John William Waters was born about 1827 in Harrison County, OH, the son of Allen Watters and Mary Ann Haxton.

Sometime prior to 1851, he moved to Coshocton County where he married Mary Wilson on 27 February 1851 in a ceremony performed by N. S. Worden, M.G.

They had seven children; Mary Ann (b. Feb 1852), Lewis (b. 14 Jan 1854), Emma L. (b. abt 1857), Melvin J. (b. 14 Oct 1859), Harris (b. Jul 1861), Armina Jane (b. 14 Aug 1862) and an unnamed infant (b. 1864).

John William Waters and his half-brother, Richard Foster Waters, enlisted at Coshocton on 2 May 1864 for 100 days. He was 37 years of age, a farmer, and was described as having hazel eyes, black hair, a fair complexion and was 6 ft. 2 in. tall.

They were mustered in on 13 May 1864 at Camp Chase, Columbus, and were assigned to Co H, 143^rd OVI, under Capt. James Ririe; John William Waters as 1^st Corporal and his half-brother, Richard, as a Private.

John William Waters was serving with the regiment in Virginia, reportedly working on fortifications at Ft. Pocahontas, when he reported sick on 18 July 1864. He died of "unremittent fever" at Balfour Hospital, Portsmouth, VA on 5 Aug 1864, according to a final statement signed by Capt. Ririe at Ft. Pocahontas, VA on that date.

John William Waters was originally buried in Portsmouth Cemetery, but his remains were subsequently relocated into the Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia. His original grave marker had his last name incorrectly spelled as "Waers". The Veterans Administration has since replaced the marker with one on which the information is correct.

A marker was also erected in the Keene Presbyterian Cemetery that states, "John Waters died and was buried at Portsmouth, VA in 1864 in the 38 year of his age." The inscription on the other side reads, "Mary Ann Consort of Allen Waters died Aug 4 1835 age 37 years."

Written and Submitted by:
Robert Howell
howell1938@hpcisp.com