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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 479-480]

    W. L. OAKES, a leading and progressive farmer of Silver Township,
    was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1840.  He is
    a son of THOMAS and ELEVIA (SECHLER) OAKES, also natives of the
    State of Pennsylvania.  In 1849 his parents removed to Ogle County,
    Illinois, being among the earliest settlers there.  W. L. passed
    his youth on the farm, attending the district schools during the
    winter season, and occupying himself with the duties that usually
    fall to the lot of a farmer's son during the remainder of the year.
    April 3, 1862, when there was a call for 200,000 men to rally to
    the defense of this nation, W. L. OAKES enlisted in the Twelfth
    Illinois Cavalry, Company A.  In the battle of Dartsville he was
    severely injured by a horse falling upon him and breaking his
    breast-bone; he was confined to the hospital two months. He after-
    ward participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Antietam,
    Occoquan, Virginia, Stoneman Raid, Chancellorsville, Somerville,
    Gettsyburg, and Boonsborough, Maryland.  He followed General LEE
    on his retreat to Somerville in October, 1863.  His company was
    escort to General SLOCUM four months, and to Brigadier-General
    BUFORD six months.  He was with General BANKS on the Red River
    expedition, and afterward was confined to the hospital for some
    time.  He was honorably discharged April 3, 1865, at Memphis,
    Tennessee, and then returned to Ogle County, Illinois.  Mr. OAKES
    was married October 22, 1868, to Miss EMMA SECHLER, a daughter of
    WILLIAM and ANNA (EYSTER) SECHLER, residents of Rock Rapids, Iowa.
    Mr. OAKES lived in Ogle County until 1879, when he removed to Mar-
    shall County, Kansas; he resided there for years, and then removed
    to Fayette County, Iowa.  In 1886 he came to Cherokee County, and
    bought 160 acres of land as fine as lies in the county; it is well
    watered by Silver Creek, and is one of the best stock farms in the
    township; 110 acres have been placed under cultivation, and the
    remainder is in pasture.  Mr. and Mrs. OAKES are the parents of
    four children: LILLIE MAY, CARRIE B., CHARLES E. and FRANK G. In
    political thought and action Mr. OAKES is Democratic.  He is a mem-
    ber of the General Geddes Post, No. 423, G.A.R., at Holstein, Iowa.
    He is a member of Alpine Lodge, No. 471, A.F. & A.M.  He is a man
    doing his part to advance the standing of his community, and has
    won the regard of his neighbors and acquaintances since living in
    Cherokee County.


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