Thomas Wyllie Howie
Great BritainIndustrial Magnate of the Victorian Era
Thomas Wiley Howie was an industrial magnate of the Victorian era, residing in Falkirk, Scotland. He was born in Riccarton, Ayrshire, Scotland, to Robert and Bethia Howie. His parents were prosperous industrial magnates and active participants in the Covenanting movement. Unfortunately, Robert Howie passed away in a private clinic for mentally disabled individuals when Thomas was only 27 years old.
Childhood Years
Thomas spent his childhood in the family estate of Newhouse, near a clay mine that extracted refractory clay known as "shamot." Today, Newhouse serves as a boarding school. He grew up alongside his cousin, John Howie, who would later become a mining business magnate.
Settling in Falkirk
Thomas Howie and his wife settled in Falkirk after he acquired a stake in the company 'Campbell & Co Fireclay Works' and a coal mine. Business was thriving, and Howie eventually became the sole owner. Prior to moving to Falkirk, Howie lived in Hurlford, where he managed 'Hurlford Fireclay Works,' a business that produced pots, bricks, pipes, garden ornaments, and high-end enameled sanitaryware. The family owned a significant portion of Hurlford and several nearby mining villages.
Throughout his life, Thomas Howie supported the Conservative Party. He also served as a justice of the peace, was elected to the Stirling County Council from Falkirk, and became the vice-chairman of the local parish council and chairman of the land committee.
Personal Life and Legacy
Thomas Howie was married to Barbara Picken, the sister of a Glasgow City Council secretary. They had six children: Margaret, Robert Wyllie, Bethia, Martha, Barbara, and Jean. Unfortunately, Thomas's active involvement in public affairs led to his untimely demise. He fell severely ill during a Water Board event and was unable to recover. The magnate passed away in 1927 and was buried in the Falkirk cemetery. At the time of his death, his brick business was valued at £12,000, which, accounting for inflation, would amount to approximately £2.3 million today.
Today, there is a street in Falkirk named in honor of Thomas Howie, located near one of his workshops.
