John Bogle was a merchant with interests in Glasgow, London, and Tasmania. With James Alexander he established the firm Bogle, Alexander & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland and in London. With Robert Kerr they also established in Hobart a firm by the name of 'Kerr, Bogle, Alexander & Co.' John Bogle moved to Van Diemens land around 1834. He was married to Sarah the daughter of the painter Benjamin Duterrau in February 1838. John and Sarah Bogle returned to Glasgow in 1839, where John continued to manage the Glasgow business. With failing health Bogle retired from the business, moving with his family, two sons and four daughters, to Woodside, Torquay, England. He passed away in March 1879 aged 68.