John was born in Iredell, North Carolina in 1833. He married Lillis on November 27, 1851. Enlisted on May 1, 1861. POW at New Berne, NC. March 14, 1862. Released Apri 5, 1864 at Aiken's Landing, VA. Wounded May 5, 1864 at the Wilderness, VA. with a shot to the right shoulder. At the age of 54, he filed for a war pension. On May 11, 1909 he was admitted to the Old Soldier's Confederate Home in Raleigh, NC. He left February 2, 1910 and died May 1, 1910 at the home of his son Pink Beam in Catawba County, NC.