As a boy he was sent to Flinders Island to learn navigation and seamanship, and after a trip to Europe and three years at the goldfields, he settled in Sydney around 1857.

He worked for the Bank of New South Wales and lived at Hunters Hill, becoming a well-known local businessman, especially in the steam boat and ferry companies.

[1] He was a candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the district of Central Cumberland at the 1874–75 election, but was defeated.

[1] Jeanneret died at his son's home at Richmond River near Wyrallah, on 23 August 1898(1898-08-23) (aged 64).

[7][8] The NSW Parliament website incorrectly records his death location as simply "Richmond".