By the death of Mr. Samuel Learoyd at his residence, Sherwood House, New North Road, Huddersfield this morning lost one of its most prominent citizens and ablest lawyers. Since May last Mr. Learoyd had been the victim of relentless disease. At times, however, it gave hope to the patient and his friends, but invariably it returned to shatter heightened expectation.
Mr. Learoyd's illness began at North Berwick last May, where, after an attack of nervous prostration he was seized with a chill, which probably sowed the seeds of death. After about three weeks Mr. Learoyd was sufficiently recovered to return home, where he had a series of weakening relapses, which often left the patient in a critical condition. Since the advent of the new year he had been able to drive out occasionally, and up till a fortnight back he was contemplating a sojourn at Bournemouth. On the eve of anticipication he was again stricken, as it now appears fatally. He had since been attended by his medical adviser, Dr. Clarke, and his son-in-law, Dr. Walker, and specialists from Manchester and Leeds. The long siege of the complaint, and shattered nature, were, however, beyond the scope of skill, and the death of Mr. Learoyd took place at half-past five o'clock this morning.
Mr. Samuel Learoyd was in his fifty-ninth year. The son of the Rev. Amos Learoyd, a Wesleyan minister, once stationed in Huddersfield, he made the town his home. Articled to his brother, Mr. Nehemiah Learoyd, he was admitted a solicitor in 1867, and ultimately became senior partner in the legal firm of Learoyd & Company, Huddersfield, and Learoyd, James, & Mellor, Coleman Street, London.
As an advocate Mr. Learoyd was a few years ago widely known in the woollen district and even the wider area of the West Riding. The late Sir George Morrison was articled with him, and left Huddersfield on his appointment as Town Clerk of Leeds. Mr. T. S. Simpson (Messrs. Simpsons & Denham, Leeds) was another gentleman who had his elementary training in Mr. Learoyd's Office. With the exception of being a member of the first School Board of Huddersfield, Mr. Learoyd had not served the town in a representative capacity. But his interests were varied and useful in purpose. He was a pantentee himself, and induced the Huddersfield Corporation to reduce the Patents Library from chaos to order and to appoint a librarian. He was a member of the Free Library and Art Gallery Committe, and a thorough educationist. He spent a great deal of time and trouble in promoting reading circles in connection with the Oxford University local movements.
A keen fighter in his profession he was nevertheless fair, and possess the admiration of his professional brethern. At one time he was president of the Huddersfield Incorporated Law Society.
In religion he was a Wesleyan, attached to the Queen Street Chapel, Huddersfield, and for many years was president and teacher of the working men's bible class. In politics he was a Conservative.
Mr. Learoyd leaves a widow, one son - Mr. E. Gordon Learoyd, who is a partner in the firm - and three daughters, one of whom is married to Dr. Walker, of New North Road.
Source: findmypast - Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 February 1898, Page 3