Mr. Charles Denton, a well-known Rushden resident, died on Wednesday morning at Wellingborough Hospital from an internal complaint. The deceased, who was 70 years of age, leaves one son, Mr. August Denton, of London, and six daughters – Mrs. Ireland, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Laundon, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Britten. The late Mr. Denton was born at Higham Ferrers, and married Miss Mercy Bailey, daughter of Mr. Joseph Bailey, of Higham Ferrers, and she predeceased him, having died five years ago. From the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Denton lived in Rushden. By trade he was a shoemaker. For many years he was a grindery dealer, and was as a matter of fact, the first grindery dealer in Rushden. Later, he started shoe manufacturing in the Higham-road, and continued in the business until last October. An ardent Liberal, Mr. Denton was well-known in the town as a thorough-going politician. He was a warm admirer of Lord (formerly Mr.) Channing, and took a keen and active interest in the parliamentary contests in East Northants. He was a particularly strong opponent of vaccination, having lost one child – a boy – through the effects of vaccine, the operation having been performed unknown to him, at the request of Mrs. Denton’s mother. As an anti-vaccinator he was uncompromising, and he took a leading part in the anti-vaccination movement in Rushden.

Rushden Echo, 3rd September 1915 The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Saturday afternoon of the late Mr. Charles Denton, formerly of Higham-road, Rushden, whose death was recorded in last week’s “Rushden Echo.” In accordance with the principles of the deceased, and in harmony with his expressed wishes, the funeral was of the quietest possible character. The coffin bore the inscription: CHARLES DENTON, Died August 25th, 1915, Aged 71 years The mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. August Denton (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Ireland, Mr. and Mrs. G. Lawrance, Mr. and Mrs. A. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. R. Britten (sons-in-law and daughters). Mr. T. W. C. Linnitt, Mr. Garley, sen., and others were present at the graveside. A simple funeral service was conducted by Mr. C. Cross, who said that the deceased, a resident of Rushden for the last half-century, had always allied himself with the causes which made for the betterment of humanity. The whole trend of his life was upward, and the world was the better for the example of an honest man, one who was true to his convictions, one who “followed the gleam,” which had now led him into the fuller light. At the close of the address Mrs. Britten (daughter of the deceased) said: My dear friends, We are here to commit the mortal remains of this our dear father and friend to Mother Earth, and to relinquish the immortal spirit to its God, to realize the love of our Father God through immortality. Amen. – Wreaths from the family were placed on the grave. Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin were the undertakers.