James Oldham (c.1831-1902) was born in Clarborough, near Retford, Nottinghamshire.  His father, John, was apparently a tax collector.  By 1868, he was co-partner in Oldham & Sewell, manufacturers of electro-plate and Britannia goods in School of Art Works, Arundel Street.  His partner was Maurice Sewell (c. 1835-1883) from Boston, Lincolnshire.   By 1879, James Oldham operated the business under his own name in Arundel Street.  In 1881, when Oldham lived in Wostenholm Road, he employed four men and two boys.   The firm became ‘& Co’ in 1896, when it moved to Surrey Lane and then Eyre Street.  It was operated by Frederick William Davis, but was bankrupt by 1898.  James Oldham, Ainsty Road, died, aged 71, on 15 March 1902.  He was buried in the General Cemetery.