THE LATE MR. JAMES FISHER J. P.

FUNERAL AT BARROW

One of Barrow’s oldest and most prominent citizens was laid to rest in the Borough Cemetery on Friday afternoon, when the remains of the late Mr. James Fisher, J. P. of “Drumard”, were interred in the presence of a large assembly of mourners. The deceased gentleman was held in highest esteem and affectionate regard by all who knew him well, whilst his true gentlemanly characteristics were manifested in many ways during his long public life in Barrow. The beautiful wreaths, of which there were a large number, also testified to the widespread grief and sympathy which his demise has created. The Mayor and Corporation attended, the deceased gentleman having sat on the Council for number of years, while he also occupied the position of Mayor in 1902-03., so that the attendance of the civic authority in a corporate capacity was a fitting tribute to the memory of one who was in every sense a public-spirited gentleman, and one who served his town faithfully and well.

The coffin was borne from the residence of the deceased to the hearse by members of the staff of Messrs. James Fisher and Sons, the coffin, hearse, and several coaches being covered with choice flowers, shaped into solemn emblems. The Mayor and Corporation and other mourners preceded the hearse to St. Paul’s Church, where the cortege was met by the Rev. W Berry (the vicar) and the Revs. J. C. Montgomery (brother-in-law of the deceased) and C. E. Curson, also a relative. These gentlemen conducted the service in the church, where a number of other sorrowing friends had assembled, deceased having been churchwarden for a good many years.

The chief mourners were: Mrs. Fisher (widow), Misses Isabella and Alice Fisher (daughters), Lieut. James Fisher (son), Dr. and Mrs. Stokes (son-in-law and daughter), Commander and Mrs. Turner (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. R. B. D. Bradshaw (brother-in-law) and Miss Bradshaw, Rev. J. Montgomery and Mrs. Montgomery (sister and brother-in-law), Rev. C. E. Curson (cousin), Miss Clapham (cousin) and Mr. J. E. Fisher (cousin).

Amongst the general mourners present were: The Mayor (Ald. A. Barrow), who wore his robes and was attended by Mr. S. Hooper (the mace bearer), Mr. L. Hewlett (the Town Clerk), Mr. W. W. Waite (the Borough Treasurer), Aldermen Smith, Heath, Hardy, Tootill, Councillors Mawson, Barrow, Palmen, Fairbairn, A. Brown, Johnstone, Pearson, Barben and Archer.

The shipping firm of which the deceased was the head was represented by the following members of the staff: - Messrs. G. A. W. Wilkinson, G. Lucas, W. Forrester, and W. Taylor.
The magistrates present were Messrs. Coulton Hunter, S. Taylor, J. Clarkson, R. Crossfield, and S. E. Major (the Magistrates Clerk)

Others in the cortege were Messrs. A. A. Haynes, H. O. Curson, H. Rutherford, Commander Bissett, Captain Thomas, J. Telford, G. Linton, and T. Jackson (representing the Furness Railway Company), Colonel R. Thompson; Messrs. H. L. Perry, T. Ashburner, H. R. Burnett, T. Burnett, T. Steel, J. Hill, J. Dixon, A. J. While, P. H. Fisher, J. P. Boulton, T. Wilson, Dr. Sinclair, Colonel Williams, Rev. H. Wilson, H. G. Pearson, G. H. Huthwaite, A. E. Butchart, J. Wynn, W. Dawson, O. Huartson, A. H. Strongitharm, W. Butler, F. Fisher, and W. Atkinson. The Barrow Shipping and General Stores Co. Ltd., were represented by its directors, Messrs H. G. Pearson, J. M. Mawson, and H. B. D. Bradshaw.

After the service the mournful procession proceeded to the cemetery, where the usual sad rites were performed.

