Horse-Drawn Transport in Leeds : William Turton, Corn Merchant and Tramway Entrepreneur

William Turton (1825—1900) became the most experienced and respected developer of urban transport in northern England. Turton began a hay dealership at age 19, becoming a large-scale corn, fodder, and coal merchant. He invested in livery stables, cabs, and horse omnibuses. He was a founding director of Leeds Tramways Company, and chairman for most of its existence to 1896. As a borough councilor for many years, he was close to decision-making, and ran risks of insider dealing and conflicts of interest. With Daniel Busby he pioneered tramways for most northern cities (including Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Newcastle). He adopted steam engines alongside horses, the real heroes of the story. His great-great-grandson reveals his fascinating life story. Cover -- Title -- Dedication -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Picture Credits -- Preface -- Introduction -- Part I Leeds -- 1 Golden Fleece -- 2 'Unhappy Abodes of Filthy Misery' -- Part II Initial Capital 1844-1870 -- 3 William - Apprentice Mechanic -- Mary - Flax Mill Worker -- 4 William Turton, Corn & Hay Merchant -- 5 New King Coal -- 6 Horsepower -- 7 Turton's Buses -- Part III Society and Politics 1860-1900 -- 8 A Resurgent Borough -- 9 Hayfield House -- 10 'Turton and Victory' -- 11 Councillor Turton -- 12 Cellars and Sewers -- Part IV Tramways 1870-1900 -- 13 Enter the Tram -- 14 Leeds Tramways Company - Infrastructure -- 15 Leeds Tramways Company - Stakeholders -- 16 Gathering Steam -- 17 Municipalisation -- 18 Turton & Busby in the North -- 19 Electric Shock -- Part V Succession 1900-1925 -- 20 Passing On -- 21 Inheritance -- 22 Heritage -- Bibliography -- Plates -- About the Author -- Copyright William Turton (1825-1900) became the most experienced and respected developer of urban transport in northern England. Turton began a hay dealership aged nineteen, becoming a large-scale corn, fodder and coal merchant. He investing in livery stables, cabs and horse omnibuses. He was a founding Director of Leeds Tramways Company and Chairman for most of its existence to 1896. As a Borough Councillor for many years, he was close to decision-making and ran risks of insider dealing and conflicts of interest. With Daniel Busby he pioneered tramways for most northern cities (including Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham and Newcastle). He adopted steam engines alongside horses, the real heroes of the story. His great-great-grandson reveals his fascinating life story The golden age of coaching came between 1815 and 1840 as great road improvements occurred allowing trams, carts and buggies to be towed by horses comfortably. As companies vied for market share, one man stood out above the rest. William Turton made his money as a Hay and Corn Merchant but is better known as a founder and long-time chairman of Leeds Tramways Company and with the Busby brothers, founder and director of horse tramways in ten of the largest cities of northern England. It is an exciting mixture of biography, social history and city politics.