In 1790 John Button was working as a cooper and married Elizabeth Williams (1772–1847) in Dutchess County, New York in 1795.
With the end of the American Revolution and not being an active United Empire Loyalist, Button would not begin the process of migrating north to Canada until the ratification of the Jay Treaty in 1795.
He later sold this grant, moved north to Markham in 1803 and obtained 200 acres (81 ha) around the area now known as Buttonville, Ontario around 1805.
Button began selling off his land holdings in the latter part of his life (1840s) which led to the establishment of Buttonville in 1851.
Major Button Drive is a small residential street in newer section of Markham Village near Highway 7 and Ninth Line.
John Button Waterway North and South are two tracts of greenspace along Apple Creek near Buttonville.