#14155, John LEWIS

John Lewis was brought up by his Crossley grandmother at Dean Clough, Halifax. For a short time, he was in partnership with his uncle, Robert Crossley at Albion Mills. From 1858 to 1870, he was in partnership with John Brinton, at Vicar Street, Kidderminster, under the style of "Brinton & Lewis". He lived at Hill Grove, Kidderminster. In 1870, he withdrew from the partnership owing to ill-health.

From 1870-72, he was Director of John Crossley & Sons (as nominee of his uncle Sir Francis Crossley). He lived at Savile Hall, Halifax. In 1872, he resigned after a disagreement with other directors, thereafter began business as a carpet manufacturer on his own account in Halifax, with an office in London; From 1883-85, he was in partnership with Edmund Potter at Caldwall Carpet Mills in Kidderminster, under the style of "Potter & Lewis"; later in Hampstead, acting as a carpet travelling salesman, moving around with carpet samples in a suitcase.

He suffered a stroke and for the last seven years of his life, he was paralysed and looked after by his daughter Margaret in Westcliff-on-Sea. He died at Branksome, 32 Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

John Lewis is buried at All Saints' Churchyard, Salterhebble, Halifax.

Taken from the family records of Robert (Robin) Morley Fletcher (1935-2015)

Vanessa Griffith - November 2019