Thomas Ivers

Chairman of Farnworth Local Board: 1897-99 (Liberal)

Chairman of Farnworth Urban District Council: 1904-06 (Liberal)

Born: Clifton, Lancashire January 1834

Died: Granville House, Bolton Road, Moses Gate, Farnworth 24 August 1911

Educated: Clifton Day School; Farnworth Grammar School

Cotton spinner.

Worked for his father from age of 13. His father Samuel Ivers invented an improvement to the drawing frame which he fitted at various mills and at age 13 Thomas assisted him with this work. 

At 15 he began work at Thomas Barnes & Co, cotton spinners in Moses Gate, soon being promoted to loom overlooker. At 27 he was appointed manager of the firm's mills, a post he held for 38 years, eventually becoming a Director of the company.

County Magistrate 1907.

As a Liberal activist he took his fair share of work at election times whether for the Local board or Parliament.  He was one of the first members of Farnworth Reform Club and served as its President for two years. 

He first represented North East Ward and then North Ward, being a member of the Local Board and UDC for 16 years.

He was elected a County Magistrate in June 1907. 

He was one of the original members of Farnworth Cricket Club, an interest he maintained all his life.

Congregationalist - he was a seat holder and regular worshipper at Market Street Congregational Church.

He married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Hodson of Great Lever and his second wife was her cousin Mary Ann Hodson.

One of his sons, John Gladstone Ivers, became a doctor.

His grandson (son of the above), Harold Bradley Ivers, was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 while serving as a Lieutenant in the 1/8th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers.

Mr A Tyldesley, assistant clerk to the Justices at the County Police Court said:

"Mr Ivers death was deeply regretted for he was a most useful and willing member of the Bench, kindly disposed and sympathetic. In an unostentatious way too, he was a most generous supporter of those in distress and would be a much missed man in Farnworth."