[handwritten text:]
from a Portland, Maine paper, summer of 1932

John D. Williams, 88, Civil War Veteran, Is Dead At Whitefield

Last Survivor Of The "White Coats" Was Portland Native

John D. Williams, 88, Civil War veteran and last survivor of the famous "White Coats" of the Portland Light Infantry, died at Whitefield Thursday after nearly six years' illness.

In his youth, before the Civil War, Mr. Williams was one of the company of volunteer soldiers which gained the sobriquet "White Coats" because of the uniforms they wore. With the white coats, these soldiers, all members of the Portland Light Infantry, wore huge beaver hats.

In Army and Navy

During the Civil War Mr. Williams served both in the Army and in the Navy. At the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted in Company B, 12th Maine Regiment. Mustered out of service because of sickness he later joined the Navy and served as third assistant engineer in the steamer Gladiolus, attached to the South Atlantic squadron.

Born on State Street, Portland, Sept. 14, 1843, son of the late Judge John H. and Mary Dix Williams, Mr. Williams made Portland his home until last Fall when he moved to Whitefield. He attended Master Taylor's School and was graduated from Portland High School in the Class of 1857. He studied civil engineering under Charles Edwards, then the city engineer, and practiced that profession until the Civil War.

As an engineer in the Navy Mr. Williams was a member of the first boatload of Union tars to enter Fort Ripley, Charleston, after that fort's capture in 1864. When the war ended Mr. Williams was transferred to the Revenue Service.

He served on the cutter Pawtuxet in Boston Harbor and later was transferred to the cutter Mahoning, on duty patrolling the Maine Coast. In 1866 he resigned and became a civil engineer in the employ of the City of Portland until 1873.

Retired 12 Years Ago

Then he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, first as receiving clerk and later became cashier, serving in that post until 1902. In 1906, he became custodian of the safe deposit vaults at the Casco National Bank, remaining in that position until his retirement about 12 years ago.

Until six years ago, when he became so ill that he needed constant care, Mr. Williams lived alone at 148 Beacon Street. He spent most of every day sitting in a deep rocking chair at a window on the street and waved cheerily to neighbors and friends. He was especially popular with the youth of the neighborhood.

Mr. Williams was a member of Maine Lodge, F. & A. M.; St. Alban Commandery, Knights Templar; Iona Chapter, O. E. S.; and was an Odd Fellow. He was a past commander of Thatcher Post, G. A. R., and at one time served as junior vice commander of the Department of Maine.

Mr. Williams' wife, who was Miss Goldie [sp.?] M. Hussey of this City, died nearly 20 years ago. His only near living relatives are two brothers, Charles E. and George A. Williams, both of this city.