Charles Clay (c1841-1906)
Charles Clay (c1841-1906) of Charles Clay and Sons
c.1874 Birth of son Charles Rupert Clay
1901 Living at 60 Manley Road, Withington, Lancs: Charles Clay (age 61 born Huddersfield), Hat Trimming Merchant and Employer. with his wife Elizabeth and sons Fred Clay (age 30 born Manchester), Travelling for Hat Trimmings; Charles R. Clay (age 26 born Manchester), Travelling for Hat Trimmings. Also his niece.[1]
1906 January. Died. 'On the 13th inst., suddenly at his residence at alley Range, Manchester, Charles Clay, in his 66th year; founder and senior partner the firm of Charles Clay and Sons, Manchester and Luton.[2]
1906 Obituary. 'In recording the death of Mr. Charles Clay, senior partner the firm of Charles Clay and Sons, manufacturers and merchants, of Manchester and Luton, the "Hatters" Gazette" says:— "Through practically the whole his business life Mr. Clay was closely associated with the trade in hat-trimmings, more especially with the galloon and satin branches. In 1861 commenced business for himself in Manchester as a trimmings merchant, and soon formed a wide connection among hat manufacturers of the district. His two sons, Fred and Charles Rupert, were taken into the business, and ultimately became partners, the style of the firm being Charles Clay and Sons. A branch of the business was established at Luton and was placed under the management of Mr. Charles Rupert Clay, and here also a large connection with the more southern branch of the hat trade was formed. At this branch the manufacturing of trimmings was introduced and became a material part the business. The articles made were chiefly linings and "tips" of the kinds used in the straw hat industry. At Manchester, the operations of the firm were confined to handling the goods as merchants, the extensive felt and wool hat manufacturing industry of Stockport, Deaton, and Bury making a large and continuous demand for galloons, linings, and tips. Among the manufacturers this northern branch of the trade the firm of Charles Clay became of high repute.'[3]