Born in 1862 when father was manager of Clackmannan Brick & Tile Works. Family moved to Winchburgh brickworks where John became apprentice. Then worked at Cumbernauld Pipe Works, Glenboig Union Fireclay Co and Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd. Established own company at Milnquarter in 1887, partnership in 1891 then sole partner in 1896. He married Ann Clelland Bulloch Henderson in Cumbernauld on 23 Nov 1883 and they had ten children. In 1927 he grazed his shin on a brick and died of blood poisoning.