The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-28 00:00:00

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DEATH OF MR. JOHN HAIINVARD.

Mr. John Harward, solicitor, of this town, who
has been lying ill for several weeks at his house
The Hollens, Grasmere, Westmoreland, died on
Monday evening last, in his 63rd year. The news
of his death was received by all classes with the
most profound regret. not only in the neighbour-
hood of Stourbridge, but through all the surround-
ing district and has filled his numerous friends
with the deepest sorrow. As head of the firm of
Messrs. Harwards, Shepherd, and Mills he was
well known professionally, having been in
practice in this town for nearly 40 years. He had
been for many years Registrar of the County Court,
was one of the Clerks to the Local Magistrates,
Secretary to the Stourbridge Canal Company, and
represented the Great Western Railway Company
in this district. He was also Clerk to the Lieu-
tenancy for the County of Worcester until the death
of the late Lord Lyttelton. The project for the
present railway from Stourbridge to Birmingham
was helped forward by Mr. Harward, as were
various other railway schemes in the neighbour-
hood. Apart from his profession there were many
other matters which rendered Mr. Harward
prominent and valuable citizen. He was a warm
promoter of philanthropic and religious work and
took a leading part in the temperance movement,
the principles of which he aided by his own ex-
ample. Most charitable also and helpful in various ,
other ways he was, and his loss will be felt as a
personal one by many who from time to time ex-
perienced his kindness. Mr. Harward was a man
of great litercry taste and up to the time of his
ceasing to reside in Stourbridge he possessed one
a the finest private libraries in England. His
present Theological Library at Winterfold is, per-
haps, the best collection in the Midland Counties.
He was an able and eloquent speaker, of great
memory and mental resource, with a graceful de-
livery and commanding presence. Mr. Harward
was essentially a practical man and at a time when
agricultural affairs are so much discussed it ought
to be borne in mind that he not only greatly im-
proved the estate at Winterfold, but gave a
stimulus to high-class farming in the district
around, especially by the introduction of machinery
and better breeds of horses, cattle, and sheep. He
was ever most solicitous for thel well-being of his
farm labourers, and was one of the first to adopt
the measures proposed for the amelioration of this
class of the community. As a short-horn breeder
he was well known all over the kingdom, and his
present herd of short-horns at Winterfolci is a very
valuable one. He assisted in the formation of the
Short-horn Society, and was, up to the time of his
death, a member of the Council of that body. In
potitics Mr. Harward was a stedfast adherent of
Liberal principles. Few men have been more
loved and looked up to by those who knew him
than was Mr. Harward, and all who came in con-
tact with him will ever remember him with mourn-
ful pleasure. The distinguishing thoroughness,
integrity, and high principle with which he always
acted, his kind, large-hearted disposition, his con-
scientious, upright character and wide beneficance,
have made his industrious and useful life an ex-
ample, and will ensure for his memory a lasting
affection and respect.