Henry William Schneider (1817 – 1887) - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Schneider has much written about him. Here are some highlights from his life.

He is related to the Schneiders of Schneider Cup fame. He came to Furness prospecting for minerals. Ores had been found in surface workings but no one had the resources to dig a mine. Schneider paid for a shafts to be sunk all over Furness. Although deposits were found, none were worthy of further exploitation. And so after two years of trying he was about to pay his miners off, but they offered to work one more week for free. During that week the Millom Iron ore deposit was found. This proved to be the biggest deposit of highest grade iron ore in the country. As good as the ore being won at Whitehaven, due to no sulphur and 10% iron ore. More usually there would be sulphur and only 2-5% iron ore. Millom mine closed in 1920s.

Through his wealth Schneider bought Belsfield House, over looking Bowness Bay, Windermere lake. Each working day Schneider would steam down the lake in his own steam boat Esperance having breakfast along the way to Lakeside Halt. (To see what his steamboat was like have a ride on Gondola.) There he would board his own carriage of Furness Railway train. He was a director of Furness Railway and supplied the rails. Schneider was met by his secretary in the carriage to answer letters and see the figures from his many industrial concerns. On arriving in Barrow, his personal coach and horses would take Schneider to his offices or a meeting.
Esperance is laid up at Windermere Steamboat Museum.

Schneider is also responsible for a change in English law. Schneider once stood for re-election in the Lancaster borough. Elections were corrupt affairs in 1800s. This was no different. Schneider's agents bribed the electorate too overtly. And Parliament dismissed him. Lancaster area had no MP for several years as penance. As a result a law was passed banning electoral bribery.

After his death his will was contested by his descendants for many years.

Bowness cemetery is open to the public during daylight hours. Gate is shut after dusk. Parking on street for 2 hours on The Glebe.

To find Schneider's grave. Enter near the chapel of rest (looks like a small church). Head north towards a gap in wall. Before going through the gap look west for his low iron railings around a very large grave slab of slate.

Family Tree
Peerage (although not a peer)
Family Tree

Biography H.W.Schneider by AG Banks ISBN 0 9509634 0 2 1984

Streetmap
OSGB SD400963
Nearest PostCode LA23 3HD

Description: Schneider was a great Victorian philanthropist, who looked after his work force. Schneider hired the right men for the best profit in all his mining and steel making businesses. Although he commuted from Bowness to Barrow, his wealth was spread throughout the Furness area. Date of birth: 05/12/1817 Date of death: 11/11/1887 Area of notoriety: Other Marker Type: Horizontal Marker Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: daylight Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   04/17/2012 bill&ben visited it