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Arthur Wightman (1842 - 1924), solicitor

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Arthur Wightman (1842 - 1924), solicitor
Sheffield
1865
1851-1899
Mackie and Swann, High Street, Sheffield

Arthur Wightman was born in Sheffield on 20 December 1842, son of Benjamin Wightman (c. 1816 - 1867), a highly regarded solicitor who established a successful practice in Sheffield in partnership with John William Pye Smith (1809 - 1865). One of 13 surviving children, Arthur Wightman grew up on Broomhall Road, Sheffield. He was educated at Sheffield Collegiate School and afterwards at Rossall School and also in Germany. He studied law and was a Clifford's Inn law examination 'prizeman' in 1865.

After his studies, Arthur Wightman became a prominent solicitor and public notary in Sheffield, where he was articled to Bernard Wake. Arthur joined his father's firm, but, after Benjamin Wightman's death in 1867, Arthur joined Mr Barnard Platts Broomhead's firm where they were also joined in business by Mr E. T. Moore, forming what became a well-known legal partnership Broomhead, Wightman and Moore.

Arthur Wightman served as Justice of the Peace and Town Trustee for Sheffield. He also served as Honorary Secretary of the Sheffield School of Art (succeeding his father) from 1865 until its transfer to the Sheffield Corporation. Other roles he had included: Secretary of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Company, Director of Dinnington Main Colliery Co., Member of the Council of the University of Sheffield, Chairman of the Local Board of the Alliance Assurance Company Ltd., Governor of the old Sheffield Royal Grammar School and later Governor of King Edward VII School, Member of the Council of the Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom, Treasurer (and later President) of the Sheffield Incorpated Law Society, Director of the Solicitors' Benevolent Assocation (London), Trustee of Birley's Charity and Treasurer of the Bradfield Game Association. He was also a member of the Junior Constitutional Club and the Sheffield Club.

Arthur Wightman was twice married. In 1869, he married Susannah, daughter of Joseph White of Babworth, but Susannah died not long afterwards in May 1870. On 21 September 1872, Arthur Wightman married his second wife Edith Hoole (1850 - 1943), daughter of Mr Charles Hoole (1805 - 1876) of Hallam Gate, Crookes (where Arthur Wightman and Edith later lived). The marriage took place at St Thomas' Church, Crookes. Charles Hoole was a successful grocer who also served as director of both Sheffield Gas and Water Companies.

Arthur Wightman resided at Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield and later at Hallam Gate, Crookes (the home formerly belonging to his father-in-law). He also had a country residence of Lady Bower, Derwent Woodlands, Derbyshire.

Arthur Wightman died on 28 May 1924, aged 81. He was survived by his wife Edith and two sons: Benjamin Arthur Wightman (1873 - 1937) who, like his father, became a solicitor of the family firm Broomhead, Wightman and Reed, and Denis Conway Wightman (1876 - 1933), member of the firm of Messrs Turton Bros. and Matthews, steel manufacturers. A third son Charles Hoole Wightman (1874 - 1895) died whilst a student at Cambridge].

Original at Sheffield City Archives: X814/1/1/1a.

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