John Wesley Stiles (1811–1885) was an American colonel and inventor who commanded the 83rd New York Infantry Regiment throughout the early years of the American Civil War as well as commander of the 3rd Brigade of James B. Ricketts' Second Division of the III Corps as well as being a renowned inventor at the American Institute of the City of New York.

John was born at New York City on January 31, 1811, as the son of Oratha Stiles and Elizabeth Billings.

[2][1] Stiles married Elizabeth Fisher Taylor on 1836 and had a total of 9 children with her.

[1] Stiles registered in the 9th New York state Militia as its colonel on May 16, 1861, and was later commissioned to be assigned as the main colonel of the 83rd New York Infantry Regiment after relieving the 7th Infantry Regiment.

[4] Stiles returned to New York City with his health in shambles and could no longer continue being a ship chandler but with his new interest in mechanics made him become an inventor and managed to win the gold medal at the American Institute of the City of New York in 1884.