Ben Stocks was an architect, local councillor and alderman.
He was born on 12 March 1838, the son of contractor and builder John Stocks.
He studied architectural drawing Mechanics' Institute before joining the firm of John Kirk in 1863.[1]
His brother, John Ainley Stocks, was a mason and architect.
He married Jane Roebuck, daughter of manufacturer Robert Roebuck, on 18 November 1867 at St. Mary's Church, Honley. The couple had four known children:
In 1868 he left Kirk to set up his own architectural practice on Bankfield Road, later moving to Union Bank Yard (prior to 1881) and then St. Peter's Street (circa 1901).[1]
He was initiated into the Huddersfield White Hart Lodge of Freemasons (No. 290) on 8 March 1871.
His daughter Edith Eliza married yarn spinner Walker Thomas Priest (Mayor of Huddersfield from 1929 to 1931) in 1896.
Ben Stocks died on 27 February 1911. His estate was valued at £11,082 13s. 11d.