John Whittaker (1840-1909)
John Whittaker (1840-1909)
1909 Obituary [1]
JOHN WHITTAKER was born at Royton, near Oldham, on 20th May 1840.
He served his apprenticeship from 1854 to 1860 at the Bent Grange Iron Works, Oldham, and then became a draughtsman in his father's works, namely, the Sun Iron Works, Oldham.
For over fifty years he was actively engaged in business as a colliery-engine builder, and recently the manufacture of cotton-mill machinery was added.
His chief invention was a machine for the moulding of gear wheels of all descriptions, which machine is the principal one made by the firm.
He was manager of the works from 1870, and had been a partner since 1884.
His death took place at Birkdale, near Southport, on 17th August 1909, at the age of sixty-nine.