Handel Cossham
Handel Cossham (1824-1890) was a British colliery owner, lay preacher and Liberal Party politician who was active in local government in Bristol and sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1890.
1824 March 31st. Born in High Street, Thornbury the son of Jesse Cossham, a carpenter.
1848 Married Elizabeth Wethered
1851 Began the Parkfield Colliery in Pucklechurch in partnership with his wife's family. The partnership opened several other coal pits, initially under the name of Cossham and Wethered Ltd.
1867 Business continued as the Kingswood Coal and Iron Co
1879 Kingswood and Parkfield Colliery Company Ltd formed to continue the business as a partnership between Handel Cossham and Charles S. Wills.
1899 April 23rd. Died in London
1900 His collieries were sold at auction for £61,000 and the proceeds were used to fund the building of Cossham Memorial Hospital in Kingswood, Bristol.