George Sellar and Son, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, was renowned for its ploughs and spring implements such as harrows and grubbers. Between 1904 and 1914 there were a number of its employees and managers that were celebrated by the business.
Let’s meet them.
In March 1904 James Cook was honoured at an “at home” event to celebrate his 46 years’ service at the business. The Aberdeen press and journal of 5 March 1904 reported his presentation :
“Employees of Messrs George Sellar and Son
Presentation to Mr and Mrs James Cook
The employees of Messrs George Sellar and Son, implement manufacturers, Huntly, held an “at home” in Gordon’s Temperance Hall on Thursday night, when there was a large attendance. The object of the gathering was to do some honour to Mr James Cook on his severing his connection with the establishment after 46 years’ service.
Mr Alex Ledingham, the new foreman, presided, and was supported by Mr and Mrs Cook, Miss Brander, George Street; Mr and Mrs A. Morrison, Mr and Mrs J. Stephen, Mr Pirie, traveller, etc. After an excellent tea, the chairman thanked his fellow workmen for the honour they had done them in asking him to preside on that occasion, when they had met to do honour to Mr and Mrs Cook, to whom they accorded a hearty welcome. They also welcomed the friends who had come there to help them to spend a pleasant evening. [applause]
The Chairman then gave “The King”, the toast being loyally responded to.
Mr W. Brown having given an excellent rendering of “The Four Jolly Smiths”, the Chairman called upon Mr John Stephen to make the presentations.
Mr Stephen, in making the presentation, said-We have met together to do honour to one who has been a fellow-workman, and who also held the first place amongst us for a good number of years. I do not remember Mr Cook being in any inferior position, although I am aware that he began at the foot of the ladder just as many another successful man has done. (applause) He was always cheerful, sympathetic, and helpful amongst us. We claim him as our representative man. (Applause) I am sure we have often been proud to hear his voice at public meetings, even if some of us may not have always endorsed his sentiments. (Hear, hear) We are also pleased to remember that he served the town as a commissioner with much acceptance for some time, and our hope is that, now this time is at his own disposal, we may again have the pleasure of seeing him elected as a town councillor. (Applause) There are many things that one might refer to, such as his services in the management of the Cottage Hospital, which I believe have been valuable. In a word let me say that as a working man Mr Cook has been an example to working men of sobriety, persevering industry, wise and careful management, and high morality. (Loud applause) On behalf of your fellow-workmen, I have to ask your acceptance of those two pictures, and a silver salver for Mrs Cook, remembering that she has climbed the hill with you and helped to lighten the cares and worries which must have often assailed you in the discharge of the various duties which fell to your hand to perform. (Applause) We all hope that there may be many happy days yet in store for you both, and that the weight of years to come may rest even more lightly upon you than those of the past. (Loud applause)
The pictures presented were large copies of Mr Joseph Farquharson’s (A.R.A.) well-known studies-“Home through the wood”, and “The close of day”. The salver had the following inscription upon it:-“Presented along with two pictures to Mr James Cook by his fellow-workmen in the employment of Mr George Sellar and Son, on the occasion of his retiral after 40 years’ service with the firm-3rd March 1904.”
Mr Cook, in the course of his reply said-If Mr Stephen had difficulty in speaking to you, I have been greater difficulty. I am, however, very much indebted to you for the opportunity you have given me of meeting you all in a social capacity. I can assure you I appreciate your parting gift very highly, and shall always treasure it in remembrance of the many happy days I have spent amongst you. (Loud applause) This is not eth first occasion on which I have received a tangible expression of your kindness, and I beg to thank you one and all for the hearty co-operation and the willing support I have always received from you when called on to carry out an irksome duty. (Applause) No one in public business need expect to get through this world without some worry, and it is often a very useful discipline. Many are the changes that have taken place since May, 1864, when I entered the service of the late Mr Sellar, whose honoured memory is still in my recollection. (Applause) I am sorry to say that my colleagues of that date only five remain; the others have gone over to the majority. The alterations and additions that have been made at the works are of such an extent that the old place can hardly be recognised. They are now four times the size of what they were then, three additional branches having been added-the moulding, engineering, and pattern-making-and by the introduction of steam plant, and other modern appliances, the system of working has been entirely revolutionised. (Applause) The speaker having referred to the output of the firm annually, went on to say-There has been a corresponding increase in the number of men employed. At that time we did not exceed 20; now you will number between 70 and 80. In connection with this it has been a great pleasure to me that there was so little shifting amongst you, not a few of you being from 10 to 36 years in the firm’s service, besides that marvellous veteran, Mr William Smith-with the long record of 48 years-and on that account I suppose I will have to forgive him, but he has always been guilty of the great crime of looking down upon me as a newcomer. {Laughter and applause) The firm of George Sellar and Son had attained a world-wide reputation for plough-making before I entered it, and it has always been my ambition to do what I could do to keep it in the front rank. (Applause) In conclusion, I would again ask you to accept of my warmest thanks, and those of my wife, for all your kindness, and in bidding you good-bye we unite in wishing you much success in your daily employment and every happiness in your own homes. (Applause)
On the call of the Chairman the health of Mr and Mrs Cook was enthusiastically pledged, with musical honours.
