John J. H. Schwarz was born November 15, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. Schwarz was raised and educated in Battle Creek, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan (1959) and from the Wayne State University Medical School (1964). He served with the US Navy in Vietnam, 1965-1966, as assistant naval attaché with the US embassy in Djakarta, 1966-1967, and then with the Central Intelligence Agency in southeast Asia, 1968-1970.
Returning to Battle Creek, Schwarz began his practice in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. In addition, he involved himself in local government and politics. He was a member of the Republican State Committee, 1975-1976, a city commissioner, 1979-1985, and mayor of Battle Creek, 1985-1987. In 1986, Schwarz was elected to the Michigan State Senate representing the 24th senate district. He was reelected three times, then left office in 2002 due to the state's term limit restriction.
In the Senate, Schwarz served on various committees: appropriations, general government, higher education, and health policy among others. In 1993, he was elected president pro tempore of the senate, serving until he left the senate.
From the guide to the John J. H. Schwarz Papers, 1987-2002, 1999-2002, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
