Ben James Fisher
Ben James Fisher (1838-1897)
1897 Obituary [1]
BEN JAMES FISHER, born in Gloucester on the 7th February, 1838, was the son of Mr. B. Fisher, a merchant of that city.
He was not fifteen when, in November, 1852, he was articled for five years to Mr. William Eassie, of Gloucester, an engineer and contractor, under whom he was engaged on what is now the South Wales system of the Great Western Railway.
In 1858 he was transferred to the Engineer's office at Paddington, where he remained until 1870, when he was appointed District Engineer at Bishopstoke to the London and South Western Railway.
In the following year he was transferred to the Western District at Exeter, with charge of the line west of Basingstoke, and that post he held until his death.
Among the works carried out since 1871 for which Mr. Fisher was responsible, may be mentioned the doubling of the line from Exeter to Crediton, the Sidmouth and Ilfracombe branches, the extension from Bideford to Torrington, the Plymouth extension, and the Holsworthy and Wadebridge branches. His duties brought him in contact with a large number of people, among whom he made several friends by his genial manner and kind disposition. He was a valued servant of the Company and was greatly appreciated by the Directors.
Mr. Fisher died at his residence, Hill's Court, Exeter, on the 22nd January, 1897.
He was elected an Associate on the 1st February, 1876, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 14th May, 1878.