John William Stevens

With so many plans started, probably under-capitalised and definitely nowhere near completed, it must have also been a nightmare of responsibility for John William Stevens, his eldest son aged 26. His younger brothers, Francis Hugh Stevens was 20 and not even a Director and Charles Ralph at 15 was still a schoolboy, although I believe shortly afterwards he started work at Queenborough. The minutes of the time mention the appointment of the Company's new Chairman and the business continued to progress as before, so one assumes that John William, despite his young age, was a very able Chairman. Pond Side Works

1892 saw the election of Francis Hugh Stevens, aged 22, to the Board of The Bone Crushing Co. Ltd. In 1895 Mr. Foreshaw (Company Secretary) retired. The establishment of a seeds business within The Bone Crushing Co. Ltd. was in the year 1896 and in 1897 the youngest son, Charles Ralph Stevens, aged 22, was elected to the Board.

Chemical works fire 1913

The turn of the century saw the appointment of W. J. Dodsworth as Company Secretary. He was to serve the company well until his retirement in 1948 and is remembered by the older members of staff with fondness. However, for the period 1900-1921 Arthur Harry Eve (husband to Amy Kate Stevens, John Williams Stevens eldest sister, and a Director of the company) was given the title of Acting Secretary. Under John William Stevens Chairmanship, the affairs of the company continued through the first world war and into the depression, but in 1929 he died, having never married and of course leaving no heir. His Will left the main part of his Estate to his brothers and sisters.

Show stand approximately 1920s

John William Stevens Invitation

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