Harvard college, class of 1798 , classmates William ellery Channing, DD, Stephen Longfellow, DD Joseph Story LLD, Joseph Tuckerman DD; Harvard AM degree in 167 (posthumous). Entered the office of Judge Henry Smith of Exeter, NH as a law student, then practiced law in Haverhill, MA "highly successful liberal to a fault, warm-hearted and generous, gentlemanly very fair and impartial lawyer." He was of the Federal school of politics. State Senate of MA, 1818, National House of Representatives, 1826, two terms, defeating Caleb Cushing in 1828 (famous congressional contest of the time), popular in DC and in his district. Published newspaper in Haverhill with Isaac R Howe of Haverhill.married Mary Pease Varnum while he was a member of Congress from MA. Brother-in-law Caleb Butler of Groton's letter in 1826 discusses Calhoun, Clay and Jackson. John's letter of that time mentions the New Year's reception with the President and "twenty Indian chiefs in paint and feathers", noting that it was "ungenteel for any man to be seen with his wife". After his retirement from congress, he moved to Haverhill to take possession of his brother's farm and opened a law practice in Lowell, then moved to Niles, MI with his sons. He was " tall, fine-looking distinguished great conversational powers favorite with everyone who knew him.”