John Faulkner (1823-1897)
John Faulkner (c1823-1897) of John Faulkner (Manchester)
c1823 Born in Manchester the son of Valentine Faulkner (1800-1847), Wireworker
1848 Married at Manchester Cathedral to Jane Mills the daughter of Joseph Mills, gentleman. John was a wireworker and son of Valentine Faulkner, Wireworker.
1861 Living at 38 Percival Street, Manchester: John Faulkner (age 38 born Manchester), Lightening Conductor Erector. With his wife Jane Faulkner (age 36 born Heywood) and their four children; James Mills Faulkner (age 9 born Manchester); Joseph Mills Faulkner (age 8 born Manchester); Sarah Jane Faulkner (age 6 born Manchester); and Martha Faulkner (age 3 born Manchester).[1]
1871 Living at 13 Great Ducie Street, Manchester: John Faulkner (age 48 born Manchester), Telegraph Manufacturer employing 6 men and 2 boys. With his wife Jane Faulkner (age 46 born Heywood) and their three children; Joseph M. Faulkner (age 18 born Manchester); Sarah J. Faulkner (age 16 born Manchester); and Martha Faulkner (age 13 born Manchester).[2]
1897 February 7th. Died at Strangeways.[3]
1897 Notice. 'Mr John Faulkner, who died, in his 74th year, Sunday, at his residence in Strangeways, Manchester, was one the first to introduce perfect system of conductors for the protection buildings from lightning. His "electric kite" was applied in early days to high steeples and tall chimneys. One his earliest applications of electricity was made in connection with signal* and bells for coal mines.'[4]
1897 Notice. 'One of the oldest of electricians has pished away in the person of Mr. John Faulkner at his residence in Strangeways, Manchester. Mr. Faulkner, who attained the age of seventy-four years, had been connected with electrical science for upwards of sixty years. He attended Mr. Sturgeon’s lectures the subject the Victoria Gallery of Practical Science in the Exchange, Manchester, fully sixty years ago. Ho was one of the first to introduce and adopt a perfect system of conductors for the protection of buildings from lightening, and among the edifices on which he placed conductors may be mentioned St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1875 he invented improved electro-magnetic telegraph sounders and bells, and one these sounders was adopted by Professor Bell in his earliest telephonic experiments, and was first exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876. Recently, in consequence of his failing health, his business had been conducted by his sons. Mr. Faulkner had frequently been engaged in the North of Ireland in protecting buildings, church steeples, tall chimneys, &c., from the effects of lightning.'[5]
Notice. 'My Grandfather John Faulkner of Strangeways, Manchester was one of the pioneers- electrically. He carried about him a number of telephones which he had made himself. These he demonstrated in various buildings in Manchester. He was persuaded to send them to be exhibited at the Scientific Exhibition which was to be held in Philadelphia. This was before Graham Bell took out a patent for the telephone.'[6]