HENRY DOLTON

DEATH OF ALDERMAN DOLTON

AMAN OF CHARACTER

The death of Mr. Alderman Dolton, which occurred at his residence, Kendrick House, the Wharf, on Saturday morning, was not unexpected as for a week all hope of recovery had been given up, although Dr. Mitchell Bruce, a specialist, was called in on Friday, only to confirm the verdict of the local medical attendants Dr. Clarke and Dr. Wylie. The actual cause of death was a twisted valve of the heart, originally caused by fright and excitement. This was brought about by an incident which happened one Sunday evening in August 1806 [obviously a misprint]. Mr. Dolton was sitting in his garden, and saw a child fall into the river which runs close by. He rushed round to attempt the rescue, but on reaching the bridge he was seized with a faintness, and had to return home. He was very ill for a time, and although he recovered symptoms of heart weakness recurred at intervals. Up till then he had never had a day's illness, and although long past the allotted span of three score and ten, he had enjoyed the best of health and vigour. On July 22. one of the hottest days of last summer, the Road Committee made an inspection of various works then proceeding in the Borough, which necessitating several hours exposure to the heat of the sun.

As chairman of the committee, Alderman Dolton was as active as any, himself driving round to the different points visited. Within a few hours he was prostrate with a serious seizure, his doctor attributing it to the heart trouble previously experienced. For some time he lay in the most critical condition, but, thanks to a wonderful constitution and a remarkable determination of character, he rallied, and was able to take short drives and walks in the town. But he never regained the strength of body or power of will that previously dominated all his actions. Still his relatives and friends had hopes that he would be spared for a few years longer. But a week or so ago there was a return of the symptoms, and following so closely upon the first seizure there was no hope of recovery. Although taking scarcely any nourishment for a week, his natural vitality kept him alive until Saturday morning, when he passed peacefully away at five o'clock, in the 77th year of his age.

A HARD-HEADED BUSINESSMAN

Alderman Dolton was a successful man of business. His father was a market-gardener and seedsman living in the London road, but the son decided to seek his fortune as a corn dealer, and when his father brought his son's first sack of corn to be pitched in Newbury Market, some of the older dealers declared that it was a venture which wouldn't last. But Henry Dolton was a shrewd hard-headed man of business, and not easily daunted. He succeeded, and those who thought otherwise, have long ceased to be known on the market. By perseverance and good judgement Mr Dolton gradually built up an extensive business, and established a reputation for fair dealing which was as well known at Mark Lane as it was in Newbury and other of the Berkshire

 markets, where he was a familiar figure. The story is told that on one occasion there was a big contract to be signed at Mark Lane, and Mr. Dolton was in a hurry to catch his train, when the other party to the transaction remarked “Oh very well, don't trouble about signing, we all know your word is as good as your bond”. And that was the general opinion held of Henry Dolton. Nobody disputed his word, or doubted his assertion. If he said he had given a certain price for corn, and wished to sell at such a figure, there was little haggling. What he meant he said, and what he meant he said.

AMANOF CHARACTER

It was not everybody who appreciated Mr. Dolton's character. An abruptness of manner and a directness of speech, would repel many. But those who penetrated this outward barrier found him a man upon whom they could rely, and one whose friendship did not fail when most needed. Ostentation he hated, and none of his good deeds were paraded before the public eye. Only those in his inner confidence knew the benevolence of his disposition or the kindness of his heart, when cases of real trouble were brought under his notice. Probably a canvasser for some public fund might be dismissed with scant ceremony, but nevertheless help might be given in an indirect manner. Henry Dolton did not court popularity; in fact he often-times assumed an attitude on public questions which would make him very unpopular. He was a progressive Liberal in politics, but absolutely conservative in his personal convictions and habits.

