Obituary

1905, June 1st

Mr. William Stobart, a well-known Durham colliery owner, died last week at his residence, Pepper Arden, near Northallerton, at the age of 84 years. Mr. Stobart was a son of Mr. William Stobart, a large colliery owner in the Chester-le-Street district, and was educated at Oxford. In 1847 he became connected with the Wearmouth Colliery Company, of which for some years past he has acted as chairman and managing director. He was also interested in the North-East Marine Engineering Works, and was a director of the Consett Iron Company, and owned the Washington Colliery. He had the distinction of being the "father" of the Wear Commission, having been elected to that body in 1850. Mr. Stobart was a magistrate for Durham, the North Riding of Yorkshire and the borough of Sunderland. Mr. Stobart left the Liberal party on the Home Rule question, and in 1886 he contested Sunderland in the Unionist interest, but was defeated, Mr. Storey and Mr. Gourley being elected. Mr. Stobart married a daughter of General Wylde, and was left a widower some years ago. There were five sons and two daughters of the marriage. The youngest daughter married a son of the late Professor Huxley.

Source: The Times