The wooden two masted scow-schooner Honest John was built in Oak Creek, Wisconsin by David Clow in 1848. In 1863 the vessel was valued at $1,000 and rated C2 for insurance purposes. The official registry number was 11180.

1868: Major repairs were made and the gross tons was changed from 117.85 to 98.27.

June 1870: Schooner Honest John and scow Skidmore collide off Chicago in Lake Michigan.

1874: Repairs.

June 1875: Honest John damaged by collision in Lake Michigan off Chicago.

1876: Enrolled as a scow.
Honest John was laid up and abandoned in the Menominee Slip boneyard near the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul elevator at Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 2,1880 (some report as late as 1883). Subsequently, other vessels were also abandoned there starting the Milwaukee boneyard. Examples are: Lewis Ludington, Buena Vista, and Elbe.

Last Document Of Enrollment Surrendered at Milwaukee 3/31/1884.
The Honest John was abandoned at the Milwaukee boneyard in the early 1880s. During more recent harbor improvements the remains of the vessel may have been removed.