John Hutchison was born in Paisley c.1841.He was educated in Paisley and at Glasgow High School and was articled to John Thomas Rochead. He commenced practice on his own account at 14 Causeyside, Paisley, some time prior to 1868. Although he subsequently practised in Glasgow, he continued to live in Paisley and a large part of his business came from there. He was a member of The Club at Paisley and of the Imperial Union Club, Glasgow.
In his later years Hutchison depended heavily on talented assistants, notably Andrew Black, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Thomas Ramsay. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 24 May 1908 at Fairhill, Park Road, Paisley.