Lister Kershaw

[1824-1891]



Lister Kershaw was the son of Richard Kershaw. Born in Wyke [26th October 1824].

He was a gardener of 4 acres with 1 man [1851]; a gardener/seedsman with 4 acres and 2 men [1861]; a nurseryman/seedsman with 11¾ acres and 4 men [1871]; a nurseryman/seedsman [1891].

In 1847, he began a nursery business at Waring Green.

In 1860, he found and bought a site at 27 Bradford Road – see the accompanying illustration. Not long afterwards, he had to buy a further two plots at Lightcliffe and Clifton which amounted to a combined acreage of some 14 acres.

He had a seed and flower shop at Commercial Buildings, Brighouse which he occupied for almost 25 years.

Shortly before his death, he moved and opened another at 80 Briggate.

At any one time, the business was reputed to have 200,000 plants in stock. It was said that almost every fruit tree imaginable was cultivated on his nursery sites.

The company also provided landscape gardening services, and were involved with the grounds at Brighouse Cemetery, Bowling Park at Bradford, Devonshire Park at Keighley, and the Municipal Park at West Hartlepool.

The company received numerous financial awards for their work in the area of public parks.

On 12th May 1847, he married Hannah Rushworth [1818-1876] at Halifax Parish Church.


Hannah was born in Halifax, the daughter of Esther (née Crowther) & John Rushworth
 

Children:

  1. Sarah [1847-1927] who remained unmarried, and  worked in the family's shops for 68 years
  2. Henry
  3. Charlotte [1851-1910] who married David  Jackson
  4. Fanny [1853-1879] who married [1872] Joe William  Hopwood and had a son William Harold [b 1876]
  5. Mary [1855-1914] who was a milliner [1881] and  married [1852] Henry Gill [b 1856]
  6. John Richard

The family lived at

Living with them in 1881 were grandson William Harold Hopwood [aged 5] and niece Edith Hopwood [aged 8].

Lister died 16th November 1891 (aged 67).

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £1,152 11/11d. Probate was granted to son Henry Kershaw.

After his death, his son John Richard took over the business.

Hannah died 7th May 1876 [aged 57].

The couple were buried at Brighouse Cemetery


This & associated entries use material contributed by Margaret Elliott, David Kershaw & Jeffrey Knowles



© Malcolm Bull 2024
Revised 18:27 / 21st September 2024 / 5126

Page Ref: ZZ_27

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