John Marston (businessman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Marston
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| Born | 6 May 1836 Ludlow, Shropshire, UK
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| Died | 1918 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Motorcycle and car manufacturer |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Marston |
John Marston (1836–1918) was a very successful British businessman. He started the famous Sunbeam company in Wolverhampton. His company made bicycles, motorcycles, and cars. They also made special metal goods called 'japanware'. John Marston even helped create 'Seagull' boat engines and the Villiers engineering company. He was also the Mayor of Wolverhampton for two years in a row. He passed away in 1918 when he was 82 years old.
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John Marston's Early Life
John Marston was born in Ludlow, England, on May 6, 1836. His family owned land. His father, Richard Marston, had also been the Mayor of Ludlow. John went to school at Ludlow Grammar School and later at Christ's Hospital in London.
When John was 15, in 1851, he moved to Wolverhampton. There, he became an apprentice at a company called Richard Perry, Son & Co. This company made metal items and decorated them using a special technique called 'japanning'. Japanning is a way of applying a hard, shiny lacquer finish to metal. The company's workshop was called Jeddo Works, named after an old name for Tokyo, Japan.
Starting His Own Business
In 1859, John Marston finished his apprenticeship. He was 23 years old. He decided to buy a japanning business in Bilston. He then started his own company, which he called John Marston Limited. His company made many different japanned metal goods.
John Marston was very good at business. When his old boss, Mr. Perry, died in 1871, John took over Perry's company. He combined it with his own successful business.
Making Sunbeam Bicycles
In 1877, John Marston started making bicycles. His wife suggested the name Sunbeam for the bikes. The factory was renamed Sunbeamland. Marston wanted to make bicycles that were very high quality. His bikes had special enclosed chains that stayed lubricated.
Until 1936, Sunbeam bicycles were known as some of the best on the market. Their top model was called the 'Golden'. It had light alloy wheel-rims and special gears. It even had real gold-leaf stripes painted on it! Another great model was the 'Royal', which was also high quality but had red stripes. These bikes were made at 'Sunbeamland' in Wolverhampton for many years.
Sunbeam Cars and Motorcycles
Between 1899 and 1901, John Marston's company tried making prototype cars. However, they didn't sell any of these first cars. Interestingly, John Marston didn't like motorcycles because he thought they were dangerous. He never rode a motorcycle or drove a Sunbeam Motor Car Company car. He preferred cycling, often using a tricycle.
The first Sunbeam car that was sold to the public came out in 1901. This happened after John Marston partnered with Maxwell Maberly-Smith. The car had an unusual design with seats on each side. It was powered by a small 3 horsepower engine. About 420 of these cars were sold.
In 1905, the Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited was created. This new company was separate from John Marston's original business, which continued to make Sunbeam motorcycles and bicycles.
Many different Sunbeam motorcycle models were made. The first one, a 350 cc model, came out in 1912. Later, they made larger 500 cc models and some v-twin engines. From 1924, new models were given numbers, like Sunbeam Models 1 through 11. Sunbeam motorcycles were known for their amazing quality and shiny black finish with gold stripes. They even won the famous Isle of Man TT races several times, with their last win in 1929.
John Marston's Later Life
In 1865, John Marston married Ellen Edge. They had ten children together, but sadly, two of them died young. John and Ellen also outlived several of their other children. They lived most of their lives at a home called The Oaks in Wolverhampton.
John Marston was an important person in his local community. He strongly supported education. In 1882, he joined the School Board, which helped manage local schools. He became the chairman of the board from 1886 to 1888.
John Marston was also interested in local politics. In 1885, he was elected as a local councillor for St. Paul's ward. In 1889, he became the Mayor of Wolverhampton and was re-elected for a second term in 1890.
As Mayor, he worked to improve sanitation in the town. He started important projects for water and sewage systems that are still used today. He also oversaw the building of a new power station. This station provided electricity for electric lighting in Wolverhampton. During his time as Mayor, the Local Government Act of 1888 was approved, which made Wolverhampton a County Borough.
John Marston retired from his business on May 6, 1916. He passed away in 1918 at the age of 82.
See also
- John Marston Ltd
- Sunbeam Cycles
- Sunbeam Motor Car Company
