William E. Marcellus was born and raised a Defiance boy by his parents, Hugh J. and Nancy S. Marcellus. His father was a carpenter, but William took on the occupation of painter and with that, supported his wife and six children.
In the 1860 census, William was a lad of 18, living with his parents and younger siblings, Henry, Peter, and George W. By April 1, 1861, he had enlisted in the 21st Ohio Infantry, Company H for three months. He was discharged on August 6, 1861. Later, on April 1, 1863, he became a part of the 38th O.V.I. where he continued to serve until the end of the war, mustering out on July 12, 1865.
On September 10, 1867 (?), he married Frances Neff. They settled in Defiance, eventually on Washington Street, where William continued to paint houses for a living. They reported on the 1900 census that Frances had had eleven children, but only six were living. From previous censuses, it would seem that Alice, Minnie, Clara, William, Raymond, and Hazel survived. Some of the children settled in Seattle, Washington, and Clara, at least, married there.
Mrs. Marcellus died unexpectedly in March, 1902.
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| Defiance Weekly Express, March 20, 1902 |
In 1903, William went to Seattle and resided there with his daughters for awhile, but eventually returned again to his home in Defiance. He died on July 31, 1917 and is buried at Riverside Cemetery.
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| William E. Marcellus on www.findagrave.com |
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