North's family was associated with the Methodist Church, as the Second Great Awakening swept New England and New York State in the early 19th-century.

After achieving local recognition in an impromptu debate with the pro-slavery minister Francis Hodgson, North was invited by the Connecticut Anti-Slavery Society to work as a lecturer.

As he gained attention, North's lay license to practice ministry on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church was challenged by Augustus William Smith.

[5] North also practiced law, forming connections with the anti-slavery lawyers and educators Joshua Leavitt, Beriah Green, and William Burleigh, among others.

Seeking new financial opportunities, John and Ann North travelled to Minnesota Territory in 1849, settling in St. Anthony, near the growing cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Territorial governor Alexander Ramsey, appointed by Whig President Zachary Taylor, led local political opposition to the influence of the Democrats and the fur trade.

[9] John and Ann North's aggressive and selective promotion doubled the population of St. Anthony, pushing the political character of the community towards temperance and abolitionism and reducing the power of the Democratic Party.

[12] A year later, the construction projects neared completion, a townsite was platted, and John and Ann moved their family to the town.

[13] North's successful campaign to populate St. Anthony with anti-slavery reformers led to his election to the Minnesota Territorial Legislature in 1851.

[14] On March 29, 1855, several hundred men met in the St. Anthony Congregational church to organize Minnesota's Republican Party.

In early 1863, when Justice Gordon Mott's resignation from the Supreme Court of Nevada Territory was a certainty, Judge Horatio M. Jones recommended North for the vacancy.

In both positions he clashed with William M. Stewart, a prominent lawyer with political ambitions and large mining companies as clients.

He opened a law office in Fresno, built a house and started a farm in nearby small community of Oleander.