Johannes Hottinger was born in 1712, the sole surviving son among Hans-Rudolf and Verena Hottinger's five children. The year of Johannes's birth was marked by the end of the 2nd Battle of Villmergen, following which Zurich was fully able to capitalize on its position as a major European crossroads and trading center. Johannes's career would be further aided by the fact that his uncle, Christof Hottinger, was Deputy of the City Council for the powerful saffron corporation and Treasurer of the Grossmünster.