In 1851, John King Jarvis was a twenty three year old solicitor's clerk living at London road, King's Lynn, with his widowed grandmother, Ann King, a landed proprietor. Thirty years later he had become a solicitor's managing clerk. He married Louisa, the widow of George Gibson, in about 1880 and moved in with her, her daughter Louise and four domestic servants at St. James' House, 9 St. James' street.

He was renowned for his punctuality when attending to his professional duties. He walked to work down High street and across the Tuesday Market place where his figure was well-known by all the inhabitants. He was popular with all classes and his wide circle of friends, in town and county, found him warm, kind-hearted and benevolent.

J.K. Jarvis was a committed Conservative and at one time was political agent for the Hon. R. Bourke. He was a member of the Town Council and represented the North Ward for eighteen years. He fought alongside James Bowker in 1872 when they defeated W. Clark and D.C. Burlingham. He never gave offence to his political opponents and his judgement on the business of the Corporation was highly regarded.

He died on the morning of 31 May 1884 after a short illness. His funeral service took place on the following Friday at St. Margaret's church and was attended by a large number of friends. Shops were closed and private windows shaded out of respect.