John Dickinson (c.1838-1896)
John Dickinson (c.1838-1896) of Devonshire Works, Keighley
Previously Ambler and Dickinson
1888. Partnership dissolved. '...Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Moses Ambler and John Dickinson, carrying on business as Machine Tool Makers, at Devonshire Works, Keighley, in the county of York, under the style or firm of Ambler and Dickinson, has been dissolved, by mutual consent, as and from the 13th day of February, 1883. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said John Dickinson...'[1]
Business continued as John Dickinson and Co (Keighley)
1896 Obituary. 'DEATH OF THE EX-MAYOR OF KEIGHLEY. MR. JOHN DICKINSON'S CAREER. At a quarter to three o'clock this morning Mr. John Dickinson, the ex- Mayor of Keighley, passed away at his residence, Larkfield Farm, aged 58 years, after an illness extending over about five weeks. Mr. Dickinson was born at Ley Brow, Oakworth, and started life as a bellows' blower in a country forge. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed as a turner to Hattersley & Son, Keighley, who at that time were discontinuing spindle making in favour of loom making. At the age of 20 he was working as a journeyman in Burnley, but soon returned to Keighley. A little over 30 years ago he and three others started business as machine tool makers, a business which grew and eventually assumed considerable proportions. The deceased has been the sole partner in the firm for a dozen years. He served for three years on the Keighley Board of Guardians, and was in his sixth year of membership of the Town Council.
Last November, when all the members of the Council had to seek re-election owing to an enlargement of the borough boundaries, Mr. Dickinson was rejected at the polls in the East Ward, but was returned a fortnight later at the by-election. In many departments of corporate work Mr. Dickinson rendered some capital service. A few years ago the deceased gentleman purchased a farm on the hillside the north of Keighley, where he showed the spirit of progress which had always animated him by lighting all the farm buildings with electric light. He was a Liberal in politics and a Baptist in religion, occuping a seat in the Baptist Chapel choir as a tenor singer for 20 years. He also belonged to well-known local glee party. Mr. Dickinson leaves a widow and an adopted daughter.
At the Keighley Police Court, this morning, the Mayor (Mr. R. Edrnondson) and Mr. Naylor (on behalf bar) made sympathetic references to the death.'[2]