Another impressive monument by Fairbairn & Co., discoloured by time and weather. No other names have been added to the monument since Sankey’s photograph.

In Loving Memory of
CHARLES FRANCIS PRESTON
TOWN CLERK OF
BARROW-IN-FURNESS FOR 37 YEARS
BORN NOVEMBER 3RD 1844
DIED OCTOBER 5TH 1907
 
WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Cutting from Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 10 April 1888

Barrow Herald 27 Nov 1880

Barrow Town Clerk’s Death

MR C. F. PRESTON’S SUDDEN DEMISE
REFERENCES FROM PULPIT AND BENCH
THE MAYOR’S TRIBUTE

It is our painful duty to chronicle the death of Mr. C. F. Preston, the respected Town Clerk of Barrow, who passed away rather suddenly and unexpectedly at his residence on East Mount at 4.30 on Saturday morning last, at the age of 62. The first intimation to the general public of the sad occurrence was the floating of the flag half-mast high over the Town Hall, in which the deceased gentleman laboured for so many years with such conspicuous success and ability. But alas! His labours are o’er, and the town is poorer by his loss. In June last Mr. Preston was taken seriously ill, but by means of careful nursing he rallied, and was able to resume his duties. He did not thoroughly recover, however, and although he attended to his business up to Wednesday of last week, he had a relapse, and the end came with painful suddenness. He was troubled with heart disease, and has not been well since last February. Mr. Preston came to Barrow originally in partnership with the late Mr. Manclarke, first Town Clerk of Barrow. When that gentleman was taken seriously ill Mr Preston, on 4th July, 1870, was appointed Deputy Town Clerk, and on the 9th November following he was appointed Town Clerk in succession to Mr. Manclarke. He has thus been associated with the municipal life of Barrow for 37 years, and in his official position had charge of all the big schemes which have eventuated in the growth of the borough, which had a population of about 19,000 in 1870, and now has a population of 70,000. Mr. Preston was, of course, the oldest corporate official of the town, and he was highly respected by all who came in to contact with him in connection with the town’s business. His abilities for the post was most marked, and in connection with all his work Mr. Preston showed the greatest kindness and courtesy to all. His valuable efforts on behalf of the Corporation cannot be over-estimated. He was secretary of the Barrow Chamber of Commerce and Exchange since its commencement in 1883 – twenty four years ago – and was first clerk of the Barrow School Board, and held that office until the appointment of Mr. Fillingham. By the Education Act the duties of this department again fell to his charge. He took a great interest in musical matters, and was first secretary of the Barrow Choral Society and was chairman of the committee of the society at his death, having been 34 years an active member of the committee. He was also a member of the Barrow Chess Club, and was an expert in that game. Mr. Preston came to Barrow from Tenbury, in Worcestershire, where he served his articles as a solicitor with his father, the late Mr. F. W. Preston.
                  The Free Library has been established since Mr. Preston came to Barrow, together with the borough police force, the electricity undertaking, public slaughterhouses, Pennington and Harlock reservoir opened, the borough three times extended, and other important works carried out for the Corporation. In connection with the Walney Bridge and Duddon water schemes he performed much important work in preparing for the Parliamentary Bill.
                  The late Mr. Preston also conducted a large and important legal practice at his office in Lawson-street.
                  He was a member of the Barrow County Club, over which the flag was hoisted half-mast, and similar tokens of respect were shown in other public and private buildings.

The Barrow News 12 October 1907 had four columns, including the profile photograph shown. This account had a detailed description of the funeral, and identified his fatal illness as “angena (sic) pectoris”. It contains much of the above account in exactly the same words.