Person Smedley; John (1803-1874); Textile manufacturer and hydropathic proprietor of Lea Mills and Matlock DS/UK/962 Smedley John 1803-1874 Textile manufacturer and hydropathic proprietor of Lea Mills and Matlock Male John Smedley's father, also called John, was joint founder of Lea Mills, now known as John Smedley. The younger John Smedley was born in Wirksworth and began working at Lea Mills as an apprentice in 1819. He took over the mill in 1825, expanding the mill operations from weaving to producing finished garments. In 1847 he married Caroline Ann Harward. After being successfully treated with hydrotherapy, he built Smedley's Hydro in Matlock which he operated with the help of his wife. His success resulted in many hydropathic establishments opening in Matlock. He built Riber Castle overlooking hte town where he lived until his death in 1874.

Yes International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 A7003503 28/03/2015 DERBYSHIRE\71010800 27/10/2023 9d6687d4-c2e7-4c1f-93d1-5de5d97578f2