Born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, John assisted his father in working their farm and soon became acquainted with the field of agriculture. In 1839 he went to Galena, Illinois and supplied government provisions for the next five years. He then went to Pike County, Missouri to the town of Louisiana where he erected a large flour mill and also became engaged in merchandising. After five years, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri so he could expand his business. He purchased an interest in the large foundry establishment of Samuel Gaty. Always enterprising, he believed that a lucrative trade could be established between St. Louis and the intervening river towns to Keokuck, Iowa and established the Keokuck Packet Company. He soon has his line of packets plying between Keokuck and the various cities between there and St. Louis on the Mississippi River. The trade proved to be a most profitable one and helped to develop the resources of some of the most flourishing towns on the Mississippi River which had been unknown before the company’s creation. Although connected with an extensive foundry business and the Keokuck Packet Company, he accepted the nomination of the presidency of the Pilot Knob Iron Company in 1857. He was a director of the Real Estate Savings Institution, State Mutual Insurance Company, and was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of a district school. He was also a director of the Globe Insurance Company.

Born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, John assisted his father in working their farm and soon became acquainted with the field of agriculture. In 1839 he went to Galena, Illinois and supplied government provisions for the next five years. He then went to Pike County, Missouri to the town of Louisiana where he erected a large flour mill and also became engaged in merchandising. After five years, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri so he could expand his business. He purchased an interest in the large foundry establishment of Samuel Gaty. Always enterprising, he believed that a lucrative trade could be established between St. Louis and the intervening river towns to Keokuck, Iowa and established the Keokuck Packet Company. He soon has his line of packets plying between Keokuck and the various cities between there and St. Louis on the Mississippi River. The trade proved to be a most profitable one and helped to develop the resources of some of the most flourishing towns on the Mississippi River which had been unknown before the company’s creation. Although connected with an extensive foundry business and the Keokuck Packet Company, he accepted the nomination of the presidency of the Pilot Knob Iron Company in 1857. He was a director of the Real Estate Savings Institution, State Mutual Insurance Company, and was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of a district school. He was also a director of the Globe Insurance Company.