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Born June 12th 1855 at Markdale, Grey County, Ontario. He was the Son of William Hanbury and Jane Whitby (Died 1895 at 65 years old) Both from Ireland.  
 
The Hanbury’s both Homesteaded at Grey County in the early 1840’s. John was Educated in public School at Markdale. At 10 years old he left home and farmed until he was 15 years old, when he apprenticed in the Trade of Plasterer, Mason and Bricklayer.  
 
In 1880 John married his first wife, Martha Miles, (who died in 1898) and was daughter of Joseph Miles, Ospera, Ontario. She bore eight children: Martha (Mrs. A. B. Fleming): Edgar John, (a Travelling Salesman for fathers company): George Richmond, (the Manager of the Vancouver Mill): Wilfred, (a Clerk at the Elko Branch): Ella May, Lawrence Martin, Edith, and Mary Victoria. He married a second wife in 1899, Miss Minnie Isbister.  
 
In January 1882 he arrived in Winnipeg and later moved to Brandon where he was a Contractor. His achievements in Brandon were: construction of the Post office Block, Merchants Block, Langham Hotel, General Hospital Building, and most of all other principal building‘s in Brandon.  
 
In 1840 he started to manufacture Doors, Windows, and House Furnishings. In 1898 he purchased the Assiniboine Lumber Company’s Saw Mill, and its Timber stands in the Duck Mountains.  
 
In 1892 he established Lumber mills at Cranbrook, Elco, and Vancouver British Columbia.  
 
In 1901 he was President of the Manitoba Hardware and Lumber Company, headquartered in Brandon with branches in Hamiota, Minita, Virden, and Reston, by 1906 this company was valued at $150,000.  
 
He was a member of the Brandon Board of Trade, the Mason’s, the Hospital Board, and an Alderman on Brandon city council.  
 
His Brandon home was on the corner of Fifth Street and Lorne Avenue, and has been described as the finest frame house in Manitoba.  
 
He moved to Vancouver, B.C. in 1910 and died at Point Grey, B.C. on April 3rd 1928.  
 
Source: History of Manitoba, by George Bryce, 1906.