John Marston was the founder of John
Marston Ltd, Villiers
Engineering Co and the Sunbeam
Motor Car Co company of Wolverhampton.
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1836 Born in Ludlow May 6th 1836, of a minor landowning family.
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In 1851 at age 15, he was sent to Wolverhampton to be apprenticed to Richard Perry, Son & Co. at the Jeddo Works of Wolverhampton as a japanner. The word Jeddo is an anglicisation Tokyo, and japanner means metal lacquerer.
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In 1859, when his apprenticeship ended he purchased Daniel Smith Lester's
japanning business at Bilston which had amalgamated with Fred Walton and
Co and Thurston and Co. John was just 23 years old when he set up John
Marston Ltd, a firm which became one of the country's largest producers of japanware.
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In 1887 the first Sunbeam bicycle had been turned out at the works.
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He gave William Newill a partnership, and the company began to change direction
from making pots and pans to engineering.
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1888 The Paul Street works first became known as Sunbeamland in 1888 and
Thomas Cureton joined the company as an apprentice.
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Marston disapproved of motorcycles, which he thought were dangerous. This did not stop him making thousands of them. But he never rode one, and nor did he ever drive a car. Nearly
all his life he was a dedicated cyclist, most often using a tricycle. He was a successful businessman, and apparently a harsh employer. Workers who made a mistake at his factory
were bluntly told "Get your jacket" and with that Marston threw workers out.
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In 1889 and 1890 he is elected mayor of Wolverhampton.
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In 1894 there is a John Marston, Carriage builder of 24, Bradford Street,
Birmingham.
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1909 Given the Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton. Has been a town councellor
for 24 years, an Alderman for 18 and the mayor twice.
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He died of grief on March 8th 1918, following the death of his third son Roland.
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He attended St. Jude's church with metronomic regularity. He lived most
of his adult life in The Oaks, Merridale Road, Wolverhampton.
Sources: Graces Guide, Wikipedia, historywebsite.co.uk
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