John Netherland (September 20, 1808 – October 4, 1887) was an American attorney and politician, active primarily in mid-19th century Tennessee.

While John was still an infant, the family moved to Kingsport, Tennessee, where his parents established a stagecoach stop known as the Netherland Inn.

[3] He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and briefly moved to Franklin, Tennessee, before returning to Kingsport upon the death of his father.

[5] In 1837, Netherland moved to Rogersville, Tennessee, in nearby Hawkins County, where he would live for the rest of his life.

As a wedding present, McKinney built a house for the young couple, Rosemont, which still stands in downtown Rogersville.

[3] Netherland was an at-large elector for Zachary Taylor in 1848, canvassing the state and debating Memphis judge William T. Brown and former governor Aaron V.

In October 1852, Netherland was badly injured in a wagon accident while travelling to Calhoun, Tennessee, with Gustavus Henry and Charles McClung McGhee to stump for Scott.

[9] As the secession crisis arose in the late 1850s, Netherland, like many East Tennesseans, remained steadfastly loyal to the Union.

To challenge pro-secession Southern Democrats, pro-Union leaders formed the Opposition Party, which supported slavery but rejected secession.

[10] As Southern states considered secession following the election of Abraham Lincoln in late 1860 and early 1861, Netherland, along with Temple, William G. Brownlow, Horace Maynard, T. A. R. Nelson and Thomas D. Arnold, canvassed relentlessly to rally support for the Union.

While Tennessee voters rejected holding the convention, sentiments shifted in favor of secession following the Battle of Fort Sumter in April.

[11] Netherland was a member of the Hawkins County delegation at the Greeneville session (June 17–20, 1861) of the East Tennessee Convention, which met a few days after the state voted to secede.

Netherland opposed a motion calling for the use of force if the legislature refused, and repeatedly stressed caution.