Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevspite of the numerous advantages their bettered position brings them. They seem utterly incapable of adopting the mode of the society they are later surrounded by. Not so, however, Richard Chrimes. He took a serious view of the responsibilities and a deep sense of the obligations his success in business placed upon him. At one time head of the well-known firm of Guest and Chrimes, he displayed keen business acumen and ability which put his firm in the forefront and gained for it a world-wide reputation. he amassed a fortune and largely used his wealth for the benefit of others. Although he may have been able to say, as a well-known and highly respected Manchester merchant, in replying in his native tongue once said to his friends who were chaffing him as to his wealth, 'Aye, I fairly stink o’ brass' , he never forgot human infirmity or the unfortunate poor. No individual or firm were more liberal in their help when appealed to on behalf of deserving and charitable objects. Christianity had a firm hold of him; his heart had been touched, and his aim seemed to be to relieve the perishing. During the Franco German War in 1870, he subscribed large sums of money to the Red Cross Society for relieving the wounded and sick - gifts which were offered in a truly Christian and impartial spirit.
MR. JOHN GUEST
As a partner in business, Mr. Chrimes had Mr. John Guest, Rotherh am’s historian, who was born in the town on the 5th May, 1799, and lived to the ripe old age of 81, He served an apprenticeship to the grocery business, but later drifted into a lawyer’s office. he made no secret of the fact that in his early days he was a most intemperate man, and that in middle life he took the temperance pledge. Leaving the lawyer’s office, he became representative for Messrs. Sandford and Owen, and afterwards joined Mr. Chrimes at the brassworks
A member of the old Local Board, he sought election as a councillor when the borough was incorporated, and at the first meeting his colleagues elected him an alderman. He refused the offer of becoming the first Mayor of Rotherham, stating as his reason that he could never, as chief magistrate, punish a man for doing what he had so often done himself.
MR. GEO.ESKHOLME, J.P.
Some men ascend as the result of hard work; position is their due. Such a man was Mr. Geo. Eskholme, who came from Pateley Bridge to Rotherham to work as an engineer at the Flax Mills. Later he entered the service of Messrs. Guest and Chrimes. who had started a foundry in the market place. Like t h e average business man of those days, he began life poor; he never received a college education and yet he ended rich, both in wealth and knowledge. Like other men of great achievement, his education was obtained in the School of Hard Knocks and the College of Experience. He never resorted in business to unfair methods, but believed that a business man should adhere to the highest ideals. I used to meet him nearly every morning about eight o’clock returning from the works (of which he was manager and later a partner) to his breakfast after having spent an hour or more in preparation for the working day. He had the misfortune to lose his only son by drowning. This occurred close by the works, notwithslanding that a brave attempt was made by Nathaniel Wilkes, one of their employees. to save the boy.A good hater, be could detest with a thorougness equal to any man, yet to those who were privileged to enjoy his friendship he was generous, loyal and true. next »