VOL. XIX. (l) 
OBITUARY 
77 
(©bituariJ |1 otke 
JOHN SAWYER, J.P. 
Born in 1849 Cirencester, where his boyhood was spent, 
he came to Gloucester to learn printing in the office of the 
late Mr John Bellows, and afterwards joined the staff of the 
“Gloucester Journal,” as a reporter. How much the tastes 
and interests of his after life were influenced by early 
familiarity with these historic towns he could hardly know 
himself. Certainly, he always retained a very warm affection 
for both of them, and a keen interest in their history and 
archaeology. Still, as the present writer well remembers, he 
was one of those who not only attended the ordinary lectures, 
but eagerly joined a special class for the study of Geology, 
formed by Mr Embrey, then (forty years ago) Head Master of 
the Science School. Members of the class became, like him- 
self, members of the Cotteswold Club, and some of them still 
remain so. Thus he showed, even in those early days, that 
he had wide and varied interests. Those who knew him well 
must have felt sure of a willing listener to anything of 
interest which they had to tell. 
While still young, he left Gloucester and went to Chelten- 
ham as part proprietor, with the late Mr Norman, of the 
“ Cheltenham Examiner.” Having taken a full part in the 
literary and scientific interests of the town, he became, on the 
establishment of County Councils, one of the representatives, 
and continued to be so up to the time of his death ; his great 
services to the cause of education having been recognised by 
promotion from Councillor to Alderman. He was also placed 
in the Commission of the Peace. An excellent History of 
Gloucestershire, written for school purposes, fittingly records 
his love for the district he knew so well. In every part of the 
county he seemed to have some special interest — his wife was 
