John Losh (1756-1814)
John Losh (1756-1814) founded Walker Alkali Works, later Losh, Wilson and Bell
1757 March 29th Baptism at St. Cuthbert, Carlisle, the son of John Losh (1723-1789) and his wife Catherine Liddell (1729-1789)
1784 Married at Boldon to Isabella Bonner
1785 Birth of daughter Sarah
1786 Birth of son John Losh (1786-1787). Died inf.
1788 Birth of daughter Katherine Isabella (1788-1835)
1789 Birth of son Joseph Losh (1789-1848)
John was a landowner and industrial entrepreneur of Woodside, near Carlisle.
1790 With Archibald Dundonald and his brother William Losh, John experimented on the production of synthetic soda from salt at Woodside near Carlisle.
c1793 Walker Alkali Works set up on the Tyne - the original partners were Dundas and Dundonald, Messrs. Aubany and John Surtees, and John and William Losh.
1797 the Losh family inherited a share in a coalmine on the Tyne at Walker in which a brine spring had been discovered. This provided a private source of salt for making soda. They avoided the duty on salt by evaporating the brine together with sulphuric acid, thus forming sulphate of soda[1]
He extended his interests into the chemical industry on Tyneside
1803 Thomas Wilson moved to Tyneside to join the engineering company run by John Losh.
1807 The firm became Losh and Wilson
1812 High Sheriff of Cumberland.[2]
1814 March 28th. Died. In his will, John Losh of Woodside, Cumberland, mentions his two daughters Sarah and Katherine Isabella and his natural son Joseph, the son of Mary James. Witnesses are James Losh, Cecilia Losh and C. Begbie. Sarah inherited the Walker Alkali Works.
"LOSH, JOHN. Adm. pens, at Trinity Hall, June 19, 1775. [Eldest son of John, of Woodside, Cumberland.] Scholar, 1775; matric. Lent, 1776. Adm. at the Middle Temple, Apr. 1, 1775 Travelled on the Continent. Partner in the firm of Walker Alkali, Co., 1797. Married, c. 1785, Isabella, dau. of Thomas Bonner, of Callerton, and had issue. Of Woodside, Cumberland. Died 1814, aged 59. Monumental Inscription at Wreay. Brother of James (1782). {Inns of Court; Welford, Men of Mark 'twixt Tyne and Tweed; C. R. Hudleston .}"[3]