John Mylrea, 1819-1881

In 1851 census states born in Lonan - from age would appear to be son of Thomas Mylrea + Elizabeth Cowin - I can't locate any of their children in the1841 census so suspect the family had emigrated, probably to Liverpool, some time before.

Would appear to have moved back to the Island in 1843 as on 4 Feb 1843 (Manx Liberal) he advertises his new shop and that he had had the management of a first rate bookbinding and store in Liverpool. The advert also invites inspection of his specimens of engraving and copper plate prints. Shop was in Duke Street adjoining Mr Manson, druggist. Not a printer but publisher of guide books and other publications. Produced a fine set of views from 1846 and published the very fine set by Burkill in 1857.

Also opened a circulating library in October 1847.

A visitor staying in the house in 1851 was the Wesleyan minister Rev Gregory A Page.

Married Jane Allen at Braddan 12th Apr 1848 - Manx Sun noted Jane Allen late Ballavarrey Andreas and John Mylrea bookseller Duke St - had one son John A Mylrea who went to London University and became an advocate on the IoM. John senior would appear to have retired to 5 Derby Terrace by 1881, a sick nurse was in the household and he died shortly after the census - reported as aged 64 and buried Braddan 8 April 1881.

From Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, 9th April 1881.

IN MEMORIAM. THE LATE MR JOHN MYLREA

It is with sincere regret that we record the decease of the above-named gentleman, which took place last Wednesday morning at his residence, No. 5, Derby Terrace, in the 65th year of his age. His death was sudden and wholly unexpected except by his medical attendant and one or two members of the family who had been apprised of his danger. Mr Mylrea had suffered for a few weeks previously, and for the most part had been confined to bed, out there was little or no apprehension on the part of his friends generally of his approaching end. About four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon he was taken much worse, and notwithstanding the utmost efforts of three medical men who were in attendance upon him he expired at four o'clock on the following morning, the immediate cause of his death being disease of the heart. This painful event has startled and saddened a wide and numerous circle of those by whom he was known and esteemed. Although compelled for the last few years, by the loss of his sight, to retire almost wholly from public life, he yet formerly and for a lengthened period, occupied a prominent and useful position, both in a social and religious sense. While a youth he came from his native place in Lonan to reside in Douglas, and as a young man he displayed that superior intelligence, energy, and application, combined with thorough integrity, which characterized him through life, and won for him the honourable position and the very considerable influence which he so long possessed. His devotion to business was thorough ; perhaps even too intense for the health and vigour of his declining years. But it was no doubt conscientious, and designed for the satisfaction of his customers as well as his own advantage. Nor was he so fully absorbed in secular duties as to be unable or unwilling to engage in others of a higher and philanthropic nature. He was connected religiously with Wesleyan Methodism, and yet while preferring it before every other form of Christianity he was large-hearted enough to esteem the Christians of other denominations, and to rejoice in their holy and beneficent works. For some years he was secretary and librarian of the Thomas Street Sunday School, and discharged his duties with great ability, regularity, promptitude, and success. At subsequent periods he became a trustee of the town, and some of the country, chapels; treasurer of different Methodist funds, and for a time one of the circuit stewards. He was also a member of the Education Board, and treasurer to the Isle of Man Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society In all these relations he was well-informed, judicious, and faithful. His luminous statements and his generally wise counsels commended themselves to the approval of his brethren, and led them to repose great confidence in the soundness of his judgment and the practicability of his ways and means for the removal of pecuniary burdens. A venerable gentleman with whom he has been long and in various ways associated, speaks of him with emotion as one in whose wisdom and fidelity he could unhesitatingly confide.

The late Mr Mylrea also took a deep and practical interest in the sanitary and architectural improvement of Douglas, and as a member of the first Town Commission devoted much time and thought to its promotion. On two successive occasions he was considered by a large proportion of the electors of the Garff sheading a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in the House of Keys, and though they failed to secure his election, he lived long enough to rejoice in the honour being conferred upon his son. While it would be mere affectation to claim for the late Mr Mylrea a faultless character, it would also be ungrateful and mean not to accord him the credit of his superior abilities, and his sterling worth , and his valuable services. The funeral took place yesterday morning at eleven o'clock. The body of deceased was taken from Derby Terrace for interment in Kirk Braddan Cemetery, a large number of persons following, among them being Rev W. Drury, H. Douthwaite, T. Hargreaves, J. Hirst, F. J. Moore, B.A., Sir James Gell, S. E. Broadbent, Esq., and the principal tradesmen of the town.

Publications

References

W. Cubbon Bibliography of works relating to the Isle of Man Vol II section L4 Douglas:1939

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor © F.Coakley, 2006