John William Cheek was the son of Thomas and Martha Cheek of Braintree, Essex, England. He was born on 15 February 1855 and died on 26 February 1942. He initially worked with his father on a pioneer bush farm. From 1894 he farmed 1200 acres at 'Cambock' Evandale. John was MLC for Westmoreland, Tasmania from 1907 to 1913 and 1919 to 1942. He was Machinery Manager for A G Webster & Son 1889 - 1910; Vice President of the Australian Prohibition Council for Tasmania from 1920; Superintendent of the Evandale Methodist Sunday School from 1893; Vice President of the Farmers, Stockowners & Orchardists Association; Coroner and Municipal Councilor for Evandale and Justice of the Peace. He was awarded a CBE in 1939 for service to the community. He married Lydia Walker, daughter of Joseph Walker of Glenore in 1886.