Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1880 & 89

Francis Wilkinson Popplewell (1821 - 1889)


Francis Wilkinson Popplewell was a Chartered Accountant with premises in King Street, Manchester. He also helped to set up the Manchester Institute of Accountants and became one of its earliest Presidents.

 

He was born in London on 21st December 1821, the son of William and Mary Ann Popplewell. He was Christened at St. Luke's Church, Old Street, Finsbury, London on 20th January 1822. In 1842 he married Elizabeth Buck by registrar in Salford. He was 20 and she was 22. They had eight children: William James (born 1843 in Salford), Francis (born 1845 in Rusholme), Alfred Paul (born 1850 in Pendleton), Elizabeth Emma (born 1852 at Pendleton), Walter (born 1853 at Prestwich), Henry Horsfield (born 1856 at Prestwich, died 25th March 1866 aged 10), Mary Ann James (born 1857 at Pendleton, died 19th April 1859 aged 1 year and 10 months) and Sarah Buck (born 1859 at Salford).

 

The Salford |Reporter of 6th April 1889 records "Much regret will be felt in the neighbourhood at the death of Mr Francis Wilkinson Popplewell FCA of Inveranaid, Beever Park, Didsbury, who was formerly a well known resident in Pendleton for many years. Mr Popplewell was the head of the firm of Messers F.W. Popplewell and Son, chartered accountants, Manchester, where he began business in 1851. He was one of the founders in 1871, and one of the earliest presidents of the Manchester Institute of Accountants, which afterwards took active measures towards obtaining the Charter for the incorporation of Accountants. Apart from business, Mr Popplewell's death will be felt in other directions. The Hospital Sunday Committee has lost a constant and sympathetic supporter, having been a member since the year after its inception. Mr Popplewell was a well known member of the Baptist denomination, and was a warm supporter of the various institutions of the Great George Street church. He was one of the three gentlemen who took the initial steps in the establishment of the Baptist Church in Nursery Street, Pendleton, of which he was a member until the time of his death."

 

He had been unwell for some time, but was able to attend his business up to a couple of days before his death on Tuesday evening 26th March at the age of 67 years. The funeral was held on Saturday 30th March at Weaste Cemetery where he was interred in plot B1 of the Dissenters portion. The service was conducted by Rev J.G. Skemp, minister of Nursery Street Baptist Church.