Albert Horder was born in Donhead St Mary in 1831, the son of a farmer William and his wife Sylvia. As the couple’s sixth son, Albert realised he was unlikely to inherit the 200 acre Lower Wincombe Farm, so he carved out a career for himself in the drapery business, and never looked back.

The 1861 census finds him living above his shop in the High Street, Shaftesbury with his sister Mary who acted as his housekeeper, a house servant and four assistants. In 1865 he married Mary Ellen Jeeves and the couple had four children.

Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

In the early 1870s Albert and Mary Ellen moved to Swindon and set up business in premises in the High Street once occupied by Thomas Strange. Business flourished and the autumn and winter fashions of 1882 included “a good assortment of Tailor-made Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans in Plain & Broche Cloth, Velvet, Sealskin & Fur” where “an inspection was respectfully solicited.” By the 1890s Horder Bros, Drapers, Milliners, Mantle Makers and Costumiers boasted an expansive three-bay shop frontage.

Having handed over the reins to his son Edward Jeeves Horder, Albert and Mary Ellen retired to a house in Devizes Road, which they named Wincombe after the family farm.

The Horder’s store eventually closed shortly before the firm’s centenary and the building was subsequently demolished. The Pinnacle, a block of apartments, stand on the site of Albert’s drapery business, his name immortalised in the access road, Horder Mews.

Swindon

Death of a well-known resident – The death took place late on Sunday night, at his residence, Wincombe, Swindon, of Mr Albert Horder, who for many years carried on a successful drapery business in the High-street. He was an active member of the Congregational church, having been deacon at the Victoria-street Chapel for many years. Deceased, who was born at Winchcombe, Dorset, nearly 73 years ago, leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter.

The Wiltshire Advertiser, Thursday, March 27, 1902.

Albert died aged 72 in 1902 and was buried in a large double grave plot E8032/33. He is buried with his wife Ellen, their son Edward Jeeves Horder and his wife Alice Emma.