Sir John Anthony JP (1862–1935) was a late 19th and early 20th century Scottish businessman who served as Provost of

Govan Govan ( ; Cumbric?: ''Gwovan'?''; Scots: ''Gouan''; Scottish Gaelic: ''Baile a' Ghobhainn'') is a district, parish, and former burgh now part of south-west City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south ba ...

from 1903 to 1906. He was actively involved in the

Temperance movement The temperance movement is a social movement promoting temperance or complete abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and its leaders emph ...

. He was Chairman of the Scottish Liberal Association.

Life

The grave of Sir John Anthony, Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow

He was born in Kirkford near Stewarton in

Ayrshire Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Inbhir Àir, ) is a historic county and registration county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and it borders the counties of Re ...

on 9 February 1862 to Andrew Anthony, a shoemaker, and his wife Agnes McCrae. He was educated at Stewarton Public School. In 1875 he began working as a message boy (delivering telegraphs) based at Stewarton Railway Station. Around 1880 he transferred to Pollokshaws and around 1882 moved to

, still working for the railway, but as a cashier. In 1889 he became a partner in Cockburn Brothers of Govan, iron and steel product manufacturers at St James Ironworks on Helen Street in Govan. In 1897 David Cockburn died and Anthony then became sole proprietor. He expanded the business into

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. He joined Govan town council as a councillor in 1893, becoming a magistrate in 1897 and being elected Provost in 1904. His tasks involved unveiling the statue of

Isabella Elder Isabella Ure Elder (15 March 1828 – 18 November 1905) was a Scottish philanthropist who took a particular interest in education, especially of women, and in the welfare of the people of Govan in Glasgow. In Govan alone, Elder was responsi ...

in Elder Park in Govan in 1906. He was succeeded in 1908 by David McKechnie. He was knighted by King

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until Death and state funeral of George V, his death in 1936. Born duri ...

in 1916. He died on 10 April 1935 at Dalmeny House: 13 Torridon Avenue in

Dumbreck Dumbreck ( gd, An Dùn Breac, lit, the Speckled Fort) is an area in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated south of the River Clyde. Dumbreck is a conservation area. The district is served by Dumbreck railway station. The only church i ...

. He is buried in the crowded south section of

Craigton Cemetery Craigton Cemetery is a cemetery in south-west Glasgow dating from the mid-19th century. It stands on Berryknowes Road. The cemetery has a Jewish section containing 230 graves. The cemetery also contains 251 commonwealth war graves from the Fir ...

Family

He was married to Margaret Murray (1868-1954).Anthony grave, Craigton Cemetery

References

1862 births 1935 deaths People from East Ayrshire Scottish businesspeople Temperance movement Govan Scottish Liberal Party councillors Knights Bachelor Provosts in Scotland {{Scotland-business-bio-stub