Career
In New York from at least 1696, he became a prosperous merchant and established a successful family as well. He served as an alderman for twenty-two years and as 38th Mayor of New York City from 1739 until his death in 1744. John was probably born in early 1678 in Denmark.
He came to America in the late 17th century, when New York was officially an English colony, but still very much marked by the remains of the Dutch influence of New Netherland.
The following year he gained citizenship, being recognized as a Freeholder of the Province on March 2, 1703. Their children were Anna (1704—1744), Tileman (1705—1730), Henry (1707—1780), John, Junior.
(1710—1791), Sarah (1714—1766), Maria (1715—1787), and Rachel (1721—1775). In 1712, he was elected Alderman for the Dock Ward, a post he would hold until 1735, when he became assistant to the Mayor Paul Richard.
That year he was appointed as Mayor of New New York
He also returned in his will to his religious roots. The graveyard is long gone, but the church is now the Elmendorf Reformed Church in East Harlem.