In 1846 he established himself as a printer in Kirkby Stephen and called himself "Poet" Close and his house "Poet's Hall".

His prolific publications included his annual "Christmas Book". In addition to his verses and stories these gave a revue of the year's events in the district and therefore contain much biographical information on the inhabitants of the district as well as on his family and relations.

In 1858 he married Eliza Early, a young widow who had three children and together they had five of their own. During the summer months John lived at Bowness where he had a bookstall at the boat-landing stage on Lake Windermere.

The Closes and the Barkers were ardent Methodists, several of them being local preachers for many years, However John was always making disparaging remarks about Methodists while at the same time writing about "good old John Barker". At one time his sister Ann, who was married to a local preacher, George Yare, wrote to him on behalf of their mother, asking him not to be so harsh on the Methodists.

He was in the habit of letting his pen run away with his discretion and so in 1859 was taken to court in Liverpool for libel for remarks he had made about a young lady of the Kirkby Stephen district. This resulted in £300 damages against him. He also had great difficulty making a living, however, he was in the habit of saying flattering things of those in authority and in high places.