On November 18, 1810, he married Kathlyne Knickerbocker (1792–1837), and they had eight children, among them Henry K. Viele (1819–1881), who ran in 1860 for Lt. Gov.
of New York; and Gen. and Congressman Egbert Ludovicus Viele (1825–1902).
John L. Viele entered Union College in 1811, but left after a year.
Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812, and practiced in Troy.
He was a member of the New York State Senate (Middle D.) in 1822, elected to a four-year term but legislated out of office by the New York Constitution of 1821.