They owned six salt plants in various locations throughout Cheshire, including Marston, Witton, Moulton, Over, Wharton and Middlewich.
In 1885, he stood against John Brunner for the Liberal Party nomination in the newly created parliamentary constituency of Northwich.
Brunner won the nomination and successfully contested the seat against the Conservative candidate, William Henry Verdin, Robert's brother.
[4] However, in the following year Gladstone's Liberal government was defeated over Home Rule for Ireland and an election was called.
[1] He died, aged 51, on 25 July 1887 at his home, The Brockhurst,[6] a Regency house in spacious grounds at Leftwich where he lived with his brother Joseph and sister Mary.