Benjamin Round
Benjamin Round (1836-1900) of Round Brothers
1900 Obituary [1]
BENJAMIN ROUND died at his residence, Court Oak, Harborne, Staffordshire, on October 22, 1900. His death occurred whilst he was reading his newspaper, but it is believed that it was hastened by violent exertion which he had undertaken a few days previously at the Hange Furnaces, Tividale. The furnaces were being dismantled, and Mr. Round took up a hammer and helped in smashing some castings which were being got ready for the forthcoming sale of the plant and works. The Hange Furnaces have been celebrated for many years for the production of a brand of that all-mine pig iron which years ago made the iron industry of South Staffordshire famous. The dismantling is due to the fact that the furnaces have become obsolete, while the colliery, like so many more in the district, is waterlogged.
Mr. Round was the third son of Mr. John Round, of Daisy Bank, near Coseley. He was born on February 2, 1836, and was educated at Harrow School. Afterwards he joined his brothers at Tividale in working the Hange Furnaces and Collieries. In 1888 he formed, with four friends, a syndicate to acquire and work Rixon's blast-furnaces at Wellingborough, now known as the Wellingborough Iron Company, Limited, of which he was managing director until his death. He was a director and vice-chairman of the County of Stafford Bank.
He was an original member of the Iron and Steel Institute.