John Furness (sometimes spelled Furniss) was born in Ecclesall in about 1829, the son of Thomas Furness (a spring knife manufacturer) and his wife, Ann.  By 1851, the family lived and worked in New George Street, where John was listed in a directory as a cutler.   Like his father, John specialised in spring knives.  In 1862, he was at Ward’s Wheel, Sylvester Street; by 1868 he was a spring knife manufacturer at Porter Island Wheel, Sylvester Gardens.  In 1871, he employed three men and two boys.   By 1879, when he had returned to New George Street (Truss Works), he employed two men.  John Furness was listed in New George Street until 1888.   He died in 1894, aged 65, and was buried at Norton Cemetery on 14 December.