Constituency : Droitwich ( renamed Mid or Droitwich Division of Worcestershire in 1885 ) 1874-92 ( from 1886 Liberal Unionist )
John managed to unseat the Tory Sir John Pakington who had held the seat since 1837.
John was the son of a successful canal transporter but he realised the business was archaic in the railway age and sold his share in 1850 investing in a salt mine instead. He built this up to the largest in Europe and became very wealthy. He was a benevolent employer paying notably high wages and abolishing female labour in 1859. He helped develop the town as a health resort .He was a director of the Midland Railway. He first contested Droitwich in 1868.
John was a supporter of female suffrage. He described himself as an "independent Liberal".
John was unopposed in 1885 due he thought to the influence of Sir Edmund Lechmere who was "in a great measure on our side".
John went over to the Liberal Unionists in 1886 and retained his seat with a large majority . He stepped down in 1892 due to failing health.
John's wife was Irish but brought up in France. She missed the lifestyle so in 1875 John had a French chateau built just outside Droitwich at exorbitant cost. Despite this they eventually separated.
In 1888 John sold the business and spent much of the proceeds on philanthropy.
He died in 1901 aged 83.
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