Engineer, Ironfounder and Millwright of Stanningley Iron Works, near Leeds.
c1820 Business founded by Joseph Butler (1797-1870)
1828 July: Joseph Butler (1797-1870) moved to Stanningley and, in partnership with two or three others, started in business in a small way as ironfounder - see Butler and Taylor.
After a few years, the firm added engineering and railway-plant manufacturing to their business; Joseph's son, John Butler acquired his practical knowledge there.
1838 the business was taken over by Mr. Joseph Butler alone (Joseph Butler and Co). With his son they started making iron bridges, the first for the Leeds and Selby Railway. They also made the ironwork for the roof of the station at York, and for numerous other large structures.
1851 became Messrs. Butler and Pitts.
1870 Joseph Pitts died.
Joseph's son John Butler took over the business and changed the name; also known as John Butler and Co
1871 Constructed the ironwork for the new Leeds Bridge[1]
1880 Commenced building steam cranes
1884 at the time of John Butler's death the firm employed from 800 to 1000 workmen.
1912 'A new bridge for the Great Central Railway Company over the canal at Long Sandall, Doncaster, was fitted yesterday. It has a span of 112 feet, and has been built by Messrs. Butler and Sons, Stanningley, Leeds. It takes the place of an old wrought iron bridge.'[2]. The bridge is presumably the one shown here, over the Don Navigation. There is another bridge over the adjacent River Don, shown here.
1930s Company closed