A democrat in policy, he was often an autocrat in manner and practice. He had a supreme contempt for officialdom in any shape or form, and it used to be his proud boast that when Mayor and in receipt of certain communications from the Local Government Board on the laxity of the borough in the provision of a drainage scheme, he lighted his pipe with the official documents. This may only have been a figure of speech, for although the alderman had a great horror of red-tapeism, he was albeit a strict upholder of law and order. He was a man of contrasts. A better judge of a horse never existed, and he always drove a smart turn-out. As a Wesleyan local preacher he was known in most of the Nonconformist pulpits in the district, and was always welcome, for although not possessing any oratorial powers, his deliverances were so direct and forcible as to prove very acceptable to his hearers. He was among the oldest of local preachers in the Newbury Circuit, being on the “plan” between fifty and sixty years, and seldom missed a Sunday engagement. Evidence of the confidence reposed was afforded by the fact that he was a trustee for most of the Wesleyan Chapels in the circuit. Mr Dolton's sound advice and business ability was much valued by his co-directors of the Newbury Building Society, and all who came into intimate association with him, valued his sterling character, a man who disdained flattery, and spoke his mind whether it pleased or pained. In private life his unostentatious charity has perhaps been but little known, but many are the instances which might be recorded of his kindness of heart when in need, not only in Newbury, but in the country districts around.

FORTYYEARS PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr Dolton was elected a member of the Town Council in the year 1860, and always took the keenest interest in local government. He passed through these troublous times when elections were fought on purely personal lines and election warfare was waged by means of the scurrilous squib and libellous lampoon. This active service was by no means adverse to the militant spirit of the late Alderman. He fought as vigorously as any, and in 1873 there was a very lively contest arising out of action which had been taken by Mr. Thomas Fidler on licensing matters. Mr. Dolton was associated with Mr. Fidler in the fight, which was a most stubborn and bitter one. It was the second year of the operation of the Ballot Act, and voters had not got used to the process. The result was that Mr. Dolton was defeated. But he came out again in 1874, when he pledged himself “to give an independent vote upon all questions.” This time he was associated with the late Ald. Lucas, and the contest was a spirited one. Mr. Dolton was successful in re regaining his seat, and from this time onward remained an active member of the Council. He served the office of Mayor in 1868 to the satisfaction of his colleagues in the Council and the townspeople generally, but declined to serve a second year, and confessed that he felt much lighter in heart when relieved of the responsibilities of office. In 1891 [?] he was elected an alderman in succession to the late Alderman Wilson and in 1893 was placed upon the Commission of the Peace for the Borough. Alderman Dolton's special work in the Council was the chairmanship of the Roads and Baths Committee, for which his practical knowledge fitted him. A progressive policy has marked the doings of the Committee under Alderman Dolton's presidency and the condition of the roads in the borough has vastly improved in later years, until now they are a credit to the municipality, and a similar enlightened is being pursued in respect to the suburban roads and paths. Alderman Dolton doggedly stood out for the maximum grant in aid from the County Council, and had the satisfaction of seeing the Local Government Board not only award the borough's claim on arbitration but even more. “No compromise” was Mr. Dolton's motto, and although more recently the Corporation have accepted a stated sum from the County Council, it is more than likely that the alderman would have preferred a fight for the full amount. Mr. Dolton was one of the promoters of the Corporation Baths in Northcroft, and nobody used or valued them more. He was a regular bather, and almost every morning in the year enjoyed a swim in the baths, and has been known to break the ice in order to be able to do so. The alderman took a frequent part in the debates of the Council, and his speeches were marked by a dry humour and caustic criticism. His favourite observation that the Council was “getting in a fog” became an oft-quoted proverb. Ald. Dolton's strong personality will be missed in the Council and the town generally will lose the services of one who consistently endeavoured to serve its best interests and promote its welfare.

Alderman Dolton leaves a widow, one son and four daughters. Mrs. Early, Mrs. J.O. Fidler, Miss Dolton, and Miss Edith Dolton.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) in the Newbury Cemetery, and in accordance with the expressed wish of the deceased the ceremony was of the most simple character, there being no flowers, and the Corporation did not attend in a civic capacity, although the Council was well represented and there was a large attendance of members of the Wesleyan body in the Newbury circuit.

