Details

Name

John Garroway

Brief Biography

1849–1920, Scottish

Occupation

Chemical manufacturer

Description

Major John Garroway was born in Glasgow on 29 July 1849. His father was Robert Garroway, surgeon, and his mother Agnes McWilliam. They were married in Leswalt, Wigtonshire on 15 July 1847. On the marriage certificate Robert is described as a ‘merchant’ but he became a Licentiate of the Faculty (now Royal College) of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1832. Robert Garroway died on 5 May 1887 at Glasgow.
John Garroway had a brother, William and two sisters, Robina and Margaret. He does not appear to have married as no record has been found. All four siblings are listed in the 1901 census at the home address, ‘Rosemount’, Riddrie, and all are ‘single’.
He died on October 31 1920, at home. Cause of death is given as bronchitis and cerebral haemorrhage. He is buried in the Old Burial Ground at Glasgow Cathedral in the same grave as his father, Robert, the family having the right to be buried here since the 1700s. His coffin was carried by eight staff sergeants from the Scottish Rifles with whom he served between 1885–1906, an association that continued after he had retired. It is from this that his title ‘Major’ derives.
His will, dated 1 May 1920, was recorded in Glasgow on 19 February 1921.
It is noted in Glasgow Corporation Minutes, 26 November 1920, p.305, that a letter had been received from his solicitor, Mr Percy J Adair, Stranraer, on 18 November offering two oil paintings by Mr J Hyons and Mr JW Godward as bequeathed in the will and it was agreed to accept them after inspection.
The Garroways were proprietors of the chemical firm R & J Garroway, established in 1819, which operated from Netherfield Chemical Works at 694 Duke Street, Glasgow. The firm was still in existence and operated from Duke Street until 2004 when it moved to Grangemouth. They produced sulphuric nitric and hydrochloric acids, fertilisers and soap. They also distilled wood and resin producing charcoal, acetic acid and various acetates. The firm has since been taken over by Feralco, a Swedish corporation, who are suppliers of high performance water treatment and process chemicals, and it now operates under that name.
John Garroway had a strong connection to the Royal Infirmary. He was a representative of contributors on the Board of Management from 1900. He took an active part in the construction of the new building and was a member of the works committee. His suggestions brought about improvements in and enlargement of patient accommodation. He donated stained glass windows and an organ for the hospital chapel and took a keen interest in the welfare of the nurses.
He was a benefactor to a number of institutions, particularly Glasgow Cathedral, where he was an Elder.
He gave the richly carved communion table in memory of his father, Robert, about 1890. In 1904 among other gifts he gave two communion patens on the 200th anniversary of the communion cups. He also gave, in 1896, the cathedral bell, which is currently in use. This replaced the previous bell, which was recast twice but had cracked again.
Other churches received gifts of bells: the New Parish Church at Stepps (about 1900), and the United Free Church at Kirkmaiden, Galloway, in memory of his mother. The baptismal font in Gorbals Parish Church was given by him.