William Charles Land

• General Notes
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    About Land, William Charles
    Lived at 4 Swann St York, in childhood.
    1851 census living at87 Bishophill, York with elder brother George and younger siblings Margaret, Robert & Fredrick.Working as an engine fitter.
    1861 census was living at 16 South Street, Scarborough, grocer & wine merchant, employing 2 men and 4 boys..
    1871 all living at same adress, also nephew Edward Winteringham age 20.
    1881 living at 4 Carlton Terrace, grocer, employing 3 men & 5 boys, 3 servants. Seems to have changed his name to William Charles at some point.
    1891 living at 43 Esplanade Road with wife and 2 sevants1901 both living at boarding house, 6 Robertson Terrace, Hastings. (maybe on holiday)
    1908 dies, leaving 1873.3.6d to his son William Henry Land, living at time of death at 1 Grosvenor Crescent, Scarbourough.
    Alderman and Mayor of Scarbough in 1878
    Notes for WILLIAM CHARLES LAND:born 1828 d 1908 Scarbough
    Article from The Scarborough Pictorial, Wednesday, 4th March, l914.
    Personalities of the Past XV11 - Alderman W. C. Land. Freeman of Scarborough and York.
    William Charles Land was one of those introspective kind of men who, although not a native of Scarborough, foresaw the possibilities before it of development, and , with a businesslike perception which can be readily appreciated, he made up his mind if possible to be associated with the progress which he anticipated - and anticipated aright - was in store for the borough. The third son of Mr. Wm.Land, comb manufacturer, he was born in 1828 at York, in which city his father was highly esteemed, and of which he was a Freeman. Thus comes the interesting fact that by reason of birth the subjectof this sketch was also a Freeman of the ancient Minster city. Mr. W. C. Land was educated at Mr. Crosby`s School, York, and was 15 years of age when, in l843, he entered the office of and served his apprenticeship with Mr. T. Cabry, engineer to the North-Eastern Railway Company. Nine years later Mr. Land proceeded to Ashford, Kent, to an appointment under the South-Eastern and Chatham RailwayCompany, at their works, but he had only been there a year when, in l853, he acceded to a request from the North-Eastern Co. to return to York, and undertake the supervision of a department in their engineering branch, which duties of responsibility he discharged with an ability which justified the confidence reposed in him. It was in l854 that Mr. Land first came into touch with the town in theaffairs of which he was subsequently to play a more than ordinarily prominent part. Just about this time the destinies of Scarborough as the great English pleasure resort which it has become were beginning to shape themselves, and the trend of developments very soon manifested themselves to Mr. Land. The result was that after visiting Scarborough in l854, Mr. Land decided to relinquish his position at York and enter the commercial world. This resolve was duly carried out in 1855, and he commenced on South Cliff a business as grocer and wine and spirit merchant, which expanded into a flourishing establishment, which bore out Mr. Land`s prognostications as to possibilities, and is still today carried on in Huntriss-row in the name of W. C. Land and Co. In these early days of Mr. Land`s connection with Scarborough, sixty years ago, the town was, of course not anything so wieldy or renowned as a pleasure resort as it is today. Mr. Land lived to see the time, however, and had a good deal to do with events which led up to it, when the title of Queen of Watering Places was an accepted term of reference to the place of his adoption. In the `fifties`, for instance, South Cliff was buta sandhill in the desert to what it is now. Only three shops were in existence, and there were less than a hundred houses when Mr. Land began his venture. The young tradesman had come to Scarborough full of optimism and enterprise, however, and he lost little time in proceeding with the erection of houses in that part of the town where he had commenced business. He once again anticipated events correctly, and there was a brisk demand for these residences, and very soon others began to spring up, thus being witnessed the beginning of this popular residential quarter of Scarborough as it isrecognised today.
