John arrived in South Australia on the Spartan on 12 April 1848, and for some time worked on a farm, having experience as the eldest son of a prominent farmer, then was for many years an auctioneer.
In November, 1849, he married the youngest daughter of David McLean, who was one of the first farmers to grow wheat in South Australia.
After his marriage he farmed at Penwortham before proceeding to Burra, where he worked for the Copper Company.
In 1853 he returned to Adelaide, and bought land at Angas Plains, where he farmed from 1853 to 1867, being the largest grower of wheat in the State at that time.
[3] He was a prominent townsman in his time, but for many years he was too feeble to get about, and died in an invalid home.