James Farmer (industrialist)

Although primarily concerned with manufacture of machinery for bleaching, cotton spinning and weaving in the textiles industries, in the years immediately preceding his death the business had diversified.

[4][5][6] In late 1864, Farmer was elected as a member of Salford Corporation, the local government organisation for the borough, and remained on the council until his death.

[4][8][9][10] On 5 August 1887, Farmer was one of several incumbent mayors appointed a Knight Bachelor as part of the celebrations for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

The company proposed to carry on the prior business of "machinists, mechanical engineers, machine and engineering toolmakers, boilermakers, ironfounders, brassfounders, millwrights and metalworkers, and to buy, sell, manufacture, convert, let on hire, and deal in machinery, rolling stock, iron, steel, metal implements, tools, utensils and conveniences of all kinds".

The share capital was £50,000 and the shareholders included both of his sons and also his brother, Christopher Atkinson Farmer, who for many years was manager of the partnership and also served as a Salford councillor.