John Hartley, 1857 - 1858

Hartley was born at Dumbarton on 11th February 1813 to Methodist parents. He was a religious man and a generous philanthropist who advocated the education of children. He was associated with Wesleyan Methodism in Wolverhampton from 1835 as well as with the Birmingham Methodists where he was Steward of the Poor. He founded Trinity Chapel, donating land and money to the value of £3500 to enable its erection in 1862. He also contributed £1000 to the building of Darlington Street Chapel. Hartley became a successful glass manufacturer succeeding his father, a local preacher, in the Smethwick firm of Chance & Sons. Hartley married Emma, the second daughter of George Thorneycroft, in 1839 and they lived at The Oaks, Wolverhampton. Around 1873 they moved to Tong Castle in Shropshire. They had three daughters, two of whom were called Alice and Constance, and a son who would become the Reverend JT Hartley. John Hartley eventually sold his holdings to become an ironmaster in the new firm of Thorneycroft, Hartley, Kesteven & Perks. He became a Magistrate of the Borough around 1848, County Mayor in 1851, and Mayor during 1858. Several years later he became Deputy Lieutenant for the County, and in 1870 High Sheriff of Staffordshire. He supported Edward Perry during his 1855 campaign to raise the voluntary rate following the Council's dispute with Wolverhampton Waterworks Company. Hartley died on the 30th October 1884, aged seventy-one. The Hartley family grave is at Tong parish church.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 1 (EJ Rowland, Wolverhampton)
Wolverhampton Chronicle 26th September 1877 (An account of the marriage of his daughter Alice)
Tribute Wolverhampton Chronicle 8th April 1885.
WH Jones 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd Ltd London)
Article in Wolverhampton Magazine 'There was 'Distress' Against the Town Hall' Vol 1, No 2 August 1963 pp.16-17. L07SR (L92THO)
A Perry. 1997 The Fowler Legacy. (Brewin Books, Warwickshire)
Photograph Index - Y1/HAR, Y1/MAY/1 and OV/54, 55.