John Horrocks (politician)

While still young Horrocks worked in Edgworth for Thomas Thomasson, in the cotton trade, who sent him to school in central Manchester but died in 1782.

Shortly after he obtained a monopoly of the manufacture of cottons and muslins for the Indian market from the British East India Company.

[3] The firm then traded as Horrockses, Miller, & Co.[2] In 1794, Horrocks was chosen as a burgess and served as Town Bailiff in 1794–5.

It was a two-member constituency, with Sir Henry Hoghton, 7th Baronet as sitting member who was standing again, and Edward Smith Stanley making his political debut as a Whig candidate.

Tarleton withdrew, but Horrocks had Tory support locally from the Grimshaw family, and from Lord Liverpool.

Stanley then tried to undermine his economic base, by investing in Preston rivals Watson, Myers Co. After his death less than two years later, his brother Samuel Horrocks took over his seat in an uncontested by-election, Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh, 3rd Baronet having held back.