William Garton was born in 1832 in Bath, where his father had a small brewery. In the mid 1850s, with his elder brother Charles, he began experimenting with improved methods of brewing, including the use of saccharine to produce lighter, German-style beers. By the time he came to Southampton in the late 1860s he was ready to set up both a saccharine factory in partnership with Thomas Hill, Southampton agent for many of the large shipping lines; and the “Anglo-Bavarian Brewery", where he could continue with his experiments. The business was closely associated with Charles’ Bristol brewery, which had an office and stores in Southampton from 1865. The Anglo-Bavarian Brewery moved to Shepton Mallett and the saccharine works to Battersea when they outgrew their site, but the Garton family continued to have a local connection, acquiring John Bell and Son, Itchen Brewery, and Cooper & Co of East Street.
William lived at Roseland, a large house formerly situated near Portsmouth Road in Woolston. His wealth allowed him to pursue many philanthropic causes, including the Royal South Hants Hospital where a ward was named in his honour. He died aged 73, 8 March 1905. Garton Road in Woolston was named after him.
William Garton
From the Woolston Independent, 18 March 1905
Navigation
Browse A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y-Z
Get Involved
If you wish to
- suggest additional information for this entry
- suggest amendments to this entry
- offer your own research
- make a comment
then fill in the form on the Contact page.