Ann Husler (1803–1874), née Procter, was a quarry owner and stone merchant based in Weetwood, Leeds, in West Yorkshire.
[1] Her father was a cloth maker,[2] originally from Headingley [3] She married John Husler (1802–1853) at the age of 19 on 15 April 1822 at Leeds Parish Church, signing the register with a cross.
When John died suddenly in 1853 in Waterford, leaving Ann widowed still with young children to care for, she continued to manage the Leeds business single-handedly, and also handled the disputes over his estate due to litigation over the debts he took on for the railway project.
[13] The quarries were described at the time as extensive and valuable and the stone was 'especially adapted for Docks, Bridges, Engine Beds, and other Heavy Works and has been extensively used in several of the most important Works in the Country.’ The stone from the Weetwood quarries was in high demand during this period, and it was used, for example, to build Westminster Bridge, which took 8 years to build from 1854 to 1862.
Husler started out life without means or education, as demonstrated by her having to sign her marriage entry in the register with a cross.