John Daniel Heal was born in Turleigh (spelt Turley at the time) near Bradford-on-Avon, England on 18 January 1825, and was baptised in the parish church, St Nicholas', Winsley on 17 April 1825.

In 1903, John Heal was living in retirement with his unmarried daughter Lizzie at his residence, Bath Villa, 555 Leichhardt Street, Fortitude Valley.

In 1863, he leased the Prince Consort Hotel in Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley[19] and became a publican.

[23] However, the following year, Heal won the ward of Fortitude Valley back (Corrigan did not stand for election)[24] and held it until 1894, after which he did not seek re-election.

[25] He is also mentioned on a monument in Brisbane commemorating the heroic acts of a fireman who died in the line of duty while he was mayor.