    In 1874 , on the advice of his medical man, Mr. Land ceased to take such a large interest in his business as previously, and thereupon turned his attention to public affairs. The first phase of whatdeveloped into an active and useful municipal career was his nomination for a seat on the Town Council as a representative of the South Ward. There were then only two wards in the town, and Mr. Landwas successful in obtaining election the first time he went to the poll. This was in November, l874, and his aptitude for public work so clearly manifested itself that it was only after four years` connection with the local governing body that he was singled out for the highest possible recognition and elected Mayor. He filled the chief magistrates` chair during the year l878-9 and attended to the affairs of the borough with the assiduity and interest which had characterised his efforts on behalf of the burgesses from the outset. There was nothing particularly notable in the way of local events during Mr. Land`s Mayoralty, but he suffered a keen personal loss by the death of the Town Clerk, Mr. J. J. Moody, who was a valued friend, counsellor, and advisor. The year before Mr. Land worethe civic chain a vital question in local affairs was that of the purchase by the Corporation of the Scarborough Water Company`s property. This having bearing on the direct control by the Council ofthe town`s water supply, occupied time and attention of the city fathers to some considerable extent, and finally in December, l877, a resolution was passed favouring the purchase of the water company`s property the action being approved by a poll of the town in the following year. With this important issue decided and the transfer of the concern carried through, Mr. Land was elected a member ofthe Water Committee in the work of which he evinced a keen interest. He proved himself very much alive in this capacity to the best interest of the borough, and in conjunction with the Medical Officer of Health, the late Dr. Taylor, was largely instrumental in preventing the town undertaking what it was afterwards generally conceded would have been the disatrous Jugger Howe scheme.
    Prior to the sale the Water Committee had procured the necessary power to obtain water from the Jugger Howe Beck and Fylingdale Moor, in addition to their existing works at Cayton Bay and Osgodby at aproposed expenditure of £80,000. Thanks toa timely intervention by Mr. Land, however, the scheme was abandoned, and what might have entailed serious consequences to the wealth of the town averted.Dr. Taylor conveyed to Mr. Land one day grave doubts as to whether the water to be procured from the suggested source would be pure and stated his definite opinion that it would be unfit for human consumption. Mr. Land lost no time in acquainting the Town Council of the risk they would be laying themselves and the town open to and his step was duly justified when a proper analysis confirmed the view of Dr. Taylor and resulted in the condemnation of the water for drinking purposes. The scheme was at once shelved and in its stead that at Irton proceeded with successful results. During the construction of the Irton Waterworks, Mr. Land was chairman of the committee. This was only one phase of his valuable services to the borough and during his long connection of 21 years with municipal administration he participated in much notable work. His first fifteen years` membership of the Corporation was as a councillor and then for six years he sat as an Alderman. He was an unceasing worker on behalf of the town he had become so much engrossed in and between the years of l874 and1895 he brought his wisdom and keen insight into business matters to bear on a number of matters of local import, in a variety of capacities, among which were the chairmanship at one time or another of all the important committees. He had much to do with the development of the picturesque features of Scarborough, particularly during the time he presided over the deliberations of the Parks and Pleasure Grounds Committee from 1890 to 1895. During the latter year he served on over forty committees and among other public improvements in the nature of parks, pleasure grounds, and other open spaces in which he closely interested himself he had the gratification of witnessing the completion of the Holbeck Gardens scheme, which was finally carried through before his connection with the Corporation came to an end. Mr. Land was a Conservative in politics, although he never allowed those views to obtrude and influence the part he took in local affairs, and when his term as an alderman expired, it was deemed advisable by political adversaries to unseat him. In 1893 however, the Conservatives had obtained a majority on the Town Council, and the election of aldermen again coming forward, the party with which he was identified altered the constitution of the Aldermanic Bench and co-opted Mr. Land,and he remained an alderman of the Borough until the time of his death. Further recognition of his services to the town was forthcoming in October 1903, when the respect in which he was held by allsections was indicated by a unanimous decision to confer upon Alderman Land the freedom of the Borough. With due ceremonial this honour was bestowed upon him together with the Earl of Feversham and Councillor Darley, and thus Alderman Land had the unique destinction of being a freeman of the city of his birth, York, and also of the town of his adoption - Scarborough.
