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John Hutchinson (industrialist)
Encyclopedia
John Hutchinson was a chemist
and industrialist
who established the first chemical
factory in Widnes
, Lancashire
, England. He moved from working in a chemical factory in St Helens
and built his own chemical factory in 1847 in the Woodend area of Widnes near to Widnes Dock
by the junction of the Sankey Canal
and the River Mersey
. In this factory he manufactured alkali
by the Leblanc process
.
He later opened a second alkali factory nearby and developed a number of other business interests. He died at the early age of 40 by which time a number of other chemical factories had opened in the town.
but moved to Liverpool
where John was born. His father, also named John, had held a commission
in the Royal Navy
and served under Nelson
during the Napoleonic Wars
. In Liverpool he was a shipbroker
and he acted as a Lloyd's
agent. Nothing is known of John junior's early education until he was a student in Paris
where he met Andrew George Kurtz, the son of Andrew Kurtz who owned an alkali factory in St Helens. Hutchinson was subsequently given a post at this factory.
where it entered the River Mersey
and the terminus of the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway
where Widnes Dock
, the first railway dock in the world, had been established. This area was later to form part of what was later known as Spike Island
. By 1851 Hutchinson was employing 100 men. His first works manager was Henry Deacon
but Deacon left to found his own alkali factory nearby in 1853. When Hutchinson arrived in Widnes there was plenty of available labour, partly because of the immigration of Irish
unskilled men due to the potato famine.
In 1859 Hutchinson built his No 2 Works on land he acquired from William Gossage
between Gossage's factory, on the other side of the Sankey Canal, and Waterloo Road, where he also built the Tower Building to house his office. In 1861 John Brunner
came to work at Hutchinson's, joining his older brother Henry, and he was soon appointed as the office manager. In 1862 the German
chemist Ludwig Mond
also joined Hutchinson's and a friendship developed between the Brunners and Mond. The association between John Brunner and Ludwig Mond was later to develop into the chemical business of Brunner Mond and Company
in Northwich
.
Around 1853 Hutchinson entered into partnership with Oswald Earle who had interests in the lime
business and they traded as "Hutchinson and Earle". It is likely that Earle was the selling agent for this business. In addition to his alkali factories, Hutchinson had interests in quarry
ing, building and farming. He eventually owned more than 350 acres (1.4 km²) of land. He had his own private gasworks
near his home in Appleton from which he supplied to gas to customers living nearby. He developed land to the west of his factories on Widnes Marsh and Moor where other industrialists built their factories and where another dock, West Bank Dock was built. This area was connected to the Warrington
-Widnes-Garston
railway by lines owned privately by Hutchinson. Hutchinson was also the owner of the first privately-owned locomotive
in the town. By the time of his death in 1865 Hutchinson was employing 600 men.
but he played no part in local government
. He had intended to stand as a candidate for Parliament
but he died before this was achieved. He stated that in religion he was a Protestant
but he rarely attended a place of worship. However he formed good relations with priests from both the Roman Catholic
and the Anglican
churches.
but who was a member of an old Cheshire and Shropshire
family. They lived throughout their marriage in Appleton Lodge, Widnes, and had five children, three daughters and two sons.
In 1865 at the age of 40 years Hutchinson died at his home. The cause of his death was certified as consumption
and his estate was valued at under £50,000. During his life the population of Widnes had increased almost fivefold. His contemporaries called him "the father of Widnes".
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
and industrialist
Business magnate
A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a capitalist, czar, mogul, tycoon, baron, oligarch, or industrialist, is an informal term used to refer to an entrepreneur who has reached prominence and derived a notable amount of wealth from a particular industry .-Etymology:The word magnate itself...
who established the first chemical
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
factory in Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England. He moved from working in a chemical factory in St Helens
St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
and built his own chemical factory in 1847 in the Woodend area of Widnes near to Widnes Dock
Widnes Dock
Widnes Dock was situated on the River Mersey at Widnes.It was built in 1833 between the end of the Sankey Canal and the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway. It was the first rail-to-ship facility in the world. The remains of the dock are to be found on Spike Island.-External links:*...
by the junction of the Sankey Canal
Sankey Canal
The Sankey Canal, which is also known as the Sankey Brook Navigation and the St Helens Canal, is a canal in Cheshire, extending into Merseyside, in the northwest of England, connecting St Helens with the River Mersey...
and the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
. In this factory he manufactured alkali
Alkali
In chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Some authors also define an alkali as a base that dissolves in water. A solution of a soluble base has a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base,...
by the Leblanc process
Leblanc process
The Leblanc process was the industrial process for the production of soda ash used throughout the 19th century, named after its inventor, Nicolas Leblanc. It involved two stages: Production of sodium sulfate from sodium chloride, followed by reaction of the sodium sulfate with coal and calcium...
.
He later opened a second alkali factory nearby and developed a number of other business interests. He died at the early age of 40 by which time a number of other chemical factories had opened in the town.
Early life
The Hutchinson family came from DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
but moved to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
where John was born. His father, also named John, had held a commission
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and served under Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
during the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
. In Liverpool he was a shipbroker
Shipbroking
Shipbroking is a financial service, which forms part of the global shipping industry. Shipbrokers are specialist intermediaries/negotiators between shipowners and charterers who use ships to transport cargo, or between buyers and sellers of ships.Some brokerage firms have developed into large...
and he acted as a Lloyd's
Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's, also known as Lloyd's of London, is a British insurance and reinsurance market. It serves as a partially mutualised marketplace where multiple financial backers, underwriters, or members, whether individuals or corporations, come together to pool and spread risk...
agent. Nothing is known of John junior's early education until he was a student in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where he met Andrew George Kurtz, the son of Andrew Kurtz who owned an alkali factory in St Helens. Hutchinson was subsequently given a post at this factory.
Chemical business
In 1847 Hutchinson, at the age of 22, obtained a lease of land in Widnes, where he established his first factory, Hutchinson's No 1 Works. This was built between the terminus of the Sankey CanalSankey Canal
The Sankey Canal, which is also known as the Sankey Brook Navigation and the St Helens Canal, is a canal in Cheshire, extending into Merseyside, in the northwest of England, connecting St Helens with the River Mersey...
where it entered the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
and the terminus of the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway
St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway
St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, later known as St Helens Railway, was an early railway company in Lancashire, England, which opened in 1833. It ran originally from the town of St Helens to the area which would later develop into the town of Widnes. Branches were opened to Garston, Warrington...
where Widnes Dock
Widnes Dock
Widnes Dock was situated on the River Mersey at Widnes.It was built in 1833 between the end of the Sankey Canal and the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway. It was the first rail-to-ship facility in the world. The remains of the dock are to be found on Spike Island.-External links:*...
, the first railway dock in the world, had been established. This area was later to form part of what was later known as Spike Island
Spike Island
Spike Island may refer to one of several places:Australia:* Spike Island England:* Spike Island, Bristol* Spike Island, Cheshire, an area of Halton* Spike Island, former name for Northumberland Heath, London...
. By 1851 Hutchinson was employing 100 men. His first works manager was Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon (industrialist)
Henry Deacon was a chemist and industrialist who established a chemical factory in Widnes, Lancashire, England.Henry Deacon's father was also named Henry Deacon and his mother was Esther Deacon, his father's cousin. The family were members of the Sandemanian church, one of whose members, Michael...
but Deacon left to found his own alkali factory nearby in 1853. When Hutchinson arrived in Widnes there was plenty of available labour, partly because of the immigration of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
unskilled men due to the potato famine.
In 1859 Hutchinson built his No 2 Works on land he acquired from William Gossage
William Gossage
William Gossage was a chemical manufacturer who established a soap making business in Widnes, Lancashire, England.-Early life:...
between Gossage's factory, on the other side of the Sankey Canal, and Waterloo Road, where he also built the Tower Building to house his office. In 1861 John Brunner
John Tomlinson Brunner
Sir John Tomlinson Brunner, 1st Baronet, DL was a British chemical industrialist and Liberal Party politician. At Hutchinson's alkali works in Widnes he rose to the position of general manager...
came to work at Hutchinson's, joining his older brother Henry, and he was soon appointed as the office manager. In 1862 the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
chemist Ludwig Mond
Ludwig Mond
Dr Ludwig Mond , was a German-born chemist and industrialist who took British nationality.-Education and career:...
also joined Hutchinson's and a friendship developed between the Brunners and Mond. The association between John Brunner and Ludwig Mond was later to develop into the chemical business of Brunner Mond and Company
Brunner Mond
Tata Chemicals Europe is a UK-based chemicals company that is a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals Limited, itself a part of the India-based Tata Group...
in Northwich
Northwich
Northwich is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It lies in the heart of the Cheshire Plain, at the confluence of the rivers Weaver and Dane...
.
Around 1853 Hutchinson entered into partnership with Oswald Earle who had interests in the lime
Lime (mineral)
Lime is a general term for calcium-containing inorganic materials, in which carbonates, oxides and hydroxides predominate. Strictly speaking, lime is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. It is also the name for a single mineral of the CaO composition, occurring very rarely...
business and they traded as "Hutchinson and Earle". It is likely that Earle was the selling agent for this business. In addition to his alkali factories, Hutchinson had interests in quarry
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
ing, building and farming. He eventually owned more than 350 acres (1.4 km²) of land. He had his own private gasworks
Gasworks
A gasworks or gas house is a factory for the manufacture of gas. The use of natural gas has made many redundant in the developed world, however they are often still used for storage.- Early gasworks :...
near his home in Appleton from which he supplied to gas to customers living nearby. He developed land to the west of his factories on Widnes Marsh and Moor where other industrialists built their factories and where another dock, West Bank Dock was built. This area was connected to the Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
-Widnes-Garston
Garston, Merseyside
Garston is a district of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is bordered by Aigburth, Allerton, and Speke.-History:Gaerstun, meaning 'grazing settlement' or 'grazing farm' in Old English, is one possible root of the name....
railway by lines owned privately by Hutchinson. Hutchinson was also the owner of the first privately-owned locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
in the town. By the time of his death in 1865 Hutchinson was employing 600 men.
Politics and religion
Hutchinson was politically a LiberalLiberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
but he played no part in local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
. He had intended to stand as a candidate for Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
but he died before this was achieved. He stated that in religion he was a Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
but he rarely attended a place of worship. However he formed good relations with priests from both the Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and the Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
churches.
Personal life
In 1850 Hutchinson married Mary Elizabeth Kinsey who had been born in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
but who was a member of an old Cheshire and Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
family. They lived throughout their marriage in Appleton Lodge, Widnes, and had five children, three daughters and two sons.
In 1865 at the age of 40 years Hutchinson died at his home. The cause of his death was certified as consumption
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and his estate was valued at under £50,000. During his life the population of Widnes had increased almost fivefold. His contemporaries called him "the father of Widnes".