Thomas Albert Taylor (1843-1898)

Thomas Albert Taylor was a local auctioneer and a founding partner of Eddison and Taylor of Huddersfield.

Biography

He was born on 31 March 1843 in Huddersfield, the son of joiner Thomas Taylor and his wife Ann, and was baptised 7 May 1843 at Huddersfield Parish Church.

He married Clara Lee, daughter of hotel proprietor Joshua Lee, on 1 August 1888 at St. John's in Huddersfield.

In November 1894, he was injured when the floor collapsed at Sefton Mills, Meltham, during an auction. Fellow auctioneer James Waterhouse Taylor died from the injuries he sustained in the incident.

On the afternoon of 31 January 1898, Taylor had briefly attended a meeting at the Woolpack Inn, Almondbury. After leaving the inn, he missed the tramcar he had intended to catch and began walking down the hill to the next stop. Part way down the hill, he slipped and suffered a double compound fracture in his right leg. It was reported that he had lain in the road for around 30 minutes before being found.

Although his the fracture was treated, he contracted pneumonia and died a week later on Sunday 6 February 1898. His probate record listed effects to the value of nearly £10,700.

His wife, Clara Taylor, died on 1 November 1935, aged 84.

Obituary

From the Huddersfield Daily Chronicle (08/Feb/1898):

We announce with deep regret the death of Mr. Thomas Albert Taylor, the well-known auctioneer, which occurred at his residence (120, Halifax Old-road) between 11 and 12 o'clock on Sunday night. Born in Huddersfield just over 54 years ago, Mr. Taylor had, by energy and perseverance, raised himself to the position of one of the leading men in his profession in the town. His business career can be very briefly sketched, because practically the whole of it was spent in connection with the firm of which, at the time of his death, he was the principal partner. When a boy of 14 Mr. Taylor was articled to the late Mr. William Eddison. Subsequently he went into partnership with that gentleman's son (Mr. John Eddison), and established the firm which has flourished so long in our midst, viz :— that of Messrs. Eddison and Taylor. The deceased gentleman afterwards carried on the business alone until about seven years ago, when he was joined by Mr. J.J. Booth (who was then in the service of Messrs. Laycock, Dyson, and Laycock), and five years later his name was added to the title of the firm, which has since been known as Messrs. Eddison, Taylor, and Booth. Mr. Taylor's constitution was naturally robust, but three years ago last November he suffered a shock from which he never really recovered. On the 8th of November, 1894, he was conducting a sale of machinery in the weaving shed at Sefton Mills, Meltham, on behalf of his firm, when a portion of the flooring gave way. Several people were precipitated into a disused tank below, and one of them, Mr. J.B. Crosland, of West Lynn, Gledholt (son of Mr. James Crosland) was killed on the spot. Amongst those who suffered as a result of the accident was Mr. Taylor, for on referring to the file the Chronicle of that date we learn that he "was amongst those who were thrown to the bottom of the tank, and some persons fell on him, but he was fortunate enough to regain his footing in a minute or so, and on reaching the surface he himself gave instructions for medical assistance and conveyances to be sent for." A subsequent issue adds that Mr. Taylor "was confined to his bed suffering from severe shock, as well as several bruises to the body." From this severe shock Mr. Taylor never completely recovered, and the effect of the accident which he sustained last week was in consequence much more serious than might otherwise have been the case. Whilst walking alone from the Woolpack Inn at Almondbury, where he had been engaged with members of his staff in making a valuation, it will be remembered, he apparently slipped off the kerbstone and his right ankle was fractured. He lay where he fell until he was seen by a passer by. A cab was sent for and he was taken home, where he was seen by Dr. Rogerson, of Halifax Old Road, and Dr. F.W. Robinson, of New North Road (his ordinary medical adviser). Although the accident was a serious one the many enquiring friends of Mr. Taylor were cheered by the intelligence that his condition was quite as favourable as could be expected. On Sunday, however, pneumonia supervened, and shortly before midnight he passed quietly away. Courteous and kindly in his disposition, Mr. Taylor had won the universal respect of all who knew him. His death will cause very great regret, and his sorrowing widow (a daughter of the late Mr. Joshua Lee, of this town) and other relatives will have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement. Mr. Taylor was an enthusiastic member of the Auctioneers' Institute, and after filling the position of vice-chairman of the Yorkshire Branch he was elected its president, but after serving about 12 months he felt compelled, about a fortnight before his death, to resign that appointment on account of failing health. Since going to live in the Fartown district Mr. Taylor has attended the services at Trinity Wesleyan Chapel. In politics he was generally regarded as a Unionist, but his characteristic good nature and kindliness prevented him ever running the risk of offending his many friends by any bigoted declaration of his religious or political views.

Further Reading

Notes and References