Ebenezer Timmins

Ebenezer Timmins of E. Timmins and Sons

1890 'Mr. Ebenezer Timmins, engineer, ironfounder, &c., of Runcorn, died at his residence, Mill House, Halton-road, on Sunday morning last. A few years ago Mr. Timmins was stricken with a severe illness, which prostrated him for several months, and although he was after a time able to resume an oversight over the manifold operations of his firm, he never recovered his former robust health. He suffered from a painful internal disease, which required him to take the utmost care of himself, and on the Tuesday previous to his death, he got wet through whilst watching some boring operations near Northwich. Next day he was confined to bed, and despite the medical skill of Dr. Carruthers and Dr. McDougall, he succumbed to the malady as previously stated.
Born on the 31st December, 1823, the deceased gentleman, was in his 67th year at the time of his demise. He was the seventh son of Joseph and Michel Timmins, and first saw the light at Wallace, Round Oak, near Dudley. His father was the engineer at the collieries of Lord Wardard, and young Enenezer at an early age commenced to work under his father, amongst the vast underground water machinery of these valuable and extensive coal fields. Here he laid the foundation of his future success in hydrology. In order to gain wider experience, young Timmins obtained a situation under Mr. T. Hawksley, the eminent water engineer, and took part in the construction of the Trent Bridge Waterworks, and also the gasworks at Nottingham. Leaving the latter town, he was appointed by the Duke of Bridgewater assistant engineer to the Worsley Collieries, and while he was thus employed he married the daughter of Thomas Ridyard, brewer, of Walkden.
After several years service under the Duke, Mr. Timmins, in September, 1851, rented the Bridgewater Foundry at Runcorn, which had been previously occupied by Mr. William Crippin. Turning his attention to general engineering and contracting Mr. Timmins, constructed amongst many others, the gas works of Widnes, Runcorn, Ditton, Winsford, Leigh, and Stretford.
Works of water supply now attracted the attention of Mr. Timmins, and his skill and natural aptitude quickly gained him a high reputation; and during his life he carried out hundreds of works of water supply in all parts of the country. In connection with the Ship Canal scheme, in which Runcorn people are deeply interested, Mr. Timmins conducted a series of very important borings in order to ascertain the various strata through which the waterway would have to be cut, and so arrive at some knowledge of the difficulties that had to be surmounted.
To keep pace with his business, Mr. Timmins had several times to enlarge the foundry and at the present time over two hundred skilled workmen find employment there. By the men in his service he was regarded as a most conscientious, just, and considerate master, and amongst the townspeople generally his character was held in the highest esteem. He took a keen interest in the welfare of those by whom he was surrounded, and any object tending to the advancement of the social and religious welfare of the people had always his hearty support. For upwards of 20 years he was the representative of the Bridgewater Canal Company on the Board of Improvement Commissioners, where his wide knowledge and experience proved of very great value. About three years ago he resigned his position in favour of Mr. F. Wiswall, the engineer to the Company, but the ratepayers showed their confidence and trust by returning him as their representative, and at the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Board. He was a manager of Trinity schools, and a trustee of the Liptrot Charity, and by his death the church loses a consistent supporter. He was a director of the Runcorn Water Works Company, and the shareholders have lost one whose advice was of the greatest benefit to the concern, and his place will be difficult to fill. The deceased gentleman leaves six sons and one daughter, five of the sons having been associated with him in the business. The funeral took place on Wednesday aftmoon. Flags were flying half-mast at various places, in the town, and the windows of the houses and shops en route to the cemetery were darkened as a token of respect to the memory of the deceased. In fact the occasion was one of public mourning; the funeral cortege was of a most impressive character, and the streets were lined with spectators, whilst hundreds had gathered at the cemetery. .....'

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