Frank Gibbons
Francis Joseph James Gibbons was one of the family which owned and ran the lock manufacturers, James Gibbons.
1862 Born in Wolverhampton[1]
Gibbons took part in a one-mile bicycle race at an athletics meeting at the Molineux grounds.
1881 He was summonsed for riding a bicycle without lights.
He ventured into making velocipedes; he built Cunard bicycles and tricycles including tandems. The machines were convertible to singles, or a third seat for a child could be added. The width could be reduced to 27 inches by removing a fly nut so that the machine could pass through a narrow doorway.
1886 When Gibbons decided to expand his bicycle-making business, he set up a limited company for the purpose, which would have insulated the family firm from the risk of the new business. He floated the Cunard Cycle Co with a capital of £50,000 to take over his bicycle and tricycle business.
1886 Public offer of shares in Cunard Cycle Co which had been formed to take over and extend the business of Mr Frank Gibbons, St Johns Works, Wolverhampton, manufacturer of the Cunard bicycles and tricycles, including patent rights, stock, plant, machinery[2].
After losing a lot of money he sold the company to the Star of Wolverhampton.
1891 Brass founder, visiting his future wife's family in Hornsey[3]
1901 Locksmith and brass founder, employer, of Upper Penn, Wolverhampton, living with Edith Gibbons 35, Ruth Gibbons 8, Angela Gibbons 6, Margarett Gibbons 4, Anthony Gibbons 2[4]
1946 Died on 28th December[5]