Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Melvin (junior)
Designation:  
Born: 1855
Died: 30 September 1905
Bio Notes: John Melvin Junior was born in Alloa in 1855, the eldest son of architect John Melvin Sr and his wife Helen MacMillan who had married the previous year. He was articled to his father before seeking Edinburgh experience with George Beattie & Son. He returned to Alloa as his father's partner c.1874, but he never enjoyed good health. As the expectations of the Paton family, his main patron, grew in relation to the proposed new office block at Kilncaigs Works, in 1902 'feeling his health and strength unequal for the whole work', Melvin assumed as partner William Kerr. Kerr had been recommended to the Patons by Thomas Graham Abercrombie through family and client connection with the Coats family, relatives of the Patons. Since Abercrombie was a frequent holiday guest on the Coats steam yacht, the connection may have been made directly: it is also possible that it was made through Abercrombie's brother Col R G Abercrombie who lived in Alloa. This tactful arrangement seems to have been in deference to Melvin's past services and the fact that both families were United Presbyterian. John Melvin Junior died three years later at Alloa on 30 September 1905.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Alloa, Clackmannanshire, ScotlandBusinessc. 1874  

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3John Melvin (senior)  Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3George Beattie & SonBefore 1874 Assistant 
Item 3 of 3John Melvin & Sonc. 18741905Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2John Gray1896c. 1901Apprentice 
Item 2 of 2John Grayc. 19011912Assistant 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 331873Greenside Mission ChapelAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 2 of 331874Museum and library for the Natural History and Archaeological SocietyAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 3 of 331874NorwoodAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 4 of 331875Alloa Burgh SchoolAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 5 of 331875Dysart UP ManseDysart FifeScotland 
Item 6 of 331877Clydesdale BankBo'ness / Borrowstouness West LothianScotland 
Item 7 of 33187863 Queen StreetAlva ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 8 of 331878Kilncraigs Factory, Old Mill and Engine HouseAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 9 of 331878Kirkton of Largo SchoolUpper Largo FifeScotland 
Item 10 of 331878Popular InstituteTillicoultry ClackmannanshireScotlandTower added
Item 11 of 331879Tillicoultry Town hallTillicoultry ClackmannanshireScotlandAddition of tower - competition won to secure job
Item 12 of 33c. 1880Villas in Kellie PlaceAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 13 of 331885Alva Infant SchoolAlva ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 14 of 331889Kincardine-on-Forth Public SchoolKincardine-on-Forth FifeScotland 
Item 15 of 331893Clackmannan County Infectious Diseases HospitalSauchie ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 16 of 331896Thistle BreweryAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland'Possibly' (HS)
Item 17 of 331899Infectious Diseases HospitalLinlithgow West LothianScotlandSecured job
Item 18 of 331900Paton's SchoolAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandAdditions
Item 19 of 331901Clackmannan County Infectious Diseases HospitalSauchie ClackmannanshireScotlandLaundry block added
Item 20 of 331901Dundashill Bakery  GlasgowScotlandOriginal building (perhaps a different Melvin?)
Item 21 of 331901Infectious Diseases HospitalBathgate West LothianScotland 
Item 22 of 331901Parish ManseAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandBegun by Melvin but obvious Kerr details
Item 23 of 331901Police StationAlva ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 24 of 331901Union ClubAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandPart of brewery and office of George Younger remodelled as Union Club
Item 25 of 331902Craig-na-AirdAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 26 of 331902CraigmyleAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 27 of 331902Hawkhill CottagesAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 28 of 331902Kilncraigs Factory, West MillAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandTop three floors added
Item 29 of 331902St John's Episcopal SchoolAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 30 of 331904Kilncraigs OfficesAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 31 of 331904Liberal ClubAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 32 of 331904SchoolTillicoultry ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 33 of 331911Women's InstituteDunfermline FifeScotlandPlaced first in competition but Welsh appointed

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Archibald, J1911Alloa Sixty Years Age  Melvin quotation

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Alloa Advertiser21 September 1940   
Item 2 of 3Alloa Journal21 September 1940   
Item 3 of 3Builder14 October 1905v89 p401 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Personal information from A Bryce Kerr, Alfred G Lochhead, John Watson, Alan Reiach, Robert Scott Morton and Gordon Biggar; research by Adam Swan