Airmyn Blacksmith & Goole Councillor: Ralph Longhorn

Goole History > Goole People & Families > Ralph Longhorn

 

From the Goole Times, Friday, 24th May 1935:

 

DEATH OF MR RALPH LONGHORN
RURAL COUNCILLOR'S CAREER - YEARS OF PUBLIC WORK

 

By the death of Mr Ralph Longhorn, of Airmyn, the Goole rural district has lost one of its best known public figures. Mr Longhorn, who was 75 years of age, died in the Royal Naval Hospital, Hull, on Monday following an illness of about a fortnight's duration.

Mr Longhorn occupied many public offices, and was a member of the Airmyn Parish Council for over 20 years, being vice-chairman for several years. He was also an overseer and County Council representative on the Airmyn School Committee. For a quarter of a century he was sidesman at Airmyn Parish Church, and in 1924 was elected to the Goole Rural District Council and the Goole Board of Guardians.

He was also a member of the Snaith Local Pensions Sub-Committee, a Governor of Goole Grammar School, and a member of the Goole and Selby Assessment Committee. For many years he was a special constable.

Mr Longhorn was the son of Mr and Mrs William Longhorn, and was born at Airmyn. When ten years of age he began work as a farm hand, being paid sixpence a day. He continued working for two years and was then employed by Mr Richard Wells, of Boothferry, earning a shilling a day. He also worked on the farm of Mr J. Butterworth, of Airmyn.

When sixteen years old Mr Longhorn was apprenticed to Messrs James Hopkinson and Sons, blacksmiths, of Bridge Street, Goole, and worked there for 22 years, following which he was employed for 12 1⁄2 years as a blacksmith by Mr T. Hewson, of Bridge Street. He later took up possession of a shop in Airmyn, continuing as a blacksmith until 1908, and retiring from business in 1920.

In 1932, Mr Longhorn and his wife celebrated their golden wedding, having been married on 4th March 1882 at Snaith Parish Church by the then Vicar of Snaith (Rev. Charles Edward Storrs).

On 4th February 1922, Mr Longhorn and his son took a prominent part in the rescue of the survivors from the Airmyn ferry-boat disaster, in which three people lost their lives when the boat capsized as they were being rowed across the Aire.

He leaves a widow, three sons and a daughter.

The interment took place at Airmyn yesterday afternoon and was proceeded by a service in the Parish Church, conducted by the Rev. E. C. Botwood (Vicar).