John Hennon Hackworth was born in 1843, the son of Thomas Hackworth (1797-1877) and Adele Celestine Hackworth (nee Hennon). Thomas was Timothy Hackworth’s (1786-1850) brother and John Hennon Hackworth was Timothy Hackworth’s nephew.

In 1871 he married Sophia Margaret Hackworth (nee Dorey), who is thought to be born in 1837 and died in 1899. They had a daughter and a son. After Sophia's death, he married Sarah Louise Hackworth (nee Benn), who was born in 1855 and died in 1921.

John Hennon Heckworth worked at Fossick and Hackworth, a business established by his father after he left Soho works. Later he became a ‘sea going engineer’ for six years and then lived in London. He died in 1923.