    Other phases of Alderman Land`s life may be briefly mentioned. During his Mayoralty he was chairman of the Cliff Bridge Co., this being the time when the Grand Hall and other buildings were being erected in place of the building destroyed by fire, and subsequently served on the committee. He was also an active member of the Harbour Comissioners, the Charity Trustees, the South Cliff Co., the Savings Bank, the South Cliff Tramway Co., and other bodies. He sat on the Board of Guardians and the School Board: was raised to the magistracy in 1908, and also held the post of warden at St. Martin`s Church. Mr. Land was also a Freemason, and one of the most esteemed brethren of the craft. He married in 1851 Miss Mary Winteringham, daughter of Mr. Robert Winteringham of Boroughbridge and diedin July, l908. He is still survived by the one son of the marriage, Mr. W. H. Land.
    (Employing 3 Men & 5 Boys)
    THE LATE ALD. LAND. Funeral this afternoon. The funeral of the late Aid. W. C. Land„ Waldeck, Grosvenor Crescent, Scarborough, (whose death is reported on page 4), took place at Scar-borough this (Friday) afternoon, with all the honours, due to one who throughout his life was ever ready to render the public faithful service. The first part of the service was held at St. Martin's Church, and the Mayor (Mr. V. Fowler) and Corporation attended in civic state. There were also present represent-atives of the Church, the magistracy, and other interests with which the deceased gentleman was identified in the town. The chief mourners were Col. and Mrs W. H. Land (son and daug-hter-in.-imikr), Miss Dorothea Land, Miss Sybil Land (grand-daughters), Mr. Fred: Land (South Shields) and Mr. Win. Land (York) (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. T. Laughton, Miss Emily Land, Mrs. Long-, Mr. Jack Winteringham, Mr. and Mrs. T. Heslop, the Misses Moore Mr. R. C. Foster (Halifax), the maids at Waldeck; 'Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Coulson, Mr. Russell, and Dr. Everley Taylor. The Mayor and Corporation assembled at the Town Hall, aid ,rove to the church. There were very few absentees, the following members of the Council and officials of the 'Corporation being Present Mayor (Mr. V. Fowler), the Deputy Mayor 'conks, Hastiners F J. W. Rowntree), Aldermen Maynard, H. Stephenson and Pirie, and Councillors t_e'pflenson, Gibson, Whittaker, Malton, rral L\- itor,,. ugh, Chrirnes, Turnbull, Hopwood, Foley,. Fletcher, and White; the Town Clerk (Mr., D. A. Nicholl), the Borough Engineer (M Fl. .\C Smith), the Borough Accountant (Mr. T. M. Fawcett) the Chief Collector of Rates (Mr. R. Cole), the Wate; Engineer (Mr. W. Millhouse), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. Knight), the Secretary to the Education Committee (Mr. R. Underwood), the Borough Treasurer) (Mr. W. Sayner), the Clerk of the Peace' (Mr. Geo. Taylor), the Deputy Town Clerk (Mr. Sydney Jones), and the Chief Constable (Mr. W. Basham). The Scarborough Conservative Association was represented by Dr. R. Cuff', Dr. C. Handcock, Dr. j. G. Murray, Mr. F. A. Tugwell, and Mr. H. Froggatt; the Scarborough Constitutional Club by Mr. A. Sprigg and Mr. G. Tidman, the Scarborough,• Junior Conservative Association by Mr. N. Wharton, and the South-Ward Conservative Association by Councillor P. H. C. Chrimes and Mr. J. Fisher, jun. Amongst those also present were Dr. F. Godfrey,. Dr. Horne, Col. Kendal and Messrs. B. Fowler, Joshua Rowntree, A. J. Tug-well, G. Rowntree, J. Dime, J. Stephenson (secretary to the Scarborough) Harbour Commissioners) Lea Priestley Edwards, S. W. Fisher. J. E. T. Graham, H. Turnbull, F. Goodricke, F. H. Read (clerk to the Scarborough' Board of Guardians), E. R. Cross (clerk to the Borough Magistrates), C. W. Conington, H. Bright, A. A. Langstaffe, S. Pepper, E. H. Woodall, S. Tug- well, R.  