The hall was then cleared and with music and dancing the hour of midnight was reached all too soon. A violin selection was played by Mr James Russell; a hornpipe was danced by Mr W. Mitchell, who also sang a song; and songs were contributed by Mr George Mitchell Jun, and Mr W. Brown.
The gifts presented were supplied by Messrs J. Cruikshank and Son, ironmongers, Huntly.”
A second member was Edward C. Sellar who died in March 1909. The recognition of his importance is seen in the account of his funeral, recorded in the Aberdeen press and journal of 18 March 1909:
“Funeral of Mr Edward C. Sellar, Huntly
The funeral of Mr Edward C. Sellar took place from his sister’s residence, Polmood, Huntly, yesterday afternoon, to the place of internment in Huntly Cemetery. There was a large attendance of townsfolk and of country people, and this in spite of the heavy and blocked conditions of many of the roads. Service in the house was conducted in presence of the relatives by Rev A. S. Lawrie, Strathbogie United Free Church. The remains were encased in a massive oaken chest, with brass mountings, which bore many beautiful floral expressions of sympathy. Behind the general public came the workmen employed at the works of Messrs G. Sellar and Son, agricultural implement manufacturers (with whom the deceased was a great favourite) Four of the employees carried the remains from the cemetery gate to the graveside, where an impressive shirt service was conducted by Mr Laidlaw. As the cortage passed through the town all places of business were closed, and private houses had their blinds drawn as a token of respect.”
The cashier of George Sellar and Son until June 1909 was John Mitchell. He had been employed for many years. The Aberdeen press and journal, of 14 June 1909, noted his death and his career at the business:
“Mr John Mitchell Huntly
Painful surprise was created in Huntly yesterday morning when it became known that Mr John Mitchell, cashier with Messrs George Sellar and Son, implement manufacturers, had passed away. He was in his excellent health on Saturday, and spent the afternoon with his sister-in-law at East Park Street, leaving her house after 8 at night. He had been taking a walk home by the Meadow Braces when he had suddenly become ill and fallen. Later in the evening he was found unconscious, and intimation was sent to his brother, Robert Mitchell, painter, who at once proceeded to the spot. Mr Mitchell was taken to the Cottage Hospital, but he never rallied, and died at 4 o’clock yesterday morning. He was the fourth surviving son of the late Mr George Mitchell, who was employed for many years with the firm of Messrs Sellar and Sons. Deceased joined the office staff in the late Mr Sellar’s days, and ever enjoyed the highest confidence and regard of his employers. He was of singularly upright character, and had a deep interest in religious work. In his younger days he was one of the most useful members of the cricket club. Of a quiet and retiring nature, he was much liked by a wide circle, who will regret to hear of his death. The deceased was in his 47th year. His relatives have much sympathy extended to them in their sudden bereavement.”
In April 1914 the Huntly express reported the death of John Bowie, who had been employed by the business for almost fifty years:
“The late Mr John Bowie, Huntly
By the death of Mr John Bowie, which took place at his residence in Old Road on Tuesday, another link with the business community of Huntly has been severed. John has not enjoyed robust health for some time, and though the end came somewhat suddenly, his intimate friends were not unprepared for the tidings of his death. John was one of the best known and most respected citizens; quiet and unostentatious to a degree though he was keenly interested in all that affected the welfare of the town. Born in Grange 73 years ago, he was engaged in farm service at Craigwillie, Ittingstone, and Comisty in his younger days; but it was as an employee of the well-known firm of Messrs George Sellar and Sons, implement manufacturers, that he was best known. He was in the service of this firm for almost fifty years, and during that long period was a faithful and trusted servant of his employers. Until a few years ago, John was for long a familiar figure at the shows of the Royal and Northern Agricultural Societies, in attendance at the stands of implements of his employers and Mr Sellar, the respected head of the firm, was wont to introduce John to the firm’s customers as one who had grown grey in their service. John was thoroughly conversant with all the implements which the firm from time to time introduced, and what he did not know about the famous Sellae plough and other implements was not worth knowing. John was until quite recently a regular attender of local ploughing matches, and could judge a rig with the best. The intelligence of his death will recall to many of the employees of the well-known firm now far away from the homeland, many pleasant memories of genial John Bowie. Deceased was an attached member of the Established Church, and in politics he was a staunch Conservative of the old school. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and three married daughters. One of the sons is Mr William Bowie, who served his apprenticeship in the Huntly “Express” and is now proprietor of the Balaclava Bar, Fraserburgh. The other son, John, has been in the employment of the Aberdeen Corporation for about 16 years as a blacksmith, while the daughters are in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen respectively. The funeral takes place today to the Huntly Cemetery.”
