Harold W. Whiston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1873
Harold W. Whiston | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harold Walter Whiston 1873 |
| Died | 12 January 1952 (aged 78) Macclesfield |
| Occupation | Magistrate |
| Spouse |
Alice Proctor (m. 1896) |
Harold Walter Whiston (1873 – 12 January 1952) was an English businessman, magistrate and activist for anti-vaccination and vegetarianism.
Whiston was educated at Tettenhall College and Owen's College in Staffordshire.[1] As a young man he worked with his father Alderman William Whiston who owned and managed Langley Silk Printing Works. In 1901, he became a partner of the business and was the sole owner after his father died in 1915.[1] He registered the business as a limited company under the title of William Whiston & Sons Ltd and became governing director. In 1929, the company was amalgamated under the title of Brocklehurst Whiston Amalgamated.[1][2] He became director of the combined company until his retirement in 1951.[1]
Whiston was the senior Magistrate in Macclesfield, having been appointed as Justice of Peace in 1914.[3] He was appointed chairman of Macclesfield County Magistrates in 1941. He was also chairman of the Licensing Justices and of the Juvenile Court.[3][4] He resigned as chairman in 1949 from injuries sustained from an accident falling down steps inside Macclesfield Town Hall, but continued to sit on the bench as a magistrate.[3][5][6]
He was chairman of the Liberal Party Macclesfield Division, a position he held from 1906.[7][8] He was active in the temperance movement as president of the Band of Hope Union. He resigned in 1911 to focus on political issues.[9] He became president of the Liberal Party Macclesfield Division and was invited to become a candidate but was unable to accept because of business demands.[7][1]