Potter Garforth, T. Spink, W. Keld, W. J. Tranmer, Roberts, W T. Newham, j. Shaw, W. H. Snow-ball, G. S. Wellburn, E. Hopper, C. Fisher, W. Newlove, J. Gibson, —Gambles, —Clarke,—Bogg,, Kitchin, W. Dawber, G. Rhodes, F. Arnett, W. Vaughan, T. Devall, J. Weliburn, and many ladies, amongst whom we noticed the Mayoress (Mrs. V.. Fowler). The. cortege arrived at the church at 2-45, and the choral service was conducted by Archdeacon Mackarness. Mr. Owen Williams presided at the ,organ. The hymns sung during the service were "Rock of Ages," and " 0 God our help in ages ,past." The coffin was of polished oak, with brass mountings, and the breastplate bore the following inscription :—" Wm. Chas. Land, Born 27th March, 1828, Died 28th July, 1908. The floral tributes were very numerous They included the following :•" For dearest Charles, from his loving wife "; " For dearest Father, from Billy and Kate "; " To darling Grandad, from Dorrie and Sybil " • To dearest Charles, from Aggie "; " With much love and deepest sorrow, from Tom and Flo "; " With love and deep sorrow from Fred and Belie "; " With love and sympathy from the Misses Moore "; " With love and much sorrow from Lily, Walter, Emily, and Charlie "; From Mr. and Mrs. W. Exelby, tribute of affection and regret "; " Mrs. Thompson and Lila, with sorrowing sympathy "; " From Appleby and Reid, with deepest sympathy for their kind master "; " In loving memory, from Miss K. W. Hoare "; " Mrs. Goodricke, in loving memory". " Mr. and Mrs. J. Lupton Booth's love and sympathy "; " With Mr. Ronald Foster' sincere sympathy "; " From M. E. and F. Walker, 6, Gros-venor Crescent "; " With kind and grateful remem-brance, from Miss Moore, Moseley Lodge "; " memory of my old friend, from Sidney Tugwell, I,urrie,)plouth "; " With deep sympa.thy, from W. E. P 1-Y ; " With deep sympathy from Sir George and Lady Ida Sitwell "; " In affectionate memory of a tru_e friend, Mrs. M. C. Fowler and Mrs. Spencer ";
    "  " From the officials of St. Martin's Church "; With the Rev. Harold Merryweather's deep sympathy "; From the choir of St. Martin's-on-the-Hill, with sincere sympathy and much regret " " With deepest sympathy, from \V. R Rhodes, J. W. Russell, A. j. Coulson "; "A token of esteem and sympathy from the Borough justices " " With the deep sympathy of the Mayor and members of the Town Council "; "With deepest sympathy from the Chief Constable' and members of the Scarborough Police Force "; " With deepest sympathy from the officials of the Scarborough Corporation " " A token of respect from the head gardener and staff of the Public Walks and Pleasure Grounds ; and " From the Conserva-tive Association and Constitutional Club, with sincere regret." At the conclusion of an impressive service, Mr. Ow en Williams played a funeral march while the chief. mourners and the Mayor and Corporation were leaving the church. Then the procession moved avyray to the cemetery, a posse of twenty policemen leading the way. Archdeacon Mackarness concluded the ser-vice at the graveside. Amongst others at the cemetery not at the church Were: Messrs. W. P. Newham, J. Hall, j. Bastiman, Richardson, J. H. Delday, j. VV. Chapman, --Rae, R. Plaxton, G. Rodin, N.E.R., J. Clare, and C. E. Bradley. The funeral arrangements were efficiently carried °lit by Messrs. J. Tonks and Sons.