John married Mary Elizabeth Hayden on August 21, 1877 in Farmington, IL. They were married by A.R. Mathes and the ceremony was witnessed by George Bartholomew and Robert Montgomery. In February 1880, they moved their family to Bow Creek in Rooks County, Kansas. John bought 80 acres of land about 2 mile from his brother, Elam Bartholomew. Elizabeth died in Kansas when she was 51. John's family lived with John's Dad George until his house was complete in July 16, 1880. Elam and John built the house. There were Indians in the area and Elizabeth was afraid. They sold their claim and moved back to Farmington, IL. They settled at the "old House" on Charlie Hall's Property (Elizabeth's half brother's place) In 1901, Elizabeth and John rented a farm of 120 acres in Good Hope, IL. and raised crops. They got a good price that year 65¢ per bushel for corn & oats. They sold their hogs, horses, and cattle. They had about $4,000 in cash an moved the family to Butler County, Kansas and bought 160A. They build a house and lived there from 1901-1904. They moved to West Plains, Missouri, and bought 120 acres and tried farming, but it didn't go so well. Their daughter Ethel died here at 10 years old.

They moved to Garden City, Kansas and worked in the sugar beet fields. John took his son Alfred with him to Morton County Kansas to stake another claim. John removed the wheels from the covered wagon and sat the box on the ground. He left 15 year old son Alfred there for 10 days alone while he went back to get the family. It was so cold, he almost froze to death. He burnt cow chips to keep warm.

John & Elizabeth moved to California. They didn't stay long as Elizabeth had a heart problem and said the climate didn't agree with her much and she wanted to go back to Kansas. They lived in several more places in Kansas and then settled in Howard, Elk County, Kansas. In 1918, Elizabeth died. John sold their farm and moved to California.

In 1942, John was living at 3301 Howard Street in Fresno, CA.