The original bits of my Lever story were passed down by my grandfather who knew Bill Lever. My great great grandfather, Luke Gent, and another friend each loaned 1,000 pounds to Wm H Lever to start his soap business. As the business got going well, and Bill Lever wanted to expand, he asked his two friends if they would like their money back or if they'd like to have stock in exchange. My gg grandfather took the money back (hence, we are not as rich as we could have been.)
A few years ago I decided to do further research on Wm Hesketh Lever. I went to numerous websites, so I can't say for sure which one came up with the parents names. Since I was writing it for my immediate family, I didn't footnote anything. (Good lesson) If you google either William Hesketh Lever or Lord Liverhulme, you'll find all sorts of information. There is also a photo of one of his residences in Wigan which can be found at
http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/search.php?cx=011887081185714472... I thought Wigan World had further information on him but I coudln't find it today. I also found extensive photos of Port Sunlight somewhere on the web.
This is the bit I had about his parents.
"William was the eldest son of James and Eliza Lever, born on Wood Street in Bolton on September 19, 1851. His father was a teetotal Congregationalist who had been apprenticed to a grocer at the age of 14. By the time his first son was born James Lever was managing a wholesale grocer's warehouse and shop on Manor Street, near where Bank Street crossed the Croal. In 1864 he became sole owner of the firm and closed down the shop to concentrate on wholesaling."
"William was educated first by the Misses Aspinwall, who had a school on Wood Street, then at Kay's School in Duke Street, and finally at the Church Institute. He wasn't a brilliant scholar. The genius in him was for sales and advertising."
Below are a few of the sites I used for information. You may find that quote in one of them and perhaps other information to help your search. As I said I used these sites several years ago, so I'm not sure they are still working.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews... http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/lancashire/bolton/bygone/BYPEO... http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/lancashire/bolton/info/BENINFO... http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/localmuseums/story/0,11113,58... http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/expats/localhistory/tm_ob... One of my great great grandfather's sons was an accountant at Port Sunlight until he was killed in WWI. The job was obtained through Luke's friendship/connection to Bill.
Sorry I can't be of more help. If you know the streets your family lived on in Bolton, perhaps one of the above streets will help you make the connection.
Good luck,
Linda in USA