The history of Samuel Gawith and Company - part V

Samuel the Third was two years and five months old at his father‘s death, and once again the company was put in the hands of trustees, probably Samuel the Third‘s mother, John Edward Gawith (who died six years later) and William Henry Gawith, Samuel the Second‘s youngest brother.
A word here about William, who set up in rivalry to the Samuel Gawith dynasty, about the time John‘s enterprise failed. He set up in partnership with Henry Hoggarth, whose sister he married. Together they purchased the Lowther Street tobacco factory, and made snuff at Marble Mills outside Kendal. The firm continues now as Gawith Hoggarth TT.
Samuel the Third took control of the company about 1904/05, and saw it‘s production increase during the First World War to meet growing demand - as the American General J.J. Pershing put it "You ask me what we need to win this war. I answer tobacco as much as bullets".
By 1920 new premises at Sandes Avenue, Kendal were opened, and the whole of the machinery transferred from Meal Bank, and adapted to power by electricity, rather than water.
In 1929, Derek Dakeyne-Cannon, Samuel Gawith‘s nephew became a shareholder, and was named Managing Director, Samuel being named Chairman.

Prossimo articolo: The history of Samuel Gawith and Company - part VI