John Hartley HODSON
(1867 - 1939)
John Hartley HODSON was the youngest son of Matthew HODSON and Margaret HARTLEY. John was born in 1867, Blackburn, Lancashire[1].
The family moved to Wigan whilst John was a boy and in the 1881 Census, John's occupation is recorded an 'Apprentice to a Tea Dealer', living at 36 Corporation Street, Wigan, with his father, Matthew (a 'Draper's Porter) and his oldest sister Elizabeth Alice (a 'Factory Worker'), sister Betsy (an 'Upholsterer').
In the late 1880s, John went into partnership with William Robert DEAKIN (1862-1943) and Samuel Pownall DEAKIN (1839-1929), forming Deakin & Hodson, a marmalade and preserves manufacturers and yeast importers. The business was based at Henhurst Bridge Mill, Chapel Lane, Wigan. The Deakin Hodson partnership was dissolved by mutual consent on 31st December 1890.
John married Sarah Ellen BASHFORTH in 1898 in Wigan (at Wigan Registry Office or Registrar attended)[2].
John and Sarah spent most of their married life living near Henhurst Bridge, Chapel Lane, Wigan. John continued to trade as a Yeast Merchant[4] and was a prominent figure in business circles. He was a member of Wigan Rotary Club and of Standishgate Methodist Church choir. John also sang in the Wigan Harmonic Male Voice Choir and the Wigan Philharmonic Society from its inception.
John died on Wednesday 25th January 1939 at his home 1 Falkland Road, Southport and his death was announced in the Wigan Observer on Saturday 28th January 1939[3].
John's funeral took place on Saturday 28th January 1939 at Southbank Methodist Church, Southport, conducted by Rev. E.C. Tanton. The service included the hymns, 'O love of God how strong and true' and 'The King of Love my Shepherd is'. The organist, Mr R. Edmondson Moreton played 'O rest in the Lord' and Chopin's 'Funeral March'[3]. The chief mourners were:
- Mrs S.E. Hodson
- Mr & Mrs Cyril Bashforth and Ronnie Bashforth (Wigan)
- Mrs J.W. Bailey (Barnsley)
- Mr & Mrs T.H.B. Land (Blackburn)
- Mr W.T. Walmsley (Blackburn)
- Mr & Mrs J.R. Walmsley (Blackburn)
- Nurse E. Stockley
- Miss Bessie Deakin (Wigan)
- Mr William G. (Billy) Deakin (Worcester)
- Mr & Mrs Bert Deakin and Master William (Billy) Deakin (Worcester)
- Mr James S. Deakin (Wigan)
- Mr E.W. Johnson (Wigan)
- Mr & Mrs Owen (Wigan)
- Mrs Jackson (Southport)
- Mr J. Fairhurst (Wigan)
- Mr & Ms Rushton (Southport)
Also present at the church were:
- Mr T. Santus (representing the Wigan Harmonic Male Voice Choir)
- Mr & Mrs W. Hall (Wigan)
- Mr T.H. Walker (secretary Wigan Rotary Club)
- Miss Darbyshire
- Miss E. Allen
- Mr W.R. Deakin
- Mr Russell Johnson
- Mr Richard Carr
- Mr J.H. Leatherbarrow (LPMA)
- Mr & Mrs Walter Gregson
- Mr Boon
- Mr & Mrs J.R. Slater
- Miss Marshall
- Mrs Dennison
- Mr J.H. Marlow (representing Messrs. Trackranen Bros. Ltd)
- Mr W. Gomersall (representing The United Yeast Co. Ltd, Manchester)
John was interred at Birkdale Cemetery, Southport. His grave was decorated with spring flowers and Rev. Tanton performed the last rites[3].
[1]: Source: Register of Births registered in April, May, June in 1867. Blackburn, Vol 8e page 317.
[2]: Source: Register of Marriages registered in January, February, March in 1898. Wigan, Vol 8c page 181.
[3]: Source: Wigan Observer, 1939.
[4]: Source: 1901 Census.