William Pilkington dies

ANENT THE LATE COL. PILKINGTON.

The death of Col. William William Wnidle [sic] Windle Pilkington, the prominent St. Helens, England glass manufacturer, occurred at Cannes, in the south of France, recently. Col. Pilkington, Mrs. Pilkington and the Misses Pilkington left St. Helens about the middle of February for their usual holiday, at this time of year in the Riviera. After staying a short time in Italy they proceeded to Cannes, where Col. Pilkington was seized with a cold, which developed into congestion of the lungs and weakened his constitution. In spite of the best, medical attention his condition did not improve and he finally succumbed. There were present during his last hours, besides Mrs. Pilkington and his daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Pilkington.

Col. Pilkington was the son of the late Richard Pilkington, and was born at Windle Hall, Sept. 26, 1839. His grandfather was Dr. Wm. Pilkington, who took up the pursuit of agriculture, and began to farm the land around Windle Hall, the estate embracing the land on which the Cowley Hill glass works now stand. He had a family of two sons, one of whom, Richard, was the father of the late Col. Richard Pilkington, and the other, William Pilkington, of Roby, the father of the late Wm. Pilkington, of Roby Hall, and the grandfather of Col. W. Lee Pilkington.

The energy and ability of the two sons of Dr. Pilkington led them to commence the manufacture of glass, the firm originally having the name of Pilkington and Greenall, but eventually the Greenalls withdrew. Under the guidance of the Pilkingtons the business developed remarkably, and in time the St. Helens collieries were commenced with equally remarkable success. As their sons grew up they were taken into the business. Messrs William and Thomas from one side, and the late Col. Windle Pilkington and his brother, the late Col. Richard Pilkington, from the other side. The subsequent growth of the firm is well known to our readers.

Col. Pilkington was educated at Bruce Castle, Totteridge, and commenced work in the office at the Sheet Glassworks. On June 12, 1867, he married Sarah Louisa, the daughter of the Rev. W. Salter, of Leamington, and there are four children living, R. Austin Pilkington, A. Cecil Pilkington, Miss Constance Pilkington and Miss Christine Pilkington.