John N. Coder was born 13 November 1843 in Danville, Montour County, PA. He was the son of GEORGE H. CODER and ALIDA PITNER. His family moved to Shamokin, Northumberland Couty in 1850.

As a teenager John worked in the general store of WILLIAM H. CHERRINGTON of Shamokin. He was paid $9.00 a month. John helped support his family due to the ill health of his father.

John enrolled in the Union Army for a 3 year enlistment on 17 February 1862 at Shamokin. He served with Co.K, 46th PA Volunteer Infantry. John was wounded in the leg “while charging the enemy” at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, on 9 August 1862 and died at Wolf St. Hospital, Alexandria, VA, on 19 September 1862. He is buried in the Veteran’s Circle at the Shamokin Cemetery. John was 19 years old at the time of his death.