Charles Edward Gubbins

Charles Edward Gubbins (c1854-1935) of C. E. Gubbins

1935 Died.

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1935 Obituary

One of the best known men in the boot trade of Northampton, Mr. Charles Edward Gubbins, former proprietor of the Key Boot factory, Queen’s Park, died at mid-day on Sunday in St. Peter’s Hospital, London, He was 81. Mr. Gubbins retired from business 12 years ago. He lived at 13, Langham-place, Northampton. He leaves two sops, Mr. W. C. Gubbins, Bournemouth, and Mr. L, W. Gubbins, Weston Favell, and a daughter, Mrs. A. H. Johnson.

In August of last year Mr. Gubbins went to Ireland to investigate the economic position of the country. Sixty years ago he lived in Ireland for a few years and knew the country well. During his visit he called at the Dublin factory of Messrs. Padmore and Barnes, where he was highly pleased with everything he saw.

The Key Works business was founded the late Joseph Gibbs in 1868 and taken over Mr. Gubbins in 1900. He was then described as 'a thoroughly practical man, who has the business of shoe manufacturing at his fingers ends'. Under his guidance the factory's trade steadily increased, necessitating many additions in manufacturing accommodation.

Mr, Gubbins was associated with Unitarianism in Northampton for nearly 70 years. In 1927 spoke at the opening of the centenary celebrations Kettering-road Church. He said that when he was boy there were 13,000 inhabitants in Northampton. The largest factory in the town, he said, was the little warehouse opposite the Gas Offices in Wellington-street. In those days boot-making was not the staple industry; the revenue came from coaching. Sanitary conditions were bad, and Mr. Gubbins said he could recall the queues of people waiting to draw water from the pump on the Market Square, and the spring on the Racecourse. Many families were wiped out by fever, while some of his associates at school had their faces pitted with smallpox.

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