In 1889 Mr. John Priest was elected Mayor of Glen Innes. Mr. John Priest is an important saddler as he was Mr. Fred Kneipp Snr's master, before Fred relocated to Tenterfield where he commenced his own saddlery business.

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Prior to him acquiring the position of Mayor in Glen Innes a scribe from the Glen Innes Examiner wrote on the subject of Mr. Priest's Saddlery & Harness Works in 1888. It said: "In an up-country township like Glen Innes, where business or pleasure constantly necessitates excursions to localities more or less distant, which as a matter of course entail the frequent use of saddlery or harness, it is undeniably an advantage of the first moment to have in our midst a supply of these at reasonable prices of such excellent quality as to be beyond cavil, besides the certainty that such work, either repairing or making to order as will be required from time to time, will be done in Glen Innes in as thorough and workmanlike a manner as it could be in the metropolis. These desiderata are to be found in a marked degree at Mr. Priest's workshop, which anyone who doubts can verify by visiting in person. Mr. Priest's is the oldest establishment of the kind in central New England, having been established 15 years ago and for the last ten years it has been in the possession of the present proprietor. Every branch of the business is carried on in the building, and be it side-saddle, harness, or collar that is required it can either be supplied from the goods always in stock, or if preferred can be made to order at the shortest notice. Mr. Priest makes a specialty more especially of the requirements of carriers, but of truth any customer, be he ever so fastidious, would most assuredly find the very thing he required at this unique establishment. The different textures of leather used in the various branches of the trade are collected together each from the district which, produces the best of its kind — from Port Macquarie and Newcastle, in addition to the excellent varieties produced in our own township, besides numerous kangaroo skins which are cut up into laces. In the saddler's workshop, in addition to the processes every one is familiar with, there is also a hair-grinding machine, on passing through which coarse and tangled horsehair assumes the appearance and consistency almost of silk to render it suitable for stuffing. A shed full of rye straw, which on account of its tough wiry nature, is best suited for twisting into collars, is certain to attract attention. Mr. Priest seriously contemplates adding additional machinery and other modern improvements to his already well-supplied workshops, although the stabling of the iron horse in Glen Innes has sadly impaired his business, and it is not cheerful to hear that whereas four or five years ago ten or twelve men found employment in the establishment, a third of that number can do all that is required at the present time. In spite, however, of this temporary depression in his business, the pluck, perseverance, and intelligence of the proprietor are bound to keep his in the front rank of saddle and harness factories; and a proof of the excellence of Mr. Priest's work is afforded by the fact that he has obtained no less than 30 prizes at the various shows in New England; but so confident is he of the quality of his work that he lays no stress on this fact, and although many a voucher ticket is still to be seen tacked up in various parts of his establishment, many a one has been lost. It is satisfactory to know that even this year he obtained three prizes, but, as 1 said before, so little does he care for these things, that this fact actually fail to be drawn out of him by your reporter."

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The Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser on Saturday 28 December, 1889 reported how he attained the position of Mayor of Glen Innes, plus some history of his life.  

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"Mr. John Priest is a native of the colony. He was born at West Maitland in the year 1851, and is consequently now 38 years of age. While very young he removed with his parents to Singleton, where he received his education, and learned the trade of saddle and harness making.

 

He left Singleton in 1870 and worked at different periods in Muswellbrook, Murrurundi, Meat Maitland, and Armidale. His ability at the trade and straightforward character secured him the confidence of his employers and the esteem of his fellow workmen. In 1878 he purchased a saddlery business at Glen Innes, which he has conducted successfully ever since.

 

He was elected an alderman of the borough in 1879, and, with the exception of a voluntary recess of about two years, has occupied the office ever since.  He has taken a great interest in the formation and support of the local brass band, and is also a member of the committees of the Hospital, School of Arts, and Agricultural Society. He is loyal to the district in which he lives, and takes an active part in anything calculated to advance its interests.

 

He was proposed as Mayor for the present year by the retiring Mayor, and was elected by the unanimous vote of the council."

 

John Priest retired from his saddlery business in approximately 1918.

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In May, 1938 the Newcastle Morning Herald reported on the death of John Priest. "The death this week of Mr. John Priest, at the age of 87, removes one of Glen Innes' oldest and best known citizens. In earlier years Mr. Priest was a conspicuous figure in civic life. An early alderman and mayor, secretary of the P. and A. Society, School of Arts president, and associate of the old Philharmonic Society, choir conductor, bandsman, and Hospital Board member, Mr. Priest's name is indelibly written in the annals of public life in Glen Innes."