Obituaries can provide much information about the men and women behind the making of agricultural implements and machines, their businesses as well as their wider contributions to the communities in which they lived. We also get to read about their characters and sometimes their temperaments.
We have looked through a number of obituaries from some of the Scottish agricultural implement and machine makers from 1935. That year saw the passing of a number of makers. Some of them will be well-known to modern readers, others less so.
The first is David Davidson, Montrose, in the Brechin advertiser of 26 March 1935:
“Death of veteran agricultural engineer
The death occurred last Monday in the County Hospital, Brechin, of Mr David Davidson, who for many years had been associated with the engineering industry of Montrose. He was 87 years of age and for more than half-a-century had taken an active part in the installation of machinery in industrial concerns and farming establishments in the district.
The son of a farmer, Mr Charles Davidson, who was at one time tenant of Smallbank, near Marykirk, the deceased was born at Strachan, on Deeside. Eighty-six years ago, when Mr Davidson was born, the engineering business in Montrose was a flourishing one, and there were opportunities for the youth of the district to get a first-rate training. Mr Davidson served his time in the Links Foundry in Russell Street, and was employed for a time at Newcastle, but on leaving there he returned to Montrose, and had worked in this district continuously up to the date of his retirement. Threshing mills and farm machinery were a speciality of Mr Davidson’s, and until the introduction of oil engines there were few farms in the district which did not bear the mark of his handicraft.
Mr Davidson was a keen sportsmen and an expert shot. He did not retire until 73 years of age, when he came to Brechin up spend the remaining years of his life. He had a family of 14, one of whom, Sergeant-Major Davidson, of the 2nd Black Watch, was killed during the war. He is survived by six sons and five daughters, two of the former of whom reside in Montrose.”
A well-known Aberdeen name was Alfred Bisset of Bisset and Co., engineers, West North Street. The Aberdeen press and journal of 14 March 1935 noted:
“Former agricultural engineer
Death of Mr Alfred Bisset, Aberdeen
A well-known personality among farmers in the north-east of Scotland, Mr Alfred Bisset, engineer, died yesterday at his residence, 4 Park Road, Aberdeen.
Born at Aberdeen sixty-five years ago, Mr Bisset served his apprenticeship with his father, who was proprietor of the firm of Bisset and Co., engineers, West North Street. He succeeded to the business son the death of his father, and carried it on until some twelve years ago, when he retired.
The firm specialised in agricultural machinery, and Mr Bisset was widely known by farmers throughout the district.
Outside his business Mr Bisset had few interests except Freemasonry. He was a member of the Old Aberdeen Lodge.
Mr Bisset had been ailing for about a year, but had been confined to bed for only three weeks.
Predeceased by his wife thirteen years ago, he is survived by three sons and two daughters.”
A well-known Glasgow name was Robert Wallace, a director of Messrs John Wallace & Sons, agricultural engineers. Dennistoun, Glasgow, noted by The Scotsman on 3 July 1935:
“Late Mr Robert Wallace
The death has occurred of Mr Robert Wallace, a director of Messrs John Wallace & Sons, agricultural engineers. Dennistoun, Glasgow. The business was established over 70 years ago. Mr Wallace travelled for many years on behalf of the firm, and regularly visited the agricultural markets of Fife, Perthshire, and the Lothians. An authority on agricultural matters, his advice was much in demand. He was the youngest of four brothers.”
