William Kitto

Early life

William Henry Kitto was born in Perranzabuloe, near Perranporth, Cornwall in 1855. His father, also named William Kitto, was a mine engineer who had worked in the Cornish mining industry before moving his family to the Isle of Man in order to take a position with the Isle of Man Mining Company as manager of the Foxdale Mines. Following his schooling the younger Kitto followed him into the profession.

Career

Mining

Kitto joined the Isle of Man Mining Company serving as under-manager to his father until 1890 when Kitto's father was appointed to take charge of the Cape Copper Company's property at Namaqualand, South Africa. Following the elder Kitto's appointment his son succeeded him as manager of the mines at Foxdale, Isle of Man, the position being referred to as the Mine Captain. William Kitto remained with the Isle of Man Mining Company until the closure of the Foxdale Mines in 1911. Said to of been highly respected within the mining industry he is noted for his display of extraordinary courage during the Snaefell Mine Disaster in 1897 when he was instrumental in the recovery operation.

Other interests

Kitto was also a director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, being vice-chairman at the time of his death in addition to which he served as a director of the Isle of Man Railway Company. In 1901 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, a position which he also held until his death by which time he was recognised as the oldest magistrate on the Isle of Man.

Politics

William Kitto was elected as a Member of the House of Keys for the constituency of Glenfaba in 1902. Said to of been liberal in his political beliefs, he succeeded John Joughin as the serving member a position he held until 1919 when he declined re-nomination.

A picture of the Kitto family (circa 1905)

Kitto was twice married. On March 23 1876, he married Susan (nee Edge) of New Ferry, Cheshirea marriage which produced seven children, four sons and three daughters - one daughter, Louisa, predeceased him. His first wife predeceased him in 1914 after which he married Isabel Goldsmith (1874-1967) in 1928.In 1908, in the company of Alex Hill, a fellow magistrate and a manager with the Isle of Man Bank, Kitto undertook a trip around the world. Captain Kitto was also involved in the Freemasons movement, being the senior member of the St Maughold Lodge, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

Death

On March 4 1930, in the capacity of a director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Capt. Kitto was in attendance for the launch of the company's new steamer, the Lady of Mann at Barrow-in-Furness prior to which he had presided over a dinner on the eve of the launch. Upon his return to the Isle of Man Captain Kitto suffered a stroke and died at his home, Burnside, Union Mills on the evening of March 26.

Captain Kitto's funeral took place on Saturday March 29, following which his body was interred at St. Paul's Churchyard, Foxdale.