John Hendry's father had immigrated to New Brunswick from West Kilbride, Scotland in 1840, settled in Gloucester County, and was engaged in the sawmill and flour milling businesses.

He then travelled in the “western States,” but in 1870 he returned to New Brunswick to establish a sawmill, which exported to the West Indies.

He resigned in July because of a conflict of interest with him being involved with the New Westminster Southern Railway Company.

Hendry's introduction of steam donkeys and railways were the model for the lumber industry of the 20th century.

In 1926, Hendry's daughter Aldyen, who was married to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Eric Hamber, donated some mill property to the Vancouver Park Board with the condition that it be named after her father.