John Christian Breithaupt was a businessman and politician born in Buffalo, New York, February 27, 1859, the son of Philip Louis Breithaupt and Catherine Hailer. He and his family emigrated to Berlin (later Kitchener) Ontario circa 1862.

John married Caroline Catherine "Carrie" Anthes on January 27, 1892 and the couple had six children: John Edward; Louise Catherine (Geil); Carl Louis; Freida Caroline (Harris); Walter Hailer; and Helena Esther (Duffield). John worked in the family leather tanning business.

John first served on the Berlin council in 1890-1891. He was elected first deputy-reeve in 1893, and reeve in 1894. Following in his brother Louis's footsteps, he ran for and was elected Mayor of Berlin serving 1896-1897. He went back as a councillor and served until 1898, during which time the Berlin water works were purchased by a committee of which he was a member. In 1899, he was elected a member of the first water board.

John died September 14, 1951 and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener. Caroline died May 18, 1963 and was buried with him in Mount Hope Cemetery.