Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1930 & 39

Robert Hopwood (1851 - 1931)


Robert Hopwood was a full-time Agent for the Conservative Party in Salford and also became a Councillor, then Alderman for Salford Council.


He was born in 1851 in Collyhurst, Manchester. His father was Thomas Hopwood (b.1825 in Manchester) who was a Cotton Weaver. His mother was Mary, nee Bates (b.1825 in London) who were married at Manchester Cathedral on 2nd October 1948. Robert was the eldest child and in 1861, when they lived at 90 West Union Street, Salford, his siblings were Joseph (b.1858 in Salford) and John (b.1860 in Salford). Also in the house was Robert's grandfather, John Hopwood (b.1796 in Salford) who was a Cotton Weaver, and Robert's aunt, Ann Hopwood (b.1843 in Manchester) who was also a Cotton Weaver. In 1871 the family lived at Regent Street, Salford. Thomas was aged 46, Mary was aged 44, Robert was aged 19, Joseph was aged 12 and newcomers Ann (b.1863 in Salford), was 8 and Thomas jnr (b.1868 in Salford) was 3. On 10th February 1873, when Robert was aged 22, his mother Mary died aged 46.


On 27th May 1874, Robert married Ellen Hogg at St Bartholomew's Church, Salford. Ellen was born in 1854 at Worsley, the daughter of Samuel Hogg and she lived at 24, Wilburn Street, Salford, (the address of her sister Alice, who was married to William Thorney). Robert's occupation was given as Small Ware Weaver of 76 Regent Road, Salford. In 1881, Robert and Ellen lived at 45 Hartington Street, Salford with two children, Thomas (b.1876 in Salford) aged 5 and Mary (b.1879 in Salford) aged 2. Robert's occupation was Clerk in Smallwear Mill. In 1891 the family lived at West Park Street, Salford and Robert was a Warehouseman. Another addition to the family was Frank (b.1890 in Salford) aged 1.


On 9th August 1900, Robert's son Thomas married Sarah Battle aged 26, the daughter of William Battle, Foreman of 33, West Bank Street, Salford. Thomas's occupation was given as Solicitor's Clerk and Robert's occupation was Registration Agent. In the 1901 census Robert and Ellen lived at 24 Enbridge Street Salford with Mary aged 22 and Frank aged 11. Robert was a Registration Agent for the Conservative Party. On 26th April 1905, Robert's daughter Mary married Arthur Turner at St Bartholomew's Church, Salford. Arthur was aged 26, a School Attendance Officer and the son of Henry Turner, Pensioner of 15 Walter Street, Salford. In 1911, Robert and Ellen lived at 1 Cardigan Street, Pendleton with their son Frank aged 21, Technical School Clerk.


Robert Hopwood's political career started as Registration Agent for the Conservative Party and he was elected Councillor for Ordsall Ward in 1898. He was Councillor for a number of year, on occasions being elected unopposed, until he was elevated to Alderman. In total over 30 years service. He was also Secretary of St Bartholomew's Church Sunday School, where it is recorded that he gave out prizes to scholars in 1889. He was also appointed Sidesman at Manchester Cathedral.


Robert Hopwood died on 30th June 1931, aged 80 and was buried in the family grave at Weaste Cemetery. His widow Ellen, died 6 months later on 19th December 1931, aged 79 and was re-united with Robert.