John, born in Vermont, moved to New York City at he age of two. Marrying Helen Smith Beeckman in 1836, the couple moved to 119 Mercer St, where all five of their children were born.
For many years John was a NYC merchant, in about 1840 he became interested in coal mining and moved his family to Cumberland, MD. John was the President of Mt. Savage Iron Company and the Cumberland Coal Company. With a keen interest in rail roads, the first ever heavy steel rails came from his Mt. Savage Iron Company.
It is written that John possessed rare intelligence, was a great reader of books, and had a gentle and affable nature.