Page 487 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Biographical Index. -
Robinson, William (1833-1906).—A paper maker by trade, chairman for
twenty years of the Shotley Bridge Society, now amalgamated with Consett.
Elected to the C.W.S. Committee (Newcastle Branch) in 1877, he retired in
1884. A member of the Benfreedside Local Board.
Rule, Thomas (1822).—Born at Norham. A slater and plasterer by trade,
he became a teacher for about twelve years, but for reasons of health after-
wards returned to his old trade. A founder and for thirty years a worker in
the Gateshead Society; is a J.P., and was sometime a member of the Gateshead
Town Council. Elected to the C.W.S. Committee in 1893, he retired in 1903.
Rutherford, John Hunter (1820-1890).—Born at Jedburgh. Preached in the
open air at Newcastle to large congregations in 1 849 ; formed a church called the
Gospel Diffusion Church; Congregational preacher at Bath Lane, Newcastle
on-Tyne. L.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P., Edinbiu-gh, 1869, and had a large practice
as a medical man. Temperance advocate and educational reformer, and
prominent in the co-operative movement through the Industrial Bank and the
Ousebiirn Works in the seventies. His funeral at Newcastle was attended by
10,000 persons.
Scotton, Amos (1833-1904).—Born near Leicester, but "essentially a
' Darbean.' " A painter by trade. Joined the Derby Society in 1858;
secretary. Midland Sectional Board from 1877 to 1891; chairman of the Derby
Congress in 1884; joint author with G. J. Holyoake of the History of the
Derby Society. Elected to the C.W.S. Committee in 1890, and a member
until his death.
Shillito, John.—See page 394.
Shorrocks, Thomas (1834-1911).—A weaver and ultimately a cotton manu-
facturer. One of the first members of the Darwen Industrial Society, and a
member of that society's committee for twenty years. Served on the C.W.S.
Committee from May to November, 1871. A staunch Liberal and Noncon-
formist.
Smithies, James (1819-1869).—Born at Huddersfield. Received a fair
education, and at Roclidale was apprenticed to a wool-stapler, in which
business he set up for himseK. Howarth, Cooper, Daly, and other Rochdale
pioneers frequently met at his house in " Henland." Smithies is credited
with having looked beyond the Pioneers' beginning to wholesale trading and
shipowning, the idea of " sailing our own ships " being for some reason a
common ambition of Rochdale men from Smithies to Mitchell. A pioneer
of the C.W.S. and an " original member," he served on the first Committee
elected, insisting upon attending a meeting at Manchester although in ill-
health shortly before his death. Personal friends declared that he gave to
co-operation the effort that otherwise would have made him a rich man. A
town councillor of Rochdale, his funeral at Rochdale Cemetery was an event
publicly honoured.
Stansfield, John (1828-1906).—A member of the Heckmondwike Society;
elected to the C.W.S. Committee in 1874, serving in that capacity until 1898;
helped in the establishment of the C.W.S. boot factory at Heckmondwike.
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