THE LAST OF THE SECOND GENERATION
Mr Emerson Tennent Herdman DL of Sion House died on 26th October 1918 having been predeceased by his elder brother John Herdman, of Carricklee, in 1903, and by his wife, Fanny Alice, in 1916.
His obituary says:
A Leader in the Linen Industry
“We regret to announce the death of Mr Emerson Tennent Herdman DL, which occurred at his residence, Sion House, Sion Mills, on Saturday morning. For some time Mr Herdman had been in failing health, and in consequence of this he had been obliged to cease many of his customary activities in order that he might enjoy the rest which his condition required.
The second son of the late Mr James Herdman, the deceased gentleman was born at Holywood in 1842. His father and uncle, Mr John Herdman, were leading figures in connection with the Ulster Linen Industry. As business partners, they established the original Smithfield Spinning Company, and in 1835 they started the Sion Mills, which have since become world-famous for the volume and quality of their products. Mr ET Herdman was trained for the linen business, and following the death of his uncle and the retirement of his father (about the year 1866), he, in conjunction with his brother, Mr John Herdman, succeeded to the control of the property at Sion Mills. Mr John Herdman jun., died in 1903, and his place on the directorate was taken by his son, Major EC Herdman, who is at present serving with the North Irish Horse. The other directors are Captain JC Herdman, only son of Mr ET Herdman, and Colonel A StQ Ricardo CMG, DSO, who formerly commanded a brigade of the Ulster Division and has been on active service continuously since 1915. The progressive policy initiated by the founders of the Sion Mills has been consistently followed by their successors, through whose efforts a model village has been created in the district in which the property is situated. A large number of workers’ houses have been erected by the firm, and the village, which is populated entirely by their employees, has its own lighting installation, and an excellent water supply. A handsome church, designed in the Italian style, was built through the generosity of the members of the Herdman family, who also defrayed the cost of erecting the village school which is equipped on the most modern system.
Mr ET Herdman took a very keen interest in public affairs. He acted as a member of the Grand Jury for county Tyrone, and from the time of the passing of the Local Government Act until his health began to give way he was a member of the county council, a position in which he was succeeded by his son. The deceased was also a member of the County Asylum Committee, the Strabane Board of Guardians and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, as well as being a director of the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway Company. A Liberal of the old school, he had no hesitation in deciding on the course he should pursue after the introduction of the first Home Rule Bill, and he was one of the speakers at the great Convention held in Belfast in 1886, when the people of Ulster declared their determination to resist the disruption policy by every means in their power. At a by-election in February 1899, he stood as a Unionist candidate for Derry City, and was only beaten by 42 votes. In 1890 he filled the office of High Sheriff of Tyrone, and was also a Deputy Lieutenant and a Justice of the Peace for that county, He was connected with the Masonic Order as a member of Lodge No 332, Omagh, and was a Knight Templar. Deceased was a member of the Ulster Club and the Ulster Reform Club. He was an enthusiastic lover of good music, and, possessing a pleasing voice, he frequently entertained his friends by his cultured singing. His favourite recreations were fishing and shooting. He had travelled extensively, and was an excellent linguist. His favourite recreations were fishing and shooting. He derived his Christian names from his grand-uncle, the late Sir William Emerson-Tennent, Bart. who was member of Parliament for Belfast and Governor of Ceylon.
Deceased was held in high esteem by all classes of the community, and his zeal and ability made him a great force in the public life of the county with which he was so closely identified by business and family ties. His wife, who was a daughter of the late Dr FJ West, of Omagh, died about three years ago, but he is survived by one son and five daughters, one of the latter being the wife of Colonel Ricardo, whilst another is married to Major EC Herdman, a former High Sheriff of County Tyrone. The funeral is to take place tomorrow.