Thomas James (d.1889)
Thomas James (d.1889), managing partner in the firm of Walker, Maynard and Co
1854 Engaged as manager at the South Bank Iron Works, Yorkshire, belonging to Sir Bernhard Samuelson[1]
1889 Obituary [2]
THOMAS JAMES, of Ivor House, Coatham, managing partner in the firm of Messrs. Maynard, Walker & Co., of the Redcar Ironworks, who died at Redcar in March last, was the only son of Thomas James, who came to the North of England in 1845 to erect the first blast-furnaces for Messrs. Bolckow & Vaughan, at Witton Park, Durham, and who afterwards, in 1851, erected the Middlesbrough blast-furnaces and the Eston furnaces for the same firm.
Whilst Thomas James, sen, was in the North of England building furnaces for Messrs. Bolckow & Vaughan and Messrs. Pease, Wilson & Co., the deceased gentleman was serving his apprenticeship under his uncle, Mr. Thomas Ellis, engineer of the Tredegar Ironworks, South Wales.
On coming to the North of England, he worked at the Shildon Railway Shops, in the fitting department, and studied engineering generally. He was first connected with the blast furnaces of Messrs. Samuelson & Co., at South Bank, in the laying out of which he assisted, and was afterwards one of the managers for Messrs. Bell Bros., at Port Clarence.
He left Clarence to manage the late Lord Londonderry's furnaces at Seaham, and in 1872 returned to the Middlesbrough district and undertook the management of the Acklam furnaces (Messrs. Stevenson, Jaques & Co.). On leaving that firm, he became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Walker, Maynard & Co., of the Redcar Ironworks, in which he continued to be managing partner to the time of his death.
The deceased, gentleman took a great interest in various subjects connected with the iron trade. In local matters he also took a prominent interest, and on the formation of the Kirkleatham Local Board and the Kirkleatham School Board he was elected a member of these bodies. Two years before his death lie was prostrated with a serious illness. He recovered somewhat, but after the death, about twelve months since, of a favourite daughter, he had a relapse, and gradually grew worse.
He joined the Institute in 1872.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Obituary of Alfred C. Hill
- ↑ 1889 Iron and Steel Institute: Obituaries