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Name: ISHERWOOD, William J. 'Billy'
Nee: son of Jonathan Dearden and bro of James Isherwood
Birth Date: 1887 Ramsbottom
Death Date: 16.8.1956 Nairobi
First Date: 1907 March
Last Date: 1956
Profession: Building Inspector with Nairobi Municipality, Great music lover
Area: Hardinge St., Nairobi, founder of Nairobi Philarmonic Soc. EA Conservatoire etc. 1930 Box 639, Nairobi
Married: Deborah Johnson b. 1888, d. 19 Jan 1949 Nairobi
Children: Kathleen Mary (9 Dec 1913 Nairobi-4 Dec 1914 Nairobi)
Book Reference: Gillett, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Pioneers, EA & Rhodesia, Drumkey, Red 22, Ruiru, Advertiser, Gazette, Harmony, SKP, Barnes, Red Book 1912
General Information:
East Africa & Rhodesia - 27/9/56 - Mr William Isherwood, founder of the Nairobi Philarmonic Society, who has died in that city at the age of 69, went to British East Africa with his father in 1907. In a varied life he farmed, prospected for diamonds, served in his father's engineering business, and worked as a building inspector for the Nairobi City Council. Elected to the Municipal Council at the top of the poll in 1919, he refused the offer of mayor. He was prominent in the formation of the East African Conservatoire of Music.
Drumkey 1909 - Railway Dept. - Traffic Dept. - Guard, 1st Class - W. Isherwood
Advertiser - 2/10/1908 - Masonic Temple consecrated - Bro. Isherwood with his fine tenor voice …….
Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Nairobi District - William Isherwood, Hardinge Street
Member of Lodge Harmony - Initiated 5/3/17, age 30, Plumber, Nairobi; Rejoined 2/2/48, age 61, Engineer Nairobi Municipality
Barnes - Nairobi South Cemetery - William Isherwood, died 16 Aug 1956 aged 69. Also Deborah Isherwood (Cissie), died 12 Jan 1949 aged 61 and Kathleen Mary Isherwood 9 Dec 1913-4 Dec 1914, died from diarrhoea and heart failure.
SKP - 1938 - Society of Kenya Pioneers - over 30 years in Colony - arrived March 1907 - Nairobi
Nicky Spruce - Meet the Isherwoods - On arrival in the country Mr Billy Isherwood played the organ at St. Stephen's Church, then the only European church ………. When All Saints Cathedral was opened he became organist there …….. When in the 1920s Mr Billy Isherwood moved out to Limuru to live he became organist of the little church there and trained a large choir. His greatest interest was music and he founded the Nairobi Philharmonic Society with his choir as its basis and became its conductor. The Society was eventually able to give many performances of all the well known oratorios and orchestral concerts. Later he was one of the three moving spirits in the foundation of the East African Conservatoire of Music which was finally incorporated on Feb 3 1944.
Red Book 1912 - W. Isherwood - Nairobi
Barnes - Founder Member of Lodge Ruiru by reason of their contributions to the formation of the Lodge. However, never became a member - Joined 7 May 1927
Gazette 4 Sep 1956 probate