John was born in Rothiemurchus, co. Inverness, Scotland, now in the Highland council area. He was the son of John More and Betty Taylor, with whom he immigrated to America, reportedly when he was 4 years of age. He married first to Eleanor Laraway on 16 Dec. 1792. They had 12 children together, most of whom are linked below. He married second to Rachel Stewart on 7 Jan. 1833 in Stamford, Delaware Co., NY.

John served as a member of the New York State Assembly, 1807, 1808, 1810 & 1814. He was elected to the State Senate in 1819, and served on the Council of Appointment in 1820. He was the first Town Clerk of Roxbury, NY, holding the office until 1809. He was elected Supervisor of the town in 1826, 1827 & 1830. He served as postmaster of Moresville, NY, succeeding his father (and succeeded by his son John L. More).

John was "strongly attached to the doctrines and order of the Reformed Dutch Church." He was a founding member and deacon of the Reformed Dutch Church of Roxbury in 1802.

In politics, he was a Whig. He is referred to as a strong partisan who, in the heat of political strife, "reiterated with emphasis that he had been a Whig since he was five years of age."

The following obituary for John appeared in the Delaware Gazette, Delhi, NY, 1 July 1857, p. 3:

DIED

At Moresville, in this county, on the 23d of June, John T. More, Esq., at the advanced age of 87 years.

Mr. More was among the earliest settlers of the town of Roxbury. He took an active part in political affairs, and was elected to the office of Supervisor and other town offices. For many years he held the office of Post Master at Moresville--has represented this county in both branches of the Legislature and we believe was once a member of the old Council of Appointment previous to the Constitution of 1821. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, he was always respected, honored and esteemed.

For a fuller biography, including a lengthier obituary from the Christian Intelligencer, see History of the More Family ... by David Fellows More (1893), p. 71-74.