Henry Overton Wills II


Henry Overton Wills II of Ashley House, in Bristol, England, was a tobacco merchant who in 1830 together with his elder brother William Day Wills co-founded W.D. & H.O. Wills, a company which by the late 1800s had become Britain's largest importer of tobacco and manufacturer of tobacco products.

Origins

Henry Overton Wills II was born on 3 July 1800 in Bristol, the younger of the two sons of Henry Overton Wills I by his wife Ann Day. In 1786 his Salisbury-born father, with his partner Samuel Watkins, had opened a tobacco shop in Bristol, which grew into a successful business.

Career

Henry and his elder brother William Day Wills in 1815 joined their father's firm, and became co-owners of the company in 1826 when he died. In 1830 the brothers founded W.D. & H.O. Wills, which grew to become the leading importer of tobacco, and manufacturer of tobacco products in late 19th-century Britain. In 1859 Henry made his son Edward Payson Wills a partner in the firm, who succeeded to his father's interests in the company.
H.O. Wills II entered local politics in 1845 as a City Councillor for the St. Pauls district of Bristol and he continued to serve on the town council for several years until hearing problems forced him to retire from public duties. He also served in 1856 as Justice of the Peace. He was also an active a supporter of the Congregationalist faith, and he and his brother William were founder trustees in 1841 of the Hanham Chapel and in 1843 of the Barton Hill Chapel, both located in the Bristol suburbs.

Marriages and children

H.O. Wills II married twice:
He died on 23 November 1871 in Bristol, and is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery.