John Percy Taylor

Mayor of Bolton: 1934-35 (Liberal)

Born: Cope Bank, Bolton 20 June 1868

Died: Cheshire 26 September 1945

Educated: Chorlton High School; Owens College, Manchester

Master cotton spinner.

Son of Charles Taylor, proprietor of Charles Taylor and Bros Ltd, cotton spinners, Brownlow Fold, Bolton. Became Managing Director of the company until his retirement in 1919. Lived at Woodside, Heaton.

Grandson of John Harwood, Mayor of Bolton, 1860-61.

He was made an Associate of Owens College and a Member of the Convocation of Victoria University. Awarded an Honorary Degree in 1943.

Represented Halliwell Ward 1900-03 then again 1914-42.

Unsuccessful Liberal Parliamentary candidate in the 1924 General Election.

Magistrate 1926. Appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1926.

Created Alderman March 1931.

Given Honorary Freedom of Bolton October 1938.

President of the North-Western Branch of the Libraries Association.

Unitarian - he was an active member of the Guild of Help and Bank Street Chapel.

His wife, Ellen, was Mayoress. She was also a Councillor in her own right for a time.

Formal portrait of John Percy Taylor as Mayor of Bolton. Click for larger image

John Percy Taylor's link on the Mayor of Bolton's Chain of Office.

Click for larger image

Gules two lions' queues erased and in saltire or between two bezants in pale.

Crest = On a wreath or and gules a lion's queue erased and in pale or between two roses gules barbed and seeded or.

These arms were granted to Taylor in 1926 when he became High Sheriff and are on display in the Shire Hall.