 In about 1862,he entered the cotton spinning firm founded by his grandfather at Mill Hill, in the Haulgh, Bolton, where he helped run the business of four cotton mills, with great success until 1871, when the partnership was dissolved and he continued with No.3 mill under the old name of John Thomasson and Son.In 1867 he married Katharine Lucas, a niece of John Bright, and daughter of Margaret Bright Lucas.