Uncrowned Community Builders

John Molson was born in November 1812 in York, Pennsylvania. His parents were Samuel and Mary Ann (Anderson) Molson. John was one of eight siblings, which included: George, Sally, Samuel D., William, James, Mary Ann (Deputie), Robert and David W. He was married three times; to Louisa Clark (November 20, 1836), Jane Hopkins (December 25, 1885) and Aldomeda Williams (April 21, 1891). His children were James S., Ellen R., Mary D. (Maud) Molson (Hughes), John H., Samuel J., Josey and Charles Sumner Molson.

John was a barber by trade. He worked in Addison, Steuben County, New York and in Detroit, Michigan. An ad in the Addison Advertiser for August 3, 1870 reads: If you want a clean shave, a refreshing shampoo or a fashionable cut on your hair, the place to get perfect satisfaction is at the most popular, aristocratic and enterprising Barber Shop of John Molson! In this shop you will find a polite knight of the Razor", at all times ready to give your hair a most exquisite com, and your face a shave and polish that will defy the skill of any first-class barber to excel. Go to Molson's where perfect satisfaction is warranted every time. Just opposite the Eagle Hotel, Addison, NY. Mrs. Louisa Molson, proprietor; John Molson, agent and business manager." An earlier newspaper article on the Molson Barber Shop appeared on September 30, 1868.

The ad continues with and ad for a restaurant and ice cream saloon, managed and supervised by Miss Maud Molson, John's daughter. The Addison Advertiser reported, in the June 11, 1896 edition, John Molson, a former resident of Addison, died at this home in Detroit, Michigan, last Saturday, aged 81 years. Mr. Molson was a resident of this place for over forty years. He leaves a wife and two sons, Samuel of Lansing, Kansas and Charles of Addison.