Joseph Crosfield
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2015) |
Joseph Crosfield (5 October 1792 – 16 February 1844) was a businessman who established a soap and
Early life
Joseph Crosfield was born in Warrington, the fourth son of George Crosfield and his wife Ann née Key. The Crosfield family had been
Soap and alkali manufacture
In 1814, Joseph's apprenticeship having finished, at the age of 21 he decided to establish his own soap making business in Warrington. At this time soap manufacturing was growing rapidly in the Mersey bad recently developed canals and river navigations in the area which allowed for easier transport of the raw materials into the factories and for the distribution of the finished products. A number of new large soaperies had recently been established in the nearby towns of St Helens, Runcorn and Liverpool.[5]
Joseph Crosfield's soapery was established on the north bank of a loop of the river Mersey in an area known as Bank Quay, near to urban Warrington but at that time separated from it by a stretch of fields. Other industrial premises were nearby. The premises occupied that of a failed wire mill and the business started with a capital of £1,500. It struggled at first, partly due to the trade depression at the time, but by 1818 it was making a profit.[6]
In 1820 Joseph was joined in the business by his younger brother William (1805–1881). Later that year his father George died, leaving a legacy of £1,500 to Joseph. Around this time Joseph Fell also became a partner in the business. Also around this time Joseph Crosfield bought the machinery from a nearby
In addition to making soap, like many other soapmakers Joseph Crosfield was involved in making candles.[8] By the mid-1830s Crosfield's was producing around 900 tons of soap annually.[9] In 1832 they were the 25th largest business in the list of 296 soapmakers in England and Scotland that year.[10] Joseph carried out most of the clerical work himself in the business, employing only one clerk.[11]
Joseph Crosfield became engaged in a variety of other business enterprises. One of these was the old grocery business of Crosfield & Fell, where he replaced his father after the latter's death. He continued to run the corn-mill from which he had bought the machinery.[12] By the 1830s most soap makers were manufacturing their own alkali by the Leblanc process, rather than using alkali from vegetable sources.[13] Joseph Crosfield was no exception. Rather than manufacturing it in his Bank Quay site, he took over a bankrupt alum works in St Helens, Merseyside with his older brother James (1787–1852) and Josias Christopher Gamble. Here he continued to make alum and also manufactured alkali by the Leblanc process. Joseph's younger brother Simon (1803–1864) later became a partner in this business.[14]
Other investments
During this time Joseph's soap-making business was making large profits but, rather than investing them into this business, he put the money into other enterprises, most of which lost money. He had an interest in
In common with many other businessmen of the time, Joseph became involved with the newly opening railways. His major interest was in the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway. After investing in this enterprise in 1830 he became a director in 1836. He speculated in other local railway lines, making gains with some and losses with others. He also speculated in a number of foreign investments, usually breaking even or suffering small losses.[16]
Political, civic and religious life
Joseph Crosfield was also deeply involved in the political, civic and religious life of Warrington. In addition to his continuing Quaker activities, he was a
Personal life
In 1819 Joseph Crosfield married Elizabeth Goad from the village of Baycliffe in the Furness area of Lancashire.[18] Joseph and his family lived close to his works. After his marriage his first house was Mersey Bank, a fairly large house standing in its own grounds to the west of the factory. In 1826 he leased a plot of land nearby at White Cross on which he built a new house and in which he lived for the rest of his life. His wife produced for him 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. Joseph died in 1844 after a short illness when he was aged 51. He was buried in the burial ground of the Friends' meeting house in Buttermarket Street, Warrington.[19]
Crosfields after Joseph
The firm of Joseph Crosfield & Sons, Ltd. continued to thrive and grow after his death, producing a variety of chemicals.
The business passed to Sir
In 1911 the company was purchased by
See also
- Warrington Transporter Bridge (Bank Quay Transporter Bridge)
References
Citations
- ^ Musson, pp. 4–9.
- ^ Musson, p. 10.
- ^ a b "In remembrance of Percy Carter and William H Robinson". westlancsfreemasons.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ "Foundation of the Lodge of Friendship No 2963" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2018.
- ^ Musson, pp. 11–14.
- ^ Musson, pp. 13–17.
- ^ Musson, pp. 17–20.
- ^ Musson, p. 26.
- ^ Musson, p. 31.
- ^ Musson, p. 32.
- ^ Musson, p. 38.
- ^ Musson, pp. 39–40.
- ^ Musson, p. 23.
- ^ Musson, pp. 41–43.
- ^ Musson, pp. 44–46.
- ^ Musson, pp. 46–48.
- ^ Musson, pp. 50–53.
- ^ Musson, p. 17.
- ^ Musson, pp. 53–54.
- ^ Musson, p. 243.
- ^ Musson, p. 283.
- ^ The Times, 3 April 1998, p29
- ^ "INEOS Silicas". INEOS Group. Retrieved 16 April 2007.
- ^ "PQ Corporation, INEOS Silicas Merger Complete". Business Wire. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
Sources
- Musson, A. E. (1965). Enterprise in Soap and Chemicals: Joseph Crosfield & Sons, Limited 1815–1965. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
External links
- Claus Bernet (2009). "Crosfield, Joseph". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 30. Nordhausen: Bautz. cols. 218–220. ISBN 978-3-88309-478-6.