William John Battersby

William John Battersby JP (30 June 1839 – 22 February 1915) was a British hat manufacturer, of Battersby Hats.

William John Battersby was born in Edward Street, Stockport in 1839, the son of William Battersby (1797–1851) and his wife Sarah Norfolk.

He married Mary Oldham (4 Mar 1840, Stockport – 5 March 1909, Stockport), and they had eleven children, nine of whom survived infancy:[1] Edgar and three of his brothers became directors or managers at Battersby Hats.

[1] His grandson was British fascist James Larratt Battersby.

Battersby was awarded a patent in 1896, for "Improvements in and connected with Hats, Caps, and similar Head Coverings", along with his son William Norfolk Battersby.