John Hater met Gertrud Tenbrink while both families lived on Hopkins St. in Over-the-Rhine. They married on October 5, 1869, in St. Francis Seraph Chuurch at Liberty and Vine Streets.
John and Gertrude eventually moved to 1715 Westwood Ave. in Lick Run (now South Fairmount).
John owned real estate throughout Cincinnati, including several rental properties.