The remains of Mr William Edwin Wells, managing director of the Eckington Collieries, were interred Eckington Cemetery on Saturday, amid signs of great public sorrow; all blinds were drawn, and the business of the town was practically suspended. Many hundreds of workmen, tradesmen, and the general public assembled at Elmwood to nay their last tribute respect to one they knew and esteemed so well. The widow, sisters, and children the deceased were not present at the funeral.
The chief mourners who followed were:—Mr G. H. Wells (Eckington), Mr F. A. Wells (London), Mr A. E. Wells (Sheffield), Mr Albert Wells (London), Dr Frank B. Wells (London), Mr Herbert Wells (London), all brothers; Mr F. Barber (uncle), Mr G. W. Barber, Dr G. W. Crookes, Mr Arthur Crookes I (cousins), Mr R. Kendal Evans (London), Mr Phillips (Liverpool), Mr Joseph H. Wells and Mr George E. Wells (Eckington Hall (brothers- in-law), Mr John Lea (London), Mr J. E. Mammott (Leeds), Mr Robert Culver (Sheffield), Mr Esam (Sheffield), Mr W. Dust (Sheffield), Mr Wadsworth (Chesterfield), Mr H. Pawson (Sheffield). Mr G. Evans (Rotherham), Mr J. Jervis, Dr Court (Staveley), Dr West Jones, Dr W. M. Hunter, Mr George Mosby, Mr J. W. Walker (London), Mr James Brady (Sheffield), Mr F. Hardwick, Mr R. S. Chadwick, Mr G. W. Dickinson, Mr H. Burgin, Mr A. T. Sutcliffe. Mr W. H. Dyson, Mr R. Dumbleton, Mr J. R. Bregazzi, and many other personal friends.
The cortege left Elmwood shortly after 12 o’clock, the following being the order procession:—Carriage with clergy, bearers, pall bearers and hearse, deceased’s private carriage, mourning coaches, Dr Jones’s private carriage, other private carriages, servants from Elmwood, Eckington Hall, and Hohenlinden: sides men from Mosbro’ Church, colliery office staff, colliery under managers, engine men and mechanics, representatives of public bodies, tradespeople, and the general body of workmen. The coffin placed in the chancel of the church, and the funeral service was impressively conducted by the Rev. J. Williams, the Mosbro’ curate. The choir sang the 39th Psalm and hymns 165, God our help ages past,” and 537, “Peace, perfect peace.” The procession was then re-formed, and proceeded to the cemetery, where the funeral service was concluded by Williams. The coffin was polished oak, with brass mountings, and the plate was engraved
“William Edwin Wells.
Born September 28th, 1851.
Died November 29th, 1898.”
Nearly 100 floral tributes from relatives, friends, office staff, managers, workmen, etc., were placed upon the grave. Muffled peals were rung on the church bells on Saturday and Sunday. Messrs Cole Bros., Sheffield, were the undertakers and J. H. Moorwood, Eckington, supplied the coffin, etc.
On Sunday, the Parish Church was again crowded, and an impressive sermon was preached by the Rector, the Rev. H. T. Morgan, M.A., and the “Dead March” in “Saul” was played on the organ Mr A. Drury, the organist.
BNA © Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald – Wednesday 07 December 1898
