Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 486-487] WILLIAM CLARK MARSH, Postmaster of Aurelia, was born in Clinton County, New York, near Plattsburgh, March 31, 1841, and is the fourth of six children of LYMAN and POLLY (COMSTOCK) MARSH, both of whom were born in Massachusetts, their ancestors being among the Pilgrim Fathers. In 1849 the family removed to Wisconsin, and the father entered land in Fond du Lac County, where he re- sided a number of years. LYMAN MARSH died in 1884, in Douglas County, Dakota, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife still lives, making her home in Douglas County, Dakota. WILLIAM C. MARSH attended the district school, and afterward entered the Lawrence University at Appleton, intending to finish the course; but at the end of the second term he laid down his Euclid and Lindley Murray to answer his country's call. August 15, 1862, he enlisted at Ripon, in Company B, Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and September 25 he was sworn in at Oshkosh under Colonel HOWE, and joined SHERMAN'S forces at Memphis, Tennessee. In a few weeks he was attacked with typhoid-pneumonia, and was placed in a hospital at Oxford, Mississippi, and soon after was transferred to the Sixth Street Hospital at Keokuk, where he arrived January 6; he suffered a relapse, and February 22, 1863, he was honorably discharged without having participated in any battle. He returned to his home, and the following fall entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College, taking a complete course, and receiving a diploma upon graduation. Having a strong desire to return to the scenes of war, he hired to the Government as a laborer, but became forage clerk to the Assistant Quartermaster, W. W. WETHEREL, of Sherman's Army. Returning home in 1864, he obtained an appointment as clerk in commissary to a construction corps in North Carolina. At the close of hostilities he returned to Wisconsin, and engaged in farming until 1875, teaching during the winter seasons. In October, 1875, Mr. MARSH came to Iowa and embarked in the grain and coal business at Aurelia, Cherokee County, continuing one winter. In 1876 he erected the first hotel and for two years was a popular host. Then for one year he was employed in the store of WHARTON & REYNOLDS, and WHARTON & BURNSKILL. For two years, dating from 1882, he was buying grain at Meriden, Iowa, with J. W. BURNSKILL. Since 1884 he has resided in Aurelia, and has devoted the most of his time to the grain trade. In 1886, assisted by J. T. McCALL and ALEX. FRASER, he opened a bank at Holstein, Ida County, Iowa, acting as cashier until the business was sold six months later. He was recently appointed postmaster, his commission bearing the date May 23, 1889. Mr. MARSH has been a popular man, and has been of great benefit to his county. He was a member of the Board of County Supervisors, and during his term the Poor Farm was purchased and improved. He has also served as township clerk and treasurer, and a large part of the time he has resided in Aurelia has been a member of the School Board. Mr. MARSH was married March 15, 1871, in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, to Miss FRANCES HUBBARD, a native of the State of New York. The family consists of EDITH LUELLA, WINIFRED, WILLIAM C. and ETHEL. Mr. MARSH is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M.; of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M., and of Crusade Commandery, No. 39 K.T. ===========================================================================