Walter Montgomerie Neilson: Obituary
Note: This is a sub-section of Walter Montgomerie Neilson
1890 Obituary [1]
WALTER MONTGOMERIE NEILSON, son of James Beaumont Neilson, the inventor of the hot-blast, was born in Glasgow in 1819.
Having received a sound practical education, he was trained as a mechanical engineer in the works of his uncle, John Neilson, of the Oakbank Foundry, and under John McAndrew, in the St. Rollox Engine-Works, Glasgow.
While a very young man, somewhere about the year 1840, he entered into partnership with the late Mr. Kerr, in the establishment which has since become so widely known as the Hyde Park Locomotive Works. At first the business of the firm was confined to land and marine engines; but about 1842 they began to turn their attention to the construction of locomotives, an industry which was then, comparatively speaking, in its infancy, but in which there were already several firms in Glasgow engaged.
In 1852 the construction of marine engines was added to that of land and locomotive engines, but shortly thereafter the first and second of these branches were dropped, and the firm devoted all its attention to the development of its railway connection, their efforts in this direction soon attaining complete success.
In 1857 Messrs. Neilson and Co.’s connection with Indian railways commenced, and in this important market they attained the first place amongst locomotive builders. During the course of this connection, Mr. Neilson’s firm constructed fully twelve-hundred engines for the railway service of that Dependency, and the many and varied types included in that number would of themselves form a most interesting and instructive chapter in the history of the locomotive industry. In addition, the name-plate of the Hyde Park Locomotive Works is largely to be seen on the home and continental railways ; on those of Africa and South America, as well as of the British Colonies all over the globe.
By the death of his father in the year 1865, Mr. Neilson succeeded to the residential estate of Queenshill, in Kirkcudbrightshire, and retiring from business in 1878, he removed thither, intending to devote himself to less exacting pursuits. But he was never able to take much interest in the occupations of the country gentleman, and he frequently revisited Glasgow, the scene of the labours of his active years. Mr. Neilson was a Commissioner of Supply for the Stewartry. In addition to the estate of Queenshill, he also possessed the property of Barcaple, Valleyfield, Largs, and Trostrie, a very large number of feus, &c.
Mr. Neilson was an enthusiastic supporter of the Volunteer force, and was for many years colonel of the 6th Lanarkshire Corps. He was also a prominent member of the order of Freemasons, and held office as Grand Master of the Glasgow Province. In politics Mr. Neilson was a Liberal. When the recent split in the party took place, he threw in his lot with the Liberal Unionists. He was a member of, and latterly an office-bearer in, the Free Church. For a number of years Mr. Neilson has been in the habit of spending the winter in Italy. He had an estate called Monte Picini, near Florence, in the development of which he took great delight, conducting elaborate experiments in the culture of the vine. In summer he returned to his country seat at Queenshill.
At the end of 1888 he had an attack of paralysis, to which he gradually succumbed, death occurring on the 8th of the July following.
Mr. Neilson was elected a member of the Institution on the 3rd of April, 1860.