Samuel Alexander Sadler

Sir Samuel Alexander Sadler Knight M.P. J.P. V.D. (1842-1911) was an eminent industrialist and public servant associated with the town of Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.

Background

Samuel Alexander was the son of James Sadler and Mary Ann Millership of Langley Hall, near Oldbury, Worcestershire (now Oldbury, West Midlands). Members of the Sadler family contributed greatly to their native district of Oldbury and the Black Country during the nineteenth century, particularly Samuel Alexander's paternal uncle, John Sadler (1820-1910), yet the present subject found renown in the North East of England and surpassed all his kinsmen in that regard.

Career

Sadler was a chemist by profession and, having studied at the University of London, reputedly under Michael Faraday, he established a successful chemicals business based at Middlesbrough. It was due to the efforts of pioneers such as Sadler that Teesside became established as a leading centre of the chemicals industry in the United Kingdom. He was also a colliery owner and had interests in several colliery companies in County Durham.

Public Service

Beside his labours as an industrialist, Sadler served on Middlesbrough Council from 1873 and became Mayor on three occasions - 1877, 1896 and 1910. [http://www2.middlesbrough.gov.uk/it/webdevt/WebCoun.nsf/678feb1611045b0c8025674d004a2b74/fd710bcd0ac41b5b80256c2b00512081?OpenDocument] He succeeded at the third attempt to be elected as the first Conservative Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough (UK Parliament constituency) and unseated his predecessor and successor Joseph Havelock Wilson between 1900 and 1906. In addition, he became a Freeman of the Borough, served as Justice of the Peace, Alderman and was honoured with a knighthood in 1905.

Sadler was greatly interested in the Volunteer Services and rose to the rank of Honourable Colonel as the leader of several Volunteer Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry. He received the Volunteer Decoration. As a result of his efforts in this field, and as a reflection of his popularity due to repeated displays of popular philanthropy, Sadler was affectionately referred to as 'the Colonel'.

Two years following his death, a statue commemorating his service to the town was erected by subscription in Victoria Square, Middlesbrough. [http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/NE/MB03.htm]

Marriages and Issue

Samuel Alexander Sadler married firstly Rachael Sadler Field (1847-1873), his first cousin once removed, daughter of John Field and Mercy Ann Sadler of Oldbury in 1865, by whom he had issue. He married secondly her sister Mercy Sadler Field (b. 1853) in 1874, by whom he had issue. His second wife became Lady Sadler and outlived her husband. Sadler's second son by his first wife, Cecil James Sadler (b. 1868), married Amy Ropner, daughter of fellow Teesside magnate Sir Robert Ropner, 1st Baronet (1838-1924) of Preston Hall, near Stockton-on-Tees.

Ancestors

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1= 1. Sir Samuel Alexander Sadler (1842-1911)
2= 2. James Sadler (1817-1878)
3= 3. Mary Ann Millership (1818-1871)
4= 4. Benjamin Sadler (1777-1850)
5= 5. Nancy Johnson (1776-1852)
6= 6. Thomas Millership
8= 8. William Sadler (c. 1751-1817)
9= 9. Sarah Hadley (1754-1822)
10= 10. Thomas Johnson
11= 11. Mary Tunks/Tonks
18= 18. Samuel Hadley
19= 19. Sarah Medley

Further Sources

Record of Sir Samuel Alexander Sadler's parliamentary contributions in Hansard might be viewed on the following links. [http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/members/colonel-sadler] [http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/members/sir-samuel-sadler]

A photograph of Sir Samuel Alexander Sadler and his final place of residence at Eaglescliffe might be viewed on the following link. [http://www.tomorrows-history.com/CommunityProjects/PN0100030001/thssouthlandsvilla(7).htm]

References