Page 473 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Biographical Index.

THIS book contains the story of the Co-operative Wholesale Society rather
than that of any person who has played a part in the Society's history.
At the same time it would be imfair to let the necessarily-casual personal
references of the narrative stand unsupplemonted. The soul of an association
is in its personalities; and although the very condensed particulars that follow
may constitute little more than a directory, the short references to social,
political, and religious activities should at any rate suggest portraits of the men
who have built up the C.W.S. With a very few exceptions the notices are of
persons who are no longer with us, or whose active work for the Society is over.
Allen, Robert (1827-1877).—A member of the Oldham Equitable Society,
he was elected to the C.W.S. Committee in August, 1871, and died in office.
He was also a keen temperance worker. " A grand speaker (writes one who
knew him), he did much to popularise the C.W.S., and kiUed a lot of prejudice
that was meat and drink to private traders."
Ashworth, Samuel (1825-1871).—A cotton operative and a chartist, and
the youngest of the Rochdale Pioneers of 1844. He did three months' work
without wages at Toad Lane, and then became their first paid counterman.
In 1866 he resigned the management at Rochdale to become the C.W.S. buyer,
but he broke down in health, and died five years later. In March, 1913, Ills
wife, still living in Rochdale as IVIrs. Ashworth, attained her ninetieth year,
and received the congratulations of the local press.
Atkinson, Humphrey (1839-1902).—Elected to the C.W.S. Newcastle
Committee from the Blaydon-on-Tyne Society in 1873, retiring in 1879.
Liberal, and a Congregationalist.
Atkinson, John (1845-1890).—A master blacksmith. Elected to the
Committee from the Wallsend Society in 1883, and died in office in 1890. He
represented the Wallsend Society on the local governing body for many years.
A Liberal and an active Primitive Methodist.
Baraford, Samuel (1848-1898).—For twenty-two years editor of the
Co-operative News. Born near Rochdale, he was largely self-taught, his desire
at one time being to enter the Wesleyan ministry, but joui-nalism claimed
him. His public life work is contained in the files of the News. When
appointed its editor the circulation was about 11,000, and the society was
heavily in debt to the printers. At his death it had its own buildings and
printing plant and a circulation of 50,000. It was said that he had not time
for a holiday during the last twenty years of his life. For nine years ho served
on the committee of the Manchester and Salford Society, and for three years
was its president.
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