Michael Marks emigrated to England around 1882 and moved to Leeds, where a company called Barran was known to employ Jewish immigrants.
13 Facts About Michael Marks
2.
Michael Marks married Hannah Cohen at the Great Synagogue on Belgrave Street, Leeds, in 1886.
3.
Michael Marks met Isaac Dewhirst, the owner of a Leeds warehouse, in 1884.
4.
The venture was a success and enabled Michael Marks to raise enough capital to establish a stall in Leeds' open market.
5.
Michael Marks made the decision to rent an area at the new covered market in Leeds, which traded six days of the week.
6.
In 1894, Michael Marks decided that if he was to expand the business further, he would need a business partner.
7.
Michael Marks initially approached Isaac Dewhirst, who decided against the offer but suggested that his cashier Thomas Spencer might be interested.
8.
The running of the business was split between Spencer, who managed the office and warehouse, and Michael Marks, who continued to run the market stalls.
9.
Together, Spencer and Michael Marks were able to open stores in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull, Sunderland and Cardiff.
10.
On 5 May 1897, Michael Marks was naturalised as a British subject.
11.
Michael Marks continued to develop the business until his death at Knolls House, 396 Bury New Road, Salford, on 31 December 1907.
12.
Michael Marks was buried in the Old Jewish cemetery, Crumpsall, in plot number 1917, on 2 January 1908.
13.
Michael Marks introduced the "St Michael" brand name in honour of his father, which remained in use until 2000.