This cutler was close to the Wicker and the River Don in an area thick with workshops, coal yards, and railway sidings.  George was born in Grimesthorpe, the son of Benjamin and Mary Beardshaw, who in 1841 lived in Tom Cross Lane (Spitalfield Place).  His father was a table knife cutler, who in the 1830s had apparently plied his trade in Fitzalan Square.  It appears that Benjamin and Mary died within months of each other in early 1845 (Mary in January, aged 64; Benjamin on 7 April, aged 68) and were buried in St John’s churchyard, Park.  George Beardshaw then started his own business as a table knife manufacturer.  Based in Spitalfield Place, by 1851 he employed twelve men in the manufacture of table, shoe, butcher, palette, and pruning knives.  Table knives were his speciality.  In 1858, George advertised in a Birmingham directory from Tom Cross Lane. 

By 1881, George had brought his son (also named George) into the business.  It still employed a dozen men and was based in Marcus Street, with the family living in Brunswick Road.  George Beardshaw Sen. died on 4 December 1884, aged 66, leaving £2,045.  The business was taken over by his son.  He remained head of George Beardshaw & Son until his death (aged 56) in Rock Street on 1 June 1914.  He was unmarried, took no part in public life, but according to his obituary was a devoted Churchman.  He was buried in the General Cemetery.  The business was listed at 4 Marcus Street in 1920 but had ceased trading by the early 1930s.