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Biographical Index*
Edwards, John Charles (1833-1881).—A mechanic who gave his Sundays
to open-air temperance work; preached co-operation throughout Lancashire
and Yorkshire; a founder and the first president of the Manchester and
Salford Equitable Society; an " original member " of the C.W.S., and secretary
and cashier from the start until 1868. An active politician, friend of J. S.
Mill and Louis Blanc, he planned the meeting which resulted in the Union and
Emancipation Society, serving as honorary secretary till the victory of the
abolitionists' cause in America.
Fairclough, James (1835-1911).—Born at Barnsley, the son of handloom
weavers; committee-man of Barnsley Society for twenty-nine years, and
president for sixteen. Elected to the Committee of the C.W.S. in 1895, and
died in office. Served briefly as director of the Co-operative Newspaper
Society.
Fishwick, Jonathan (1832-1908).—An insurance agent, took active early
interest in co-operation; committee-man of Bolton Society; member of C.W.S.
Committee, 1871—1872. Described in the Bolton History as a fearless and
earnest advocate of trade unionism. One of the founders of National Union
of Life Assurance Agents, and cluef founder of the Assurance Agents'
Chronicle.
Fowe, Thomas (d. 1894).—Until 1873 first secretary to the Southern
Section of the Co-operative Union. Nominated by Buckfastleigh Society, he was
a member and secretary of the C.W.S. London Branch Committee, 1874-1878.
A member of the Reform League and its treasurer for three years ; at one time
an active secretary of the " Working Men's Committee on Public Worship,"
he afterwards joined the secularists. From its beginning until his death he
was treasurer of what is now the A.U.C.E.
Fox, James Challinor 1837-1877).—Began liis work with meagre educational
(
advantages, wliich handicap he studied hard to remove. A born propagandist
and lecturer (addressing a meeting of 2,000 persons at the age of sixteen), he
worked for co-operation from 1858. Struggled hard to save the Manchester
Industrial Society; was secretary of its phoenix, the Hulme Pioneers; served
on the C.W.S. Committee from 1868-1871, and for some time acted as secretary.
Auditor from 1 872 to his decease. An ardent temperance lecturer and reformer.
Fryer, George.—Was elected to the C.W.S. Committee from the CramHngton
Society, serving from 1883 to 1887.
Gibson, Robert (1843).—A building contractor's cashier and chief clerk in
Newcastle-on-Tyne when elected to the C.W.S. Committee in 1890. For
several years he served as secretary to the Newcastle Branch, retu-ing in 1910.
He is a life governor of the Newcastle Royal Infirmary.
Gilchrist, Ephraim (1828-1912).—A waterman by trade and for many years
secretary of the Tyne Watermen's Association, which office he held till his
decease. Nominated by the Wallsend Society, he was elected to the Committee
of the C.W.S. in 1873, retiring the following year.
Goodey, James F. (1834-1910).—An East Anglian, born at Halstead. First
secretary and afterwards president of the Colchester Society. Elected to the
C.W.S. London Branch Committee in 1878, retiring in 1885 to act as architect
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