William Harkess 1860

William was born about 1860, the son of William and Hannah Harkess, at Middles-brough, Yorkshire. He married Sarah Ethel Ridley. He was chairman of William Harkess & Sons Limited, shipbuilders of Middlesbrough. William was one of the first pupils to be educated at Middles-brough High School, Stockton Grammar School and then abroad. He began work with Messrs Blair & Co. as an apprentice engineer followed by time in a drawing office with Raylton Dixon at the Cleveland Dockyard. His residences included Park Rd (Villa), later site of the Maternity Home and later for over 35 years at

Levenside, Stokesley. William was instru-mental in the formation of Tees Division of Volunteer Submarine Miners Volunteer Corps eventually serving in the rank of Lieutenant. In 1901 he began his dedication to public life on the town council representing Vulcan Ward and in 1908 Grove Hill (until his retirement in 1921). He became Mayor of Middlesbrough and presented a silk hat to the Middlesbrough Corporation. A dedicated businessman who abhorred 'time wasting', during the 1914-18 War under his close guidance his company manufactured 19 vessels including an undercover "Q" boat and 4 minesweepers, whilst 76 of his staff also fought in that conflict. During his life he was a representative of the Tees Pilotage Association and the Tees Port Sanitary Authority whilst also a member of the Cleveland Club. Further social involvement was with the Levenside Bowling Club and he enjoyed shooting and fishing. A philanthropic man throughout his life, he supported many charitable events and aims and was involved in the holding of an RSPCA fete in the grounds of his home the day before his sudden death in September 1937.

Sarah Ethel Ridley 1867-1933
Sarah was born on 21 June 1867, the daughter of Thomas Dawson Ridley and Sarah Hindmarch, at Paddington, London.
I have identified the following children.

Elizabeth Ethel	Born 4 Feb 1892	Middlesbrough, Yorkshire	Married Theodore Fenwick Hedley
Evelyn Mary	Born abt 1893	Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Norah Kathleen	Born abt 1894	Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
William Ridley	Born abt 1896	Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Joan Greta	Born abt 1900	Middlesbrough, Yorkshire

Birth of Parents

William Harkess

b: abt 1860 c: 16 Oct 1860 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1860 4Q Stockton 10a 27
son of William and Hannah Harkess

Sarah Ethel Ridley

b: 21 Jun 1867 c: 15 Jul 1867 Saint John The Evangelist, Paddington, London
daughter of Thomas Dawson Ridley and Sarah Hindmarch, 7 Carlton Road 1867 3Q Kensington 1a 15

Marriage

1891
William Harkess
Sarah Ethel Ridley

Guisborough, Yorkshire 1891 2Q Guisbro' 9d 717

Children

Elizabeth Ethel Harkess

b: 4 Feb 1892 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1892 1Q Middlesbro' 9d 521
daughter of William Harkess and Sarah Ethel Ridley

Evelyn Mary Harkess

b: abt 1893 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1893 2Q Middlesbro' 9d 567
daughter of William Harkess and Sarah Ethel Ridley

Norah Kathleen Harkess

b: abt 1894 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1894 4Q Middlesbro' 9d 529
daughter of William Harkess and Sarah Ethel Ridley

William Ridley Harkess

b: abt 1896 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1896 2Q Middlesbro' 9d 545
son of William Harkess and Sarah Ethel Ridley

Joan Greta Harkess

b: abt 1900 Middlesbrough, Yorkshire 1900 2Q Middlesbro' 9d 597
daughter of William Harkess and Sarah Ethel Ridley

1901 Census	RG13-4581	1 April 1901	Middlesbro, Middlesbro
Park Villas, Linthorpe
William Harkess Sarah Ethel (Wife) Elizabeth Ethel Evelyn Mary Norah Kathleen William Ridley Joan G.	Age 40 Age 33 Age 9 Age 8 Age 6 Age 4 Age 10 Mos	Ship Builder & Owner	Middlesbro London Middlesbro Middlesbro Middlesbro Middlesbro Middlesbro	Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire	abt 1860 21 Jun 1867 4 Feb 1892 abt 1893 abt 1894 abt 1896 abt 1900

1911 Census	RG14-(176)1	3 April 1911	Stokesley, Yorkshire - North Riding
Levenside (17 Rooms)
William Harkess Sarah Ethel (Wife) Joan Greta (Dau) Edward Walker (Visitor) Plus 3 Servants	Age 50 Age 43 Age 10 Age 54	Ship Builder	Middlesbro Marylebone Middlesbro Sunderland	Yorkshire Middleswex Yorkshire Durham	abt 1860 21 Jun 1867 abt 1900 abt 1856

Death

Sarah Ethel (Ridley) Harkess

Died 25 Apr 1933 Stokesley, Middlesbrough

The Times, Thursday, Apr 27, 1933 Death

On April 25, 1933, at Levenside, Stokesley, Sarah Ethel, wife of William Harkess. Funeral from residence for Stokesley Churchyard at 2:30 to-morrow (Friday).

LONDON 30 May 1933 Probate

HARKESS, Sarah Ethel, of Levenside, Stokesley, Yorkshire (wife of WIlliam Harkess) died 25 April 1933, Probate London, 30 May, to the said William Harkess esquire, and Evelyn Mary Harkess, spinster Effects £8,397 7s. 6d.

Death

William Harkess

Died 2 Sep 1937, Age 77, Stokesley, Middlesbrough

The Times, Friday, Sep 3, 1937 OBITUARY

Mr. W. Harkess
Mr. William Harkess, who was mayor of Middlesbrough in 1907, died at his residence, Levenside, Stokesley, yesterday, at the age of 77. He was chairman of William Harkess & Sons Limited, shipbuilders of Middlesbrough, a firm that constructed many fine vessels and contributed national service during the war, principally by building mine sweeepers, trawlers, and what were known as "P" boats. For many years he was associated with the Tees Submarine Miners Volunteer Corps, in which he held a commission.

LONDON 27 Oct 1937 Probate

HARKESS, William, of Levenside, Stokesley, Yorkshire, died 2 September 1937, Probate London, 27 October, to Evelyn Mary Harkess, spinster, and Joan Greta Barker (wife of Lancelot Thomas Barker). Effects £26,896 4s. 2d.