My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM WILHELM, miner, and justice of the peace, post office Oakdale Station, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1832, a son of Powell and Caroline (Spemler) Wilhelm, who were parents of seven children. In 1853 William, in company with his father, left his native land, and, coming to America, located in Luzerne county, Pa., for a short time, but later moved to Pittsburgh. Powell Wilhelm was a practical coal miner, having been a coal-operator in Germany. Mrs. Wilhelm, with the other children, joined her husband at Pittsburgh about a year after the latter’s settlement there. Powell died in 1881, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife at the age of seventy-eight. William, the eldest son of this family, was educated at the public schools and at the high-school of his native country. He has worked at glass-manufacturing and at coal-operating all his life. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 7th P. V., in the three-months service, but re-enlisted in August of the same year, this time in the 5th P. C., and served for three years and ten months. He was promoted to the lieutenancy of the regiment and discharged in 1864. Mr. Wilhelm was married, in 1858, to Bertha, daughter of Rev. Henry Roessing, also of Germany. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living: Anna (Mrs. Burns), Caroline, Helena, Lina and Albright Charles. Mr. Wilhelm was elected justice of the peace in 1877; later was re-elected and still fills that position. He is a Freemason, a grand master in the I. O. O. F., a member of the I. O. R. M., also of the G. A. R. and of the U. V. L. He is a republican.