John Brogden

John Brogden (2 February, 1798 – 9 December, 1869) was a railway industrialist. He formed the company John Brogden and Sons with four of his five sons. Early life Brogden was born on 2 February, 1798 on his father's farm at Worston, near Clitheroe in Lancashire. He was raised in Worston and at another farm near Clitheroe. He was educated at Clitheroe Grammar School. John Brogden and Sons As a young man he moved to a rapidly growing Manchester and established himself as a cleansing contractor. Whereas other ambitious young men in Manchester at that time chose to work in the burgeoning cotton industry, Brogden was an outdoor man, fond of riding and hunting and experienced with horses, so he preferred to work in haulage and transport. He partnered with Joseph Whitworth to use the latter's patent cleansing machines. He also started the same business in Westminster.