John Cherry served as a soldier in Capt. William Logan's company, 2nd Regiment, Volunteers, in the Texas War for Independence in 1836. Born in Highland County, Ohio, he came to Texas with his father, Aaron Cherry, in 1818 and settled near a Coushatta Indian village. In 1838, by commission of President Sam Houston, he served as interpreter for Indians in a treaty parley. He received 2 Texas land grants. He married Matilda Bridges, Roxy Line White, and Frances Holt Smith, and had 14 sons and 7 daughters.