Page 486 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W.S.
contrasts— pithily expressed by Sir Leslie Stephen, when he described Owen as
" one of those intolerable bores who are the salt of the earth."
Patterson, Joseph (1828-1892).—Bom at Fiddler's Green, Whitley Bay,
he worked in a coal mine at seven years of age, eventually becoming under-
manager of the Shankhouse Colliery, Cramlington. A committee-man of the
West Cramlington Society from 1871 to 1880, and again from 1886 to 1887.
Elected to the C.W.S. Committee in December, 1874, he held office as secretary
of the Newcastle Branch, retiring in September, 1877. An active Methodist,
a Good Templar, and sometime a member of the Primrose League.
Pearson, Thomas (1839-1903).—A committee-man and sometime president
of the Eccles Provident Societj', in 1869 he was elected to the Committee of
the C.W.S., but resigned two years later. Early in 1872 he was appointed
provision buyer to the C.W.S., a post which he faithfully and capably filled
until his death.
Percival, James Marsden (1833-1895).—Born in Ardwick, Manchester.
Became a clerk with the Bridgewater Canal, and then an estate and insurance
agent. One of the founders of the Manchester and Salford Equitable Society,
projected at a meeting of the Roby Brotherhood on Clxristmas Eve, 1858.
President of that society, 1864-68, and " a thorough supporter of the Whole-
" became treasi_irer of the C.W.S. in 1868, holding that office until it was
sale;
abolished; afterwards accountant and then an auditor; last vacated a seat on
the directorate in 1882, when he became assistant buyer at New York to Mr.
Gledhill; in 1894 became the first C.W.S. representative in Montreal, and died
in office.
Pickersgill, J. (1839-1901).— By profession a cashier and broker, as nominee
of the Batley Carr Society he was appointed to the C.W.S. Committee in 1874,
retiring in 1877. A Wesleyan, and in politics a Liberal, he sought no office of
a public character except in the co-operative movement.
Pinkney, Thomas.—Of Newbottle. Associated with the C.W.S. Newcastle
Branch Committee at the start, he retired in March, 1875.
Pitman, Henry (1826-1909).—Co-operator, stenographer, vegetarian, and
anti-vaecinator. Younger brother of Sir Isaac Pitman, he was born at Trow-
bridge in 1826. About 1846 he lectin-ed on his brother's new system of
.shorthand, and in 1848, as professional reporter and teacher, he settled in
Manchester. Founded the Co-operator in 1860, and edited it until its decUne
after the institution of the Co-operative News. Advocated a C.W.S. in 1860,
and, later, became honorary representative of the Society. For forty years
the official reporter of the Co-operative Congresses, attending at Newcastle in
the year of his death. On one occasion he went to prison as an anti-vaccinator.
For over sixty years a strict vegetarian, he was also an advocate of temperance,
and interested in the United Ivingdom Alliance.
Pumphrey, Henry (1831-1908).—One of the founders of the Lewes Society
in 1865; first secretary and afterwards president. Elected to the C.W.S.
Committee (London Branch) in 1874, weus secretary of the Branch for twenty
years, and also vice-chairman; retired in March, 1907, after more than thirty-
two years' service. A town coimcillor of Lewes from 1881 to 1883.
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