Henry Mechan

Sir Henry Mechan (c1856-1943) of Mechans

Born the son of Arthur Mechan

1943 'PUBLIC SERVANT AND BENEFACTOR. Death Of Sir Henry Mechan Glasgow has lost a notable public servant and generous benefactor by the death yesterday of Sir Henry Mechan, D.L., LL.D., at his home, 50 Cleveden Drive, at the age of 87. Sir Henry was chairman of Mechans, Ltd., Scotstoun Ironworks, Glasgow. A son of Mr Arthur Mechan, who was a well-known city business man and town councillor, Sir Henry was educated privately and at the old Anderston College before starting his apprenticeship in his father's firm. In early manhood he was assumed a partner, and took a prominent part in the development of the concern.
During the last war the firm established a record for the variety of products manufactured. Sir Henry all his life was interested in public health, and in 1923 he gifted to Glasgow University £25,000 to found the Chair of Public Health. He became associated with the Western Infirmary in 1905; acted for a short period as chairman of the board, and was vice-chairman from 1929 to 1938. He was a generous supporter of that institution, and he and Lady Mechan presented £5000 to in 1929 for the purchase of radium and necessary equipment for the treatment of cancer.
For a number of years he was a director of the Royal Samaritan Hospital for Women, Glasgow.
Political Services
A Unionist in politics and at one time convener of the Western Divisional Council of the Unionist Association, Sir Henry entered the political arena in 1910 as Unionist candidate for the then Western Division of Renfrewshire. He was defeated by a narrow majority. His services to the party were recognised in 1928, when was elected president of the Scottish Unionist Association. In the previous year the University had conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition his political, public, and philanthropic services in the West of Scotland. Sir Henry acted as assessor on the University Court on the invitation of Earl Baldwin, then Prime Minister and Lord Rector of the University. Sir Henry was an ex-Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen, member the Trades House of Glasgow, and had served as director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed Deputy- Lieutenant for the County and City of Glasgow in 1929. In his younger days he held commission in the 6th Lanark Rifle Volunteers. He was a patron of music and the arts. Sir Henry is survived by Lady Mechan, a daughter of the late Sir Andrew Blackwood Stewart.'

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