The coffin, polished oak, with brass fittings, bore the inscription:

HENRY DOLTON

Died November 4 1899

Aged 76

It was placed  in a handsome new Washington car, and borne therein to the Cemetery, the mourners riding in four broughams. All along the route blinds were drawn, and shutters closed, in token of respect. The body was taken into the chapel, where the first portion of the service was conducted by the Rev. G. Bolderston, Superintendent of the Newbury Circuit, assisted by the Rev. R.H. Killip. The interment was in a grave at the southern border of the cemetery, and at the graveside a favourite hymn of the deceased was sung “Oh what shall I do, my Saviour to praise.”

The Mourners were; Mr. C.H. Dolton, son; Mrs. C.W. Early, Mrs Fidler, Miss Dolton, Miss E. Dolton, daughters; Mr. C.W.Early, Mr. J.C. Fidler, sons-in-law, Mrs. C.H. Dolton, daughter-in-law; Mr. H.S.Dolton, Mr. H.S. Dolton, Mr.H. Fidler, Mr. C.R. Dolton, Mr. D. Fidler, grandsons; Miss Thomas, Mr. A. Attewell.

Amongst those present were the Mayor and Mayoress of Newbury (Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds), Alderman J.P. Jackson, T. Fidler, W. Hall, R. Ravenor. Councillors C. Lucas, H. J. Midwinter, R. Long, S. Knight, H.S. Hanington, J. Rankin, J. Stradling, F.C. Hopson, E. Gould,Mr F.Q. Louch (Town Clerk), Mr. J.H. Mason, Mr. F.J. Coldicutt, Mr. amd Mrs Hopson, Mr. J. Adnams, Miss Adnams, Mr. and Mrs C. Webb, Miss Webb, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Staples, Mr. and Mrs. Henson Freeman, Miss Fidler, Misses Mason, Mr. and Mrs Horner, Mr. and Mrs Oliver, Miss Westcombe, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Webb, Mrs Ruler, Messrs H. Wilson, J. Flint, C. Midwinter, E. Fidler, J. Webb, J.E. Westchester, D.R. Jones, R. Bell, G.H. Burrows, J. Sullen, G. Dithers, H. Bailey, J. Sidney, A. Holland, J. Gould, E. James, J.E. Woodier, E. Clarendon, T. Garrick, Hannibal Hall, W.W. Bowering, T. Turner, E. Robles, J. His cock, T. Lang ton, W.H. Pettier (Assistant Town Clerk), H. Prate, (Corn Exchange Manager). J. Finsbury, J. Sidney, H. Cowling,  Alfred Allen, Andrew  Freeman, E. Clarendon, S. North, Messrs. Bronzed’s, Witt, Lance, and W. Killing, Kintbury;  H. Killing, Inkpen; Hardham, Cook, Hopkins, and J. Heath, Kingsclere; Prismall, Chieveley; W.B. Pocock, Boxford; Mrs Herbert, Misses Gould, Mr. and Mrs Norris, George Lawrence, &.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Penford and Son, of Northbrook-street.

The Union Jack was flying half mast at the Town Hall from Saturday  till after the funeral; and the flag was also half-masted at the Liberal Club.

IN MEMORIAM – H. D.

November 17th, 1899

A mind serene, decorous and severe;

Yet it's grave depths seemed obvious and near

To those who loved devotedness to duty;

No compromise to to mar Truth's rugged beauty,

Could, turn its aim, move that deliberate mind;

He deemed the past thrown by, an empty rind;

And looked for a great future, which could bring

Life a work done rightly in unwasted days.

When through the gates of darkness friends are gone,

Yet hope upheld by faith still follows on,

Sees strength in weakness; wiser men become

As they approach to their eternal rest,

And in the light of everlasting home,

Views all with gentle heart and spirit blest.

                                                                   B.

Newbury Weekly News 9 November 1899

Sources:Newbury Weekly News 9 November 1899