Rushden Research Group: Lack Family

The Lack Family

at Rushden

Jonathan Johnson Lack was born at Yardley Hastings in 1849, son of Josiah and Charlotte. He attended Congregational Church. In 1871 he was working as a groom, and the following year he married Elizabeth Sanders, daughter of William and Emma, of Rushden.

In 1881 he was a gardener, Elizabeth was a lacemaker, and now with 4 children, they were living in Little Lane. The youngest child Wilfred had died, but two others had been born, so now with their 5 children, they left the village in about 1885.

They came to Rushden for work in the shoe trade and now attended the Old Top Meeting Baptist Church, where Jonathan was baptised in 1889. In 1891 the family had moved to Queen Street, and Jonathan was a shoe packer, eldest son Walter J (17) was a book keeper in a shoe factory, Ernest W (15) was a clicker, and Herbert (13) was a clerk in a shoe factory. Three younger children, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Emma, were scholars. The family was living at 149 High Street in 1901, with only Herbert, Elizabeth and Emma still at home. Jonathan also served as a deacon at the church.

A new church was built in 1900 in Park Road and in 1901, a fine protrait of the Church Elders was taken, Jonathan was pictured with them with a fine bushy beard. Jonathan, Ernest and Herbert all served as deacons of the church.

By 1905 Jonathan was a shoe factory foreman, and Herbert was the rate collector's clerk.

Walter J Lack did not follow the Baptist faith, but was a stalwart worker for the Wesleyan Church. He married Emily Clayton, daughter of James and Mary in 1896. They lived in Brookfield Road.

Ernest William Lack was a clicker by trade, and he married Miss Lizzie Willmott, daughter of George Willmott, in 1898. Ernest then left the shoetrade and worked as a 'milk purveyor' and lived at 50 High Street over George's shop. They moved to Caldecott about 1913, with their three children, Dorothy, Lucy and Ernest.

H Lack - Superintendent

Herbert Lack married Emily Clayton, the daughter of William and Elizabeth, on June 10th 1905.

Herbert was superintendent of the Sunday School, and he wrote the school's history in 1910 to celebrate the centenary. He also wrote a hymn.

Emily gave birth to their son Arnold Pearce in 1909, and in 1912 Bruce was born. They lived at 50 Oakley Road, and Herbert was now the rate collector.

Bruce Lack later ceame an officer of the Boys Brigade.

Elizabeth died in 1924 aged 73, and Jonathan died in 1929 aged 80, and they are buried in Rushden Cemetery Graves C53/54:

In loving memory of Jonathan Johnson LACK who fell asleep April 12th 1929 aged 80 years. Till He come. In loving memory of Elizabeth dearly loved wife of Jonathan J LACK who entered into rest July 10th 1924 aged 73 years. Neither shall there be any more pain.

Herbert died in 1939 aged 62 and Emily in 1963, and they are buried in Graves F988/989:

In loving remembrance of Herbert LACK 1877 - 1939 and Emily LACK 1880 - 1963. They have attained the heights, and rest.

Note: 149 High Street, was later converted by J J Page as his new shop.