As a result of the circumstances of his parentage and the early death of his mother, John Hardy Steele was raised primarily by his maternal grandfather, Absalom Taylor.

Steele designed and constructed the spinning mules and looms for Morison's mills, one of which was the first to weave cotton cloth by waterpower.

A Democrat in a town that was predominantly Whig in its politics, Steele was popular enough personally to win election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1829.

Steele was also active in the New Hampshire Militia, and attained the rank of colonel as aide-de-camp to Governor Matthew Harvey.

After leaving office Steele retired to a farm, where he conducted experiments in animal husbandry and other scientific agriculture techniques.