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Nineteen Survivors of the Early Wars Will Be Guests of Honor this Memorial Day

J.W. Coddington

Enlisted in 1863 when 16 years old with Company F. 37th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Wounded in the siege of a fort at battle of Petersburg, Virginia having his left hip shattered by shrapnel.

An interesting event: During a charge on the Weldon railroad, June 17 he found embedded in a large tobacco can that was in his inside vest pocket over his heart a Minnie ball. Here is a time that a plug of "Navy" saved a life. Several thickness of clothing were penetrated, besides the can and tobacco.

Again at the battle of Petersburg a Minnie ball knocked off his cap, stunning him: next his haversack was swept away and his hip shattered. After it was all over there were thirteen bullet holes found in his clothing and several slivers were taken from his hip.

His company was connected with the Army of the Potomac.

He came to California to see what it was like and came back because he liked it.

Santa Cruz Evening News (May 30, 1930)

GAR Well Represented

John W. Coddington, 107 Ocean street, senior vice commander of Wallace Reynolds post, was born in New York City, March 26, 1847, and enlisted at Hudson Wis., on the his seventeenth Birthday. He served in Co. F. 37th Wisconsin, and fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, Weldon Railroad, Battle at Cut No. 10, White House Landing and in the front of Petersburg.

At Weldon Railroad he received a bullet in his tobacco box. The box had just been filled with hard plug tobacco and the force of the missile was spent before it reached his body. Mr. Coddington served with General Sherman and with General Grant in the 9th Corp.

On July 30 1864, in the battle in front of Petersburg, Mr. Coddington was wounded and on October 17, 1864, he was honorably discharged on account of gunshot wounds.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (August 2, 1930)

J.W. Coddington Dies In Nebraska; Hit By Machine

J.W. Coddington, who made his home here with his daughter, Mrs. W. Lutz of 107 Ocean street for several years, died last week in Nebraska. He was on his annual visit to his daughter at Tekamah and shortly after his arrival he was struck by an automobile.

Mr. Coddington was born in New York City in March 1846. He left New York when a young man, going to Argyle, Wisconsin, where he met Martha Mason whom he married, moving to Iowa shortly after in which place they spent most of their married life.

Mrs. Coddington preceded her husband in death shortly after they had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. Coddington is survived by three children, Mrs. Anna Lutz of this city; Mrs. Edith Lee and Mrs. Alice Wetherell of Tekamah, Nebraska, and one son Charles Coddington of Yerington, Nevada. A daughter Gertrude died some time ago.

Besides his children, Mr. Coddington leaves 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His children were all with him during his last illness. Burial was in Adair Iowa. He was a member of the G.A.R. of this city, having served in the Civil War, enlisting from Wisconsin.

Date of Birth: 1847-03-26

Date of Death: 1930-07

County: US/IA

Cemetery/City of Burial: Tekama, IA

Cause of Death: Accd/Auto

Spouse: Mason_ Martha

Local Address: Ocean St 107

Last City: (IA_ Tekama 30)

Native of: NY

Enlisted: 1864/03/26

Discharged: 1865/07/27

Military Unit: WI_ 37 Inf_ Co F

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-PlsntVly_W-Ptrsbg

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
California Death Index
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: W&R 1925 Roster