John Marston

John Marston is the main character and protagonist of Red Dead Redemption. He is voiced by actor Rob Wiethoff.

Early Life
John Marston's father was an illiterate Scottish immigrant, who was born on a boat to New York, and his mother was a prostitute, who died during childbirth. After his father died 8 years later, John was then sent to an orphanage, which he promptly ran away from. Later he joined a gang that took care of him, and taught him how to read. He is pretty much just a badass.

Background
John Marston is a former outlaw and bandit. After being seriously wounded in a bank robbery, and left to die by Bill Williamson and his other former brothers in arms, Marston sought to retire. Putting his past deeds behind him, he has purchased himself a ranch, got married, had a son and daughter (who later died). Despite Marston's apparent reformation, he is still a masterful gunman, rider, rancher and hunter.

Marston is a rugged survivalist and knows life as a fight to survive. Marston is old-fashioned in a world rapidly experiencing the encroachment of technology.

Storyline
At the onset of Red Dead Redemption, in 1911, Marston is sent across the troubled American frontiers in order to kill or capture his former gang member Bill Williamson under orders of Agent Edgar Ross. Ross threatens the well-being of Marston's family, and more significantly, his wife and son.

After setting out, he encounters and allies alongside Marshall Leigh Johnson. This illustrates that Marston retains some level of respect for lawmen.

Death
In the mission The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed, John Marston is gunned down by Agent Edgar Ross, and his associates. Jack Marston, John's son and Abigail Marston recover John's body after hearing shots, and bury the deformed body. After the death of John Marston, the new protagonist is Jack Marston. Jack has access to his father's money, clothing and still has the same honor and fame as John.

Quotes
"I rode in a gang. We robbed trains, banks, held people for ransom- we killed people we didn't like. Bill Williamson was in that gang."

- John Marston

"If I don't capture my former brother in arms, great harm will befall my family."

- John Marston

"I left the gang after the gang left me."

- John Marston

"It's you or me - The way I see it; It might as well be you."

- John Marston

John Marston: My name is John Marston.

Marshal Johnson: What are you doing here, Mr. Marston?

John Marston: I'm here to capture or kill Bill Williamson.

Marshal Johnson: (laughs) Okay.

Trivia

 * Marston resembles Red Harlow with his similar scars. Both Marston and Harlow's scars resemble those of the protagonist of the 1976 film The Outlaw Josey Wales
 * In a recent Q & A, Rockstar confirmed John cannot swim very well. He can wade through shallow water, and board rafts and steamboats to move around certain bodies of water, but if he enters deep water, he will drown.
 * John can actually buy tobacco, says a recent preview in Game Informer magazine. He can also purchase a rabbit's foot and other items.