One of Horbury’s past industrial giants was Arthur Horsfield, who at one time owned the Iron Works at Horbury Junction.
Arthur Horsfield was born on the 4th October 1854, to parents James Wood Horsfield and Jane Eliza (nee Whitehead). He was baptised at Dewsbury Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on the 23rd November 1854. On the 31st July 1879, Arthur Horsfield married Hannah Baines, the daughter of Horbury manufacturer and mill owner Edward Baines. The census of 1881 shows the couple have their first child, 9 month-old Edward Baines Horsfield. Their address is Spinkwell House, Jenkin Road, Horbury. This was also the address of Hannah’s father and the Baines family, although they are recorded as two separate households.
The 1891 census shows a move to High Bank, Tithe Barn Street. Arthur and Hannah have two more children: Gertrude 8 and Annie 6. Arthur is now the general manager of the ironworks.
Arthur Horsfield was not only a local industrialist, but also a prominent public figure too. In 1895, he was elected a trustee of the Common Lands Trust. He was a J.P. and a long standing member of Horbury Local Board and Urban Council, being Chairman in 1887, 1904 and 1905. It was in his third stint as Chairman that he had the honour of laying the foundation stone for the new Carnegie library.