John Magrath Kelly
1846 Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA[1]
1884 John Magrath Kelly became an agent for the Lamson Cash Ball system in London, operating from a small private hotel in Craven Street.
By 1886, John Kelly had premises in Guilford Street, Bloomsbury with the cellar as a shop, the ground floor as factory, and the first floor as accommodation for his family.
1888 Business flourished; on 9 August, the Lamson Store Service Co Ltd was established. The company had rights to the ball system for the "Eastern Hemisphere", i.e. Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Kelly introduced a revolutionary form of improving efficiency for retail stores, the Lamson Store Service Co's wire-rail communication from counter to cashier in retail shops.
He provided financial assistance to the Paragon Check Book Co with which he had common interests.
1889 Lamson Paragon Supply Co was formed bringing together the Paragon Check Book and Lamson Store Service companies
1891 John M Kelly 45, commission agent for American Exchange, lived in Brixton with Ella B M Kelly 38, Paul H Kelly 9, Agnes M Kelly 4, Joseph J Kelly 2, Rose E Kelly 11 months[2]
c.1894 Kelly started selling Lamson Rapid Wire systems in the UK.
1899 Kelly was first managing director of Lamson Pneumatic Tube Co.
1901 John M Kelley 55, managing director to industrial companies, lived in Norwood with Ella B M Kelley 49, Paul K Kelley 19, clerk to father, Agnes M Kelley 14, Joseph J Kelley 12, Ross E Kelley 10[3]
1911 John Kelly 65, director of companies, lived in Chislehurst with Ella Kelly 59, Agnes Kelly 24, Rose Kelly 20[4]
In 1912 Mr. Kelly retired
1913 of Chislehurst when he died at Woodford[5]