It stands for "William" (actually Wilhelm originally). This is a case of someone being born in a foreign country and later, deciding to make their name sound more like an English-language name. He was born in Sweden, and his birth name was Johan Wilhelm Nordström. He came to America at age 16, and as many immigrants did, he reached the decision that his name sounded better as "John William Nordstrom," or John W. Nordstrom.
John Truax's birth name is John W. Truax.
John Weidman's birth name is John W. Weidman.
John Intlekofer's birth name is Intlekofer, John W..
Wystan Hugh
The full name of F. W. Woolworth was Frank Winfield Woolworth.
Wystan Hugh
Wayne
David Llewellyn
John W. Bullock
His name was John W. Hinckley.
galleano bottle with spout and electrical stand
Tex Driscoll's birth name is Morris, John W..