John Marston, 1889 - 1891

Marston was born in Ludlow, Shropshire, in 1936, the son of a JP and mayor. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and completed his education at Christ's Hospital, London. Destined for a commercial career, he was sent to Wolverhampton in 1851 when he was fifteen where he entered Darby's Iron Works. He was later apprenticed to former mayor Edward Perry's company to learn japanware manufacture at the Jeddo Works on Penn Road. He prospered and purchased his own business in Bilston in 1859 when he was twenty-three. He married twenty-two year old Ellen (Helen) Edge, the second daughter of Charles Edge of Edgbaston, Birmingham in 1865. They had ten children over the following twenty years but the eldest daughter and the youngest son died in infancy. The family lived at 'The Oaks' in Merridale Road. After Edward Perry's death in 1871, Marston combined his own business with that of his patron. His son became a partner in the firm, which became one of the two most important manufacturers in Britain for japanned ware. The business developed into the locally renowned 'Sunbeam' company and included the manufacture of bicycles and motorcycles, gaining an international reputation. Besides his business he took an interest in civic affairs. He was elected to Wolverhampton Council in 1865 as a Conservative for St Paul's Ward, where his company was located. He was the churchman for St Mark's and later held the same position for Christ Church, Tettenhall Wood. He was Chairman of the School Board, a justice of the peace and finally, in 1889, was elected mayor for two consecutive years. He oversaw the financial negotiations with Staffordshire County Council that allowed the passing of the Local Government Act of 1888, enabling Wolverhampton to become a county borough. During his term of office as mayor he celebrated his silver wedding anniversary with Ellen. In 1891 he was created Alderman of the Bar.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 2 (Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton)
WH Jones 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd, London)
Obituary Wolverhampton Chronicle 13th March 1918
Memorial Service Wolverhampton Chronicle 20th March 1918
1928 Sunbeam Bicycles.
Twenty Years of Sunbeam Achievement in Peace of War 1899-1919 (The Sunbeam Motor Car Co)
M Von Harten and M Marston Man of Wolverhampton (Coombe Springs Press, Cirencester)
Photograph Index - Y1/MARS J and Y1/MARS J/4