Standing, Henry (1848-1912)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine

Some years ago Rev. James Travis was conducting revival services in the Cunliffe Street Chapel, Chorley. Two young men who had been loitering at the street corner were induced to attend the Sunday evening service. At the close of the service the preacher met them in the vestibule as they were leaving and invited them to the prayer meeting. They stayed, and after three hours of earnest prayer they were saved. One of these young men was Henry Standing. Some time after his conversion he went to live at Aspull Moor, where he became a local preacher.

After eight years of useful service there he and Mrs. Standing, his faithful helpmate, removed to Hollinwood, in the Oldham Third Circuit. They joined the Washbrook Church, and gave themselves heartily to the work of God. For many years Mr. Standing was the treasurer of the trust. Increased accommodation for school work was needed, and he took the deepest interest in preparing the way for the erection of the present commodious and handsome School Hall and Institute.

This was the great work of the last few years of his life. He laid one of the memorial stones, Rev. J. Travis gave the address on the occasion, and Mr. Standing said it was one of the happiest days of his life. A few days before the completion of the buildings and the opening of the Institute, he passed away to the house not made with hands. He was laid to rest in the Hollinwood Cemetery. Prior to the interment a service was held in the Washbrook Church in which Revs. J. Yearsley, S.R. Woodall, W. Upright and E. Vaughan took part. Rev. J. Travis gave an impressive address. A memorial sermon was preached by Rev. E. Vaughan on the following Sunday evening.

Family

Henry was born in 1848 at Chorley, Lancashire, to parents John Standing, a boiler maker (1861), and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 8 October 1848 at Chorley.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Henry.

1861 coal miner
1871 coal miner
1881 deputy in coal mine
1891 assurance agent
1901 agent (Prudential Assurance Co.)
1911 assurance agent

He married Alice Hulme (abt1849-1927) on 14 November 1868 at St Katharine, Blacked, Lancashire. Census returns identify four children.

Esther (abt1872-1950) – a cotton mill worker (1891); married William Chadderton, a cotton spinner (1911), in 1898
Elizabeth (1875-1953) – cotton weaver (1891); married Joseph Harrison, a boiler riveter (1911), in 1901
John Henry (1879-1899) – a cotton piecer & scholar (1891)
Mary Alice (1889-1966) – a card room hand at cotton mill (1911); married James Wray, a locomotive fitter (1921), in 1921

Henry died in 22 November 1912 at Hollinwood, Lancashire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/914

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers