Richard Stockdale

Linen draper.

Brother in law of William Walter Cannon, Mayor of Bolton 1871-73.

Represented Derby Ward 1849-56. Alderman for Derby Ward 1856-68.

Worked on the scheme to pave the River Croal in the town centre 1853-56 and was involved in the building of the Fish Market and the Post Office on Bradshawgate.

During a meeting of the Markets Committee on 13 August 1856 he was physically attacked by Alderman N Wilson and a brief fist fight ensued.

Alderman Stockdale was later cleared of all blame for the incident.

Magistrate c. 1857.

Chairman of the Sanitary Committee 1861.

Chairman of the Town Hall Committee 1863.

Presented a silver key to the Earl of Bradford on the opening of Chorley Road Park May 1866.

Turned the first sod of the Wayoh Reservoir at Turton in the following July.

Towards the end of his time on the Council he became estranged from his political party and was accused of disloyalty by his fellow Liberals - his final, unsuccessful, attempt to remain an Alderman being supported by the Conservative members of the Council.

Overseer for Great Bolton 1839.

Secretary of the Industrial School 1854 and President of the Working Men's Club 1865.

Secretary of the Benevolent Society from 1839, retiring as President in 1871.

Treasurer of the Poor Protection Society for 27 years.

Treasurer of the Bolton Special Relief Fund during the Cotton Famine from 1863. He was presented wit an inscribed silver salver in 1865 for his work with the fund.

Director of the Bank of Bolton.

Wesleyan. Secretary of the first Wesleyan Day School in Bolton and a Sunday School teacher.

His wife, Harriet, was Mayoress.

His nephew, John Stockdale Hudson, was Mayor of Rochdale 1884-5.

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