Sheffield manufacturer, baptised at Masbrough, Rotherham, 12 January 1834, his parents being William Skelton (1812-1880) and Elizabeth (1812-1882). In 1855 he founded a business in Sheffield manufacturing shovels, forks, picks, and other engineering and garden tools. In 1870 a former quarry was purchased and here Sheafbank Works was built. The busines became a private limited company in 1902. In 1962 in a company merger formed Brades, Skelton & Fryzack, which in turn became part of Spearwell Tools in 1967. A Liberal in politics, he served on Sheffield council for thirty-three years, was mayor in 1894 and deputy mayor in 1896, the year he was knighted. As a Methodist New Connexion Guardian Representative, he attended the first United Methodist Conference in 1907. He was buried in Norton Cemetery, Sheffield, on 1 October 1913.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
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