In 1834, William was born in Clinton Co., Ohio.  He moved to Page Co., Iowa in 1859 where he pursued farming and stock raising.  Approximately three years later, August 22, 1862, William enlisted in Company I, 39th Iowa Volunteers Infantry and served throughout the Civil War which he participated in many major battles and skirmishes of the war and was with General Sherman on his march to the sea .  He was discharged on June 5, 1865.