James Woolley Summers
1849 Born in Dukinfield, son of John Summers, Senior
1876 After the death of their father, the main burden of the John Summers and Sons business was carried by the eldest and third sons, James and John, later to be joined by some of the younger brothers.
1881 Three of the Summers brothers were living together in Ashton under Lyne: James W. Summers 32, John Summers 24, Alfred Summers 20; all described as Iron Masters (Employing About 500 Hands)[1]
1891 Ironmaster, living in Stalybridge with Edith Summers 33, Lilias M Summers 7, Alfred S M Summers 4[2]
1896 The brothers decided to expand on a 'greenfield site', eventually selecting Sealand Marshes on the Dee estuary, where the Hawarden Bridge (Shotton) Works was established, opening in 1896.
James and Frank Summers were in charge at Shotton; John and Harry remaining at Stalybridge. However, Harry visited Shotton regularly, and became dissatisfied, considering that James and Frank and the senior managers were not devoting sufficient time to the business.
1901 Manager of iron works, lived in Burton, Denbigh, with Edith Summers 43[3]
By 1908 Shotton had outgrown the Stalybridge works, and the headquarters was moved there. Harry was put in charge, and removed the under-performing managers.
1913 Died in London
See Also
Sources of Information
- 'The Summers of Shotton' by Brian Redhead and Sheila Gooddie, Hodder & Stoughton, 1987