(There followed a detailed list of wreaths and donors)

The North Western Daily Mail, Friday December 3rd 1915

The report earlier of brother John’s death was similarly fulsome:

DEATH OF ALDERMAN FISHER

The announcement of the death of Alderman Fisher at noon on Sunday came as a great shock to the people of Barrow and surrounding the district. It appears that he was seized with chill ... (original illegible)....when his case was judged somewhat serious, pneumonia having ... (original illegible).... but death was ultimately due to ..... exhaustion, owing to sleeplessness. He died at his residence, Fairfield. He was 51 years of age, and it is a coincidence that his father died at exactly the same age. He was the senior partner of the firm James Fisher and Sons, shipping agents, Barrow, and was also senior partner of the firm of John Fisher and Co., miners, of County Antrim. He was thoroughly well known in the commercial and shipping world, and was universally respected. His local firm, established by his father the late M. James Fisher, are the managing owners of between 30 and 40 vessels, and do a very large shipping business with other vessels throughout the world. He was Lloyd’s Agent at Barrow and Mexican Vice-Consul. In 1882 he was elected without opposition to the Barrow County Council as a representative of Newbarns Ward, and retained his seat without a contest until he was created an alderman in November, 1898. He was Mayor of Barrow for three years, from November, 1894 to November, 1897, and we all know how thoroughly well he discharged the duties of his high office, how generously he spent his money in the various civic responsibilities that fell to his lot, and how popular he was with the people, a popularity he retained to his death. He took a very active part up to the time of his death in municipal work, and his vote and his influence were always given with honesty and breadth of purpose, and a desire to promote the well-being and progress of the borough. He was vice-chairman of the Finance Committee and took a great interest in the work of the Watch Committee. He was a member of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, and was of much service to that body. The late Mr. Fisher was the only Mayor of Barrow who was a native of the borough, and he did the honours of his office greatly to the credit of the place that gave him his birth. Naturally he was associated with Barrow throughout practically the whole of his life, and his firm throughout the career of the town has bee and is still one of the mainstays of the place. He always displayed great interest in sport and athletics, was a keen angler, and was fond of shooting. He was a bachelor, but always evinced a keen delight when in the presence of children, and was much beloved, indeed, by all who knew him. Possessing great urbanity of character and a very kindly and courteous disposition he was a man who was highly respected by everybody, and by those who knew him most intimately especially. The funeral is fixed to take place tomorrow at the Barrow Cemetery, the cortege leaving Fairfield at a quarter to three o’clock in the afternoon. There will be a short service at St. Paul’s, to be concluded at the graveside. The members of the Corporation, the School Board, the Board of Guardians, and other public bodies will be present, as well as tradesmen, friends, and others. Mr. James Barrow has charge of the funeral arrangements. Flags are fling half-mast high at the Town Hall, and on many public and private buildings, and on the shipping in the docks.

The North Western Daily Mail, Monday June 18, 1900

AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT

An unfortunate mishap occurred as the coaches were returning from the cemetery. The two horses attached to the vehicle containing Messrs. MacIlwaine, Wm. Postlethwaite, T. Fisher, and T. Cox bolted while in the cemetery grounds. The driver successfully steered them through the gates, but at the bottom of Highfield-road the animals dashed in to wall of the house of the Rev. W. Walker, knocking over a good portion of it. The animals sustained some nasty injuries, but luckily the occupants of the carriage and the driver escaped unhurt.

Barrow Herald June 23 1900

BARROW OFFICER’S DEATH

CAPT. FISHER SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA

The death is announced of Captain Jas. Fisher, third son of the late Mr. James Fisher, of “Drumard,” Abbey-road, Barrow, which occurred yesterday afternoon, after only ten days illness, at his residence, 18, Walmer-road, Waterloo, Liverpool. Death was due to pneumonia, following influenza. The deceased was only 24 years of age. Prior to the war he was serving his apprenticeship as an engineer at Vickers. On the outbreak of hostilities he immediately joined his battalion, the 4th King’s Own, with whom he went to France. He was invalided home suffering from shell shock, and, being unfit for foreign service, he was subsequently attached to the 5th South Lancashires, and served under Colonel Keane in this battalion, which had to do with the loading and unloading of ships at Liverpool.

Captain Fisher was a partner in the well-known shipping firm of Messrs. James Fisher and Sons, although he took no active part in the business. He was a popular officer, and every sympathy will go out to his young widow, to whom he was only married last August, and to his relatives.

The funeral service will take place at St. Paul’s, Barrow, on Thursday, at noon, after which the body will be interred in the family grave at the borough cemetery.

North Western Daily Mail, Monday February 24 1919