Soon after Johann was born, his parents moved to Hoyleton, IL. He spent his boyhood days here and attended Trinity Lutheran School. He served as Pastor Katthain's stable boy and was encouraged by him to attend the Evangelical Lutheran Teachers Seminary, Addison IL. He entered the Seminary in 1876 and graduated in 1881.
After his marriage to Marie Catherine Twenhafel, they moved to South Chicago where Johann taught a Christian Day School. In 1883 Johann accepted a call as principal of the Christian Day School at Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna Perry Co. MO. He served as teacher, organist, and choir director for 50 years and retired in 1933. They were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 1942. A year after his retirement, he and his wife and daughter Theresia moved to St. Louis, MO. Theresia never married and lived and cared for her parents. Henry became quite forgetful in his later years. Her parents were often heard to remark that they neither had been compelled to spend time in the hospital for surgery or ailments. According to his death certificate, he died of Arterio sclerosis and Inanitition. It also stated he died at home at 4716 San Francisco Ave St. Louis MO