John Thomas Graham had a very varied life, excelled at all he did and worked until a short time before his death at the age of 78 years. He commenced his working life as an apprentice carpenter but his love for engineering took him to Burlington colleries in Lancashire where he drove and maintained the main engine. After a time he came to Halstead as a watchmaker then became interested in electrical work and installed the first telephone in the town from his own construction, sometime before the Post Office telephones. He designed and patented a Petrol Air Gas machine (seen in this photo) used for heating and cooking purposes before World War I. He was also employed at Messrs Charles Portway & Son where he designed several of the world famous "Tortoise" stoves and ovens. Over 30 patents were taken out by him for his inventions. In spite of all his work he still found time to give lectures on a wide variety of subjects, paint in oils and construct over 100 working models of steam engines.
To view the Tortoise Stove and plaque that now stand at the Bus and Car Park, Butler Road, click here
