Francis L'Estrange Joseph

Joseph was born in 1870 in Liverpool, the younger son of Thomas Joseph.[1] Educated at Caledonian School in Liverpool until he was 12 when he left to become a railway messenger, although he continued to attend evening classes.[1] After a number of varied jobs he became a stockbroker, Joseph joined Settle, Speakman & Company and became the chairman and managing director.[1]

He became a member of Liverpool City Council in 1903 until 1913. At the General Election in January 1910 he stood for Liverpool Walton as a Liberal against the incumbent F.E. Smith.[1] Despite a record Liberal vote he failed to beat Smith.[1] During the First World War he worked at the War Office becoming an assistant secretary at the Ministry of National Service.[1] In 1918 he was Deputy Director-General of National Labour Supply.[1]

In 1918 Joseph unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the new constituency of Liverpool Fairfield for the Coalition Liberals. Joseph was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1918 and in 1922 he was knighted.[1] He was a director of many public companies including the Midland Bank and from 1937 to 1940 was a member of the Royal Commission on the Location of Industry.[1] He was appointed the High Sheriff of Staffordshire for 1932.[1] Joseph was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 and created a baronet in 1942.[1]

Joseph married in 1917 to Violet Settle and they had two daughters. Joseph died on 8 February 1951 and with no sons the baronetcy became dormant.[1]