William John Sears
William J. Sears was born in 1866 at Clay Cross, Derbyshire, the son of William (a shoe manufacturer and later victualler) and his wife, Hannah (d. 1870). In 1889, Sears registered a silver mark (‘W.J.S’) from Fitzalan Square and began an electro-plate business with £50 capital. He continued for five years, took a two-year break, and then restarted with £20 capital in Arundel Street (moving after a year to Eldon Street). Sears apparently spent his early years in Clay Cross or t....
