Ickringill, James (1842-1924)

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Transcription of article published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Rev. John W Chappell

IN that world of commercial activity which has its centre in the city of Bradford, the name of Ickringill exercises a remarkable influence. It represents qualities of high integrity and sympathetic consideration. It is held in honour in the worsted industry the whole world over, and it is affectionately esteemed by the many employees who entertain an almost filial regard for James Ickringill, the founder and head of the great business house known as Ira Ickringill and Co., Ltd.

This immense industrial concern, with large mills both at Keighley and Bradford, enjoying the reputation of being the largest firm of worsted spinners in the world, sprang into existence through the enterprise, and has been developed by the rare genius, of this great-souled man. He was born at Keighley on November 9th, 1842, in direst poverty. His education was of the simplest sort. As a tiny boy he played in “Beck Hoil” near his home making dams and water-wheels. At the age of eight he was working in the mill as a half-timer for one shilling a week, two-pence of which was devoted to school fees. By-and-bye he began business for himself in a very modest way. He installed a

“Dandy” rover, thirty spindles in length, in a small cellar which he rented for the purpose, and made with his own hands fancy stocking worsted which he hawked from shop to shop, selling a half-pound here and one or two pounds there. In this persistent way he built up for himself a very respectable trade. Then he transferred his small plant to a joiner’s shop, set up everything himself, became his own engineer and overlooker, his sole staff being a woman who still lives in Keighley. The development of this business, and the personal history of the founder is a romance which is worth the telling.

Mr. Ickringill is in his seventy-fifth year. He is the picture of health and amiability. He is as fresh, as ardent, and as active as ever. He has had but two spheres of interest outside his, own exemplary home — commercial and religious, He has never taken any public part in municipal or national affairs. His elder brother Ira, who was associated with him in business, played the public role even in commercial affairs. Thrice was he the Mayor of Keighley. But James Ickringill coveted the shade, and in the shade his work was done, and his character, as well as his business, was thus developed. He was ever a loyal Primitive Methodist. He has just celebrated his sixtieth anniversary as a member of our Church by an important public function which has provided £50 for the Kafue Institute. His father was a devoted Primitive Methodist, but too poor to assist the cause financially, and the small society over which he presided as steward flickered out. His son James, however, early conceived the hope of adjusting the balance, and of doing for the Church what his father would but could-not do. And in course of time, in remembrance of his father’s piety and zeal, he established not very far from that spot and close to his own private house, a society, built a Mission Hall, equipped, and for sixteen years maintained it as a personal charge, and a few years ago handed over the estate as a centenary gift to the denomination. But for the War and the Government’s injunction against building operations, there would by this time have been erected beside the Hall a handsome church worthy of its donor. Not for a day has he ceased to show a paternal interest in that Mission. He occupies no official position—his ambition has never led him that way—yet not one of all the agencies of that active and successful church but receives his careful consideration and practical sympathy. If he spends a week-end at his home at Heysham, he unfailingly gives his encouragement and support to the feeble cause at Wellington Street, Morecambe. But he and his family support to their full strength the interests of the Mission and the Keighley Second Circuit, and they provide in many ways for entertaining activities which increase the interest and the usefulness of the work.

Mr.  Ickringill has no other interests. He has no hobbies. He knows nothing of social amusements. He has no personal vanities. He does not even run a motor car. He is abstemious. He lives on two meals a day, and these very simple. But he enjoys perfect health, has never had occasion to consult a doctor for himself — and perfect happiness. He is a man of calm and even temper, never in a hurry, does not bustle or hustle, and is always serene and radiant. He knows neither care nor fear, and is never daunted. Trials he has had not a few, and reverses of fortune such as would. have crushed many a man of slighter mould, but he has met all adverses and reverses with equanimity of spirit. He has always won through, unruffled, undismayed. I know him perfectly of whom I write. There is something quite remarkable about him. Perhaps I should say he has been providentially led, his steps have been divinely ordered, he has been mysteriously and miraculously preserved. That, I think, would be his own fine belief. 

Mr. Ickringill had a very devoted wife who died some years ago, and whose memory is a gracious bower and a sweet inspiration to this day. One of the spots sacred to her memory is a large engine-room in Bradford, the room of one of the great engines of the Legrams Mill, a room always kept bright and clean. The engine bears the name Sophia, and not many yards away there stand the simple articles of furniture with which Mr. Ickringill first set up housekeeping. The table is an altar of love and fidelity, and, to him, a quite satisfying reminder of the lowly circumstances of his early life. It is a sign of his greatness that he will never permit himself to forget his humble origin and his early struggle.

Mr. Ickringill has two sons and a daughter, and, married, their separate homes are in the grounds surrounding their father’s house at Keighley. The sons are Elmfield boys, deeply devoted to the highest interests of the denomination which their father loves, and proving themselves to be worthy sons of their richly-dowered sire.

Family

James was born on 9 November 1842 at Keighley, Yorkshire, to parents James Ickringill, a worsted spinner (1851), and Martha Tatham. He was baptised on 30 April 1843 at All Saints,  Bingley, Yorkshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for James.

• 1861 factory hand worsted
• 1871 worsted spinner Driving Gap Mill
• 1881 worsted spinner
• 1891 worsted spinner
• 1901 worsted spinner – own account
• 1911 worsted spinner
• 1921 master worsted spinner

He married Mary Ann Sophia Naylor (1842-1903) in late 1869 at Keighley, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three children.

• Jeremiah (1871-1936) – a worsted spinner
• James William (abt1873-1944) – a worsted spinner
• Fanny (abt1874-1961) – married George Allen Gill, a wool buyer (1911), in 1900 

James died on 24 August 1924 at Heysham, Lancashire. On his death James left an estate valued at £89k.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/316

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers