In 1916 the death of John Marshall of Alexander Jack & Sons Ltd, Maybole, Ayrshire, marked the end of an era in the Scottish agricultural implement trade. John Marshall, or Provost Marshall, was one of the “giants” in the trade. His death came at a time when a number of the other major makers were also passing.
The North British Agriculturist carried an extensive obituary of the late John Marshall in its columns on 16 March 1916. It describes the development of Alexander Jack & Sons Ltd and his role in the development of the business – a well known and highly reputed one that was known world-wide, his reputation and role within the wider implement making trade in Scotland. It is worth quoting at length:
“The late ex-Provost Marshall
During the last few years death has been taking a heavy toll of the Scottish agricultural engineers. This week, it is with deep regret we have to chronicle the passing away of Mr John Marshall, JP, ex-Provost of Maybole, known throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom as head of the eminent firm of Messrs Alex. Jack & Sons, Ltd, agricultural engineers, Maybole. Mr Marshall had been in slightly failing health for some time, but always looked well-preserved for his years. Those, however, who met him lately have noticed the creeping on of age. He passed away at his residence, Laurel Bank, Maybole, on Sunday last, at the ripe old age of seventy-six.
The firm of Messrs Jack & Sons was founded by Mr Marshall’s father-in-law-the late Mr Jack, who began business in 1835 as a small cartwright and implement maker at Auchendraine on the banks of the Doon, near Maybole. From this latter place he removed to Maybole in 1852, and built the firm’s present works from his own plans. After the removal he was very successful in developing a trade for reapers and mowers, following on the impetus given to the manufacture of these machines through the invention of the Rev Patrick Bell who, some year previously, had evolved the first practical reaper. Mr Marshall was born in Fife, and was trained in his early years for the drapery trade. He went to Maybole in 1870, and in 1876 was assumed by Mr Jack as a partner, and, on the latter’s death, became the sole proprietor of the concern. Under his skillful and energetic management, the business continued to flourish in a marked degree until the works at Maybole became one of the most extensive of the kind, not only in Scotland, but in the United Kingdom, and were reputed for the high quality of the implements turned out from them. Messrs Jack & Sons have always been noted for the efficiency of their mowers and reapers, and also potato diggers, in which they specialise, and of which they make several types. They were particularly successful in making this class of machine, and in 1896, with their “Caledonian” pattern, won the first prize of the R.A.S.E. at Leicester in open competition, an honour which brought with it to Maybole a great volume of both home and foreign business. Of later years, Mr Marshall devoted his energies to labour-saving devices, and especially to the inventing and perfecting of manure distributors. In this line he brought out the “Empire” combination double drill plough and manure distributor, as well as the “Imperial” distributor with finger wheel delivery, which latter machine proved a great success, and brought many large orders to keep the firm’s works steadily going. In addition to implements, Mr Marshall’s firm also did an extensive business in farm carts, and had a large timber trade with sawmills both at headquarters and also in the north of Ireland. Several years ago, Mr Marshall travelled round the world, spending a considerable time in New Zealand, where he made many friends and opened up business connections. Before leaving for that journey, he was entertained to a complimentary dinner in Glasgow (in 19080 by the whole of the Scottish implement trade, which was in itself a good indication of the high esteem in which he was held.
Mr Marshall was one of the best known figures at the shows of the “Highland”, the “Royal”, and the “Smithfield”. He was a very genial gentleman, exceedingly sociable, an adept in telling a good story, and stood high in the esteem of his fellow exhibitors. For some years he held the honourable position of President of the Scottish Agricultural Engineers’ Association, while he was also a director of the Ayrshire Agricultural Association, and of the Glasgow Agricultural Society. He had a many-sided life, for in addition to his municipal work and what he did for the town of Maybole, he also rendered good service as a county councillor. Mr Marshall was one of the last of the old brigade of Scottish implement makers, and since Mr William Elder of Berwick passed away, was regarded in Scotland as the father of the trade. He has had had a long, busy, and well-ordered life, which will ever be an outstanding example of the success which comes from those who are diligent in business. He was predeceased by his wife some years ago, and leaves one daughter, Miss Marshall, the faithful companion of his later years, and to her we tender our respectful sympathy in her great loss.”
