John C. Michie was born in 1863 in Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Charles Q. Michie and Rebecca L. Michie (Watts). He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1887. After graduation he worked as Resident Engineer on the Lynchburg and Durham Railroad and remained in Durham after the railroad was completed. He married Miss Emily M. Norwood on April 23, 1890. He worked as a consulting engineer and was in charge of the installation of the water system in Durham. In 1892 he was appointed superintendent of the Durham City Water Works (later Durham Water Company), a position he held until his death.

John C. Michie served as Captain of Company I of the 1st North Carolina Volunteer Infantry (enlisted on April 27, 1898). In July 1898, he was assigned to staff duty in Jacksonville, Florida, as Inspector General and Engineer of 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps. He resigned from service on December 1, 1898. On March 14, 1901 he was appointed Chief of Engineers of the North Carolina National Guard with the rank of Colonel. He retired as a Brigadier General in January 1907.

John C. Michie died on October 18, 1939.