Page 492 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Chairman of the Society.
BY reason of his long connection with the C.W.S., his vigorous old age, and
his personality, Mr. John Shillito, the chairman of the Society, occupies
in 1913 an exceptional position. Born near Halifax on January 19th, 1832, he
started work at ten years of age, and, in his own words, " has never given up
yet." He was apprenticed to card wire drawing in his native town, an industry
connected with carpet making, and afterwards rose to a post of control in a
wire-drawing business, a position which ho held for thirty years. His connec-
tion with co-operation dates from 1865, when he joined the Halifax Industrial
Society, of which he is still a member. He was first elected to the C.W.S.
Committee in November, 1870, appearing on the executive only some twelve
months later than J. T. W. Mitchell. He retired in August, 1871, but
reappeared in December, 1883. As vice-chairman at the time of Mitchell's
death in 1895, he assisted the then chairman on the last journey of the latter
from London to Rochdale, helped him to his home, and spoke very soon after-
wards at his graveside. His election to the chair thus vacated was unanimous.
Speaking at a dinner given by Mr. Shillito in March, 1910, Mr. Tweddell, the
vice-chairinan, said : "When Mr. J. T. W. Mitchell was taken from amongst
tliein, it was upon his (Mr. Tweddell's) motion that Mr. Shillito was appointed
chairman, and he simply interpreted the unanimous opinion of the board.
There was nothing he could look back upon with greater pleasure than that
incident, and the selection of Mr. Shillito had been justified a thousand times
over. It had been justified by his industry, his grasp and knowledge of the
details of the bvisiness, his honesty of purpose, his strict integrity, and by his
kind and genial disposition, which everybody present had experienced."
Although most of his early education was obtained at the local mechanics'
institute, Mr. Shillito is an F.R.G.S., being keenly interested in geographical
research. One of his most prized recollections is that of having entertained
Captain Scott at Balloon Street, shortly before the explorer's tragic journey
to the South Pole. His educational interests are also indicated by the fact
that for six years he was a member of the Halifax School Board. A Liberal and
a Free Trader (rememboring the "hungry forties"), in religion the C.W.S.
chairman is a Unitarian, having been connected for over forty years with the
Northgate End Chapel in Halifax.
In December, 1910, Mr. Sliillito was the recipient of a portrait of hin:iself,
painted by Mr. Walter Emsley and subscribed for by his colleagues on the
C.W.S. Committee, the auditors and scrutineers, and the chief employees.
An illuminated address accompanied the portrait, to record " the expression
of our warmest affection and highest esteem." Mr. Tweddell, who made the
presentation, also asked the acceptance by Mrs. Shillito of a silver tea and
coffee service. The portrait now hangs in the C.W.S. boardroom at the
headquarters of the Society in Manchester, facing that of J. T. W. Mitchell.
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