James Alfred Towler
James Alfred Towler (c1860-1928)
1928 Obituary [1]
JAMES ALFRED TOWLER was educated at Giggleswick Grammar School and was articled to Messrs. Joseph Clayton and Sons of Preston from 1875 to 1880; he also attended technical classes in the evenings. During the last year of his apprenticeship he assisted in the erection at Norwich of two beam pumping engines and boilers designed by Messrs. T. and C. Hawksley for the waterworks company.
Returning to Lancashire, he worked as an erector for Messrs. Yates and Thom, and later as draughtsman with Messrs. Clayton, Goodfellow and Company, both of Blackburn.
In 1884 he was appointed leading draughtsman at Messrs. Hathorn, Davey and Company, Leeds, and the following year became chief draughtsman. Subsequently he was appointed works manager and held this post until his retirement from the firm in 1911.
His long experience of waterworks and mine pumping engines made him well known in that branch of engineering, and he took out several patents connected with steam-engine valve-gear.
In 1912 he and the late Mr. John Pickering, director of Messrs. Clayton and Sons, bought the Leeds Hydraulic and Engineering Company of Rodley, Leeds. Mr. Towler occupied the position of managing director until his death on 22nd February, 1928 at the age of 68.
He because a Member of the Institution in 1889.