated at Salt’s School before being a pupil at East Hardwick Girls Boarding School near Pontefract in 1881.

Living with her family at 13 Albert Road (renumbered 25) in Saltaire, Ada married John Thomas Russell, 4 January 1890, at St Pauls in Shipley. In 1891 the married couple were living at 4 Queens Road in Shipley with John working as a clerk. They had three daughters: - Ellen Margaret (b1892), Kathleen (b1895) and Isabel (b1900).

Before 1901 they moved to 33 Hall Royd in Shipley where they would live the rest of their lives. John died in 1918 and he was buried 5 July 1918 at Hirst Wood Cemetery in Shipley. Widowed Ada lived with her daughters for another 37 years before she died. Ada was buried 3 November 1955 alongside John. In her will she left £1145 7s 10d to her three daughters none of whom had married. (£1145 is worth c£28k in 2016.)

Kathleen died in 1967 aged 72. Isabel died in 1999 aged 99. Ellen Margaret died at 33 Hall Royd 15 March 1981 aged 89. In her will she left £6905. 33 Hall Royd in Shipley was occupied by the Russell family for over 80 years.

 

Rutherford, Ethel (nee Moore)
15 July 1890 – 1973

Ethel was the daughter of Henry Moore. Henry was born c1869 in Purton in Wiltshire. He married Rhoda Tuck 1888 in Keighley.

Ethel was their eldest child, born 15 July 1890 in Haworth. They had three more children; Edith (born 1892), Albert (born 3 February 1894) and Fred (born 24 October 1895). Both Albert and Fred served in WW1.

In 1891 the family were living in Midgley with Henry working as a weaver. Henry died in 1899, aged just thirty. In 1901 widowed Rhoda, working as a weaver, was living with her children at 38 Ada Street in Saltaire. By 1911 they had moved to 11 Katherine Street in Saltaire with Ethel and her mother both working as weavers.

Ethel married Robert John Thompson Middleton Rutherford at St Peters Shipley, 29 January 1916. Robert was a clerk and he also served in WW1. They lived at 11 Katherine Street until 1925 when they moved to 13 Tower Road in Shipley, where they lived until 1956.

Husband Robert died in Blackpool in 1958 and Ethel died in Fylde, Lancashire in 1973.

 

 
 
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About

This website

Colin Coates

The Saltaire Journal, Nemine Juvante Publications

Contact

Editor: Flinty Maguire
editor@saltairevillage.info

Reseacher: Colin Coates
colincoates@saltairevillage.info

Saltaire Social History
history@saltairevillage.info

 
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This website is unfunded and run by volunteers. We do our best! The information may be inaccurate or out of date.