John W. Waterhouse was the son of a nonconformist Pitsmoor family.  His father, Robert Waterhouse (c.1802-1858), was a confectioner.  John and his brother Thomas became merchants in the steel, tool, and cutlery trades.  John apparently acquired the assets of James Innocent.  Waterhouse advertised in the 1863 directory as ‘late J. Innocent & Sons’, manufacturing fine cutlery, pen, pocket, sportsman’s, pruning and desk knives, and general merchant, in Burgess Street. 

The venture was short-lived and ceased trading after 1865.  John moved to London and was enumerated in the 1871 Census as a bank shareholder.  He returned to Sheffield and in his later years lived with his mother Elizabeth, who died in 1891, aged 91.  John W. Waterhouse, Broomgrove Road, died on 31 March 1913, aged 77.  His burial (unconsecrated) was in the family grave in the General Cemetery.  He left £31,101.