Like his wife Sarah, John was born in England. His family immigrated to America about the same time as Sarah's, settling in Lake County, Ohio, in the 1840s. John and Sarah moved to Cleveland in 1855, where he operated a successful wooden ware manufacturing company located in Cleveland Centre. He also served as president of the People's Gas Light Company and vice-present of the People's Savings & Loan Association. He died in his house on the northwest corner of Franklin Avenue (Boulevard) and Kentucky (West 38th) Street in 1888 at the age of 69.