Background
McGlashan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 7 November 1802.
McGlashan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 7 November 1802.
John McGlashan worked tirelessly for the Otago Association as its secretary and in 1853, he decided to emigrate himself. John McGlashan stood for election in the Western electorate for the second provincial council, and he represented the electorate from 29 November 1855 to 11 December 1859, and from 13 January 1860 to 7 February 1863. John McGlashan served on the Executive Council on four occasions between 1855 and 1863, and during that time was provincial secretary and provincial solicitor.
In 1858, he was deputy superintendent under William Cargill.
McGlashan died after a riding accident in 1864.