John Frederick Cheetham

John Frederick Cheetham PC (1835 – 25 February 1916)[1][2] was a cotton mill-owner in Cheshire and a Liberal Party politician.

The family business had been started by George Cheetham (1757–1826) at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and was based on mills in Castle Street, Stalybridge and Bankwood Mills, Stalybridge.

He held that seat for five years, until the constituency was abolished at the 1885 general election, when he stood unsuccessfully in the new High Peak constituency, losing to the Conservative Party candidate William Sidebottom by only 9 votes (0.2% of the total).

[3] He contested High Peak again in 1892,[3] and was also unsuccessful in Bury at the 1895 general election[4] and in Stalybridge in 1900 when he lost to Sir Matthew, later Viscount Ridley.

He returned to Parliament in January 1905 when he was elected at a by-election as Liberal MP for Stalybridge.