Biographical Sketch of

William O. D. Reilly

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 374 - 375

William O. D. Reilly, who resides, on section 20, in the town of Warren, is a representative 
farmer of Waushara County. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., May 6, 1837, and is of 
Irish descent, both his paternal and maternal grandparents having been natives of the Green 
Isle of Erin. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Reilly, was born in County Cavan and came to 
America shortly after the Revolutionary War, settling in Franklin County, Pa., where he lived 
the quiet life of a farmer. His death occurred in 1817. His maternal grandfather, Constantine 
O'Donnell, was born in Londonderry, and was a Colonel in the British Army. He emigrated to 
America soon after the War of Independence on account of political persecution.

Edmond M. Reilly, father of William, was born in Franklin County, Pa., May 10, 1800, and by 
occupation was a machinist and moulder and builder of stationary engines. He followed his 
trade for many years in Duncanville, Red Bank and Pittsburg, Pa. Emigrating to Wisconsin in 
July, 1850, he purchased 160 acres of virgin soil, located on section 20, Warren Township, 
which was then inhabited by the Indians. He was one of the earliest settlers of that section 
and became one of its well-known citizens. Disposing of his property, he purchased another 
claim of 160 acres of Samuel Shepherd on the same section, and there erected a small cabin, 
which continued to be his home for several years. For more than twelve years he kept a hotel 
for the accommodation of those who were settling up the country. Until the Civil War he was 
a Democrat in politics, but from that time forward supported the Republican party. He was a 
delegate to Sacramento, the former seat of justice, at the time of the organization of 
Waushara County. For twelve years he was the Chairman of the town of Warren, and for sixteen 
years was a member of the town board. His death occurred on the old homestead, April 24, 1879. 
His wife still survives him. They belonged to no church but were always cheerful supporters 
of the cause of Christianity. His wife's maiden name was Rosanna O'Donnell and she was born 
in Franklin County, Pa.

Mr. Reilly and his wife became the parents of fourteen children: William O. D., Mary C., 
Rosa A., Daniel F., Emma J., James E., Martha A., Harriett E. and Alice J. are still living, 
while those deceased are Julia A., Constantine; John D., Margaret and Thomas J. In April, 
1864, John enlisted in Company I, 7th Wisconsin Infantry, and on the 18th of June following, 
was killed at the siege of Petersburg. Daniel F, enlisted in the fall of 1864 as a member of 
Company H, 5th Wisconsin Infantry and served until the close of the war.

The education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the villages of St. Charles, 
Duncanville and Red Bank, Pa. At the age of thirteen he came with his parents to Waushara 
County, and with them made his home, sharing equally their prosperity and adversities, until 
the breaking out of the Civil War. For seven years previous to that struggle he spent the 
winter seasons in the pineries of Wisconsin and during the summer was a pilot on the Wisconsin 
River, having charge of large rafts of logs and lumber fleets. At the beginning of the conflict
between the North and South, inspired with the purity of patriotic principle which impels 
every loyal man to do duty for his country, he marched to the front with the 8th Wisconsin 
Battery. He enlisted Oct. 24, 1861, and was appointed duty sergeant. When the company was 
re-organized, after the battle of Chickamauga, he was appointed orderly sergeant. Mr. Reilly 
participated in the battles of Iuka, Miss., on the 19th and 20th of September, 1862, and on 
the 4th of October, during the battle of Corinth, was severely wounded in the left knee and 
confined in the hospital at Iuka for two months. In June he was attacked with typhoid fever 
and was again sent to the same hospital, where he remained until the 1st of September. Later 
he was removed to the field hospital in Corinth and the night before the siege of that city 
commenced he crept away and in his wounded condition joined his battery about twelve o'clock 
at night and took part in the engagement the next day. At that time he temporarily joined 
Company F, 2nd United States Artillery, and went into camp at Corinth, where he remained until
March 1, 1864, when he joined his former battery in Murfreesboro, Tenn. After the battle of 
Stone River in July, 1865, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of his battery, which position
he held until the close of the war. At the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, he 
did noble service as the commanding officer of his troops. In December, his command was 
transferred to Nashville, where in January, 1861, he with eighty-three others re-enlisted as 
veterans to remain in the service until the close of the war. After a thirty days' furlough, 
which he spent at home, he joined his company at Murfreesboro and took command of Fortress 
Rosencrans, which contained thirty-two guns, there remaining until the surrender of Lee. 
During the engagement at Nashville, he was surrounded by the forces of the rebel general, 
Forest, by whom he was besieged for nearly two weeks. He was honorably discharged in 
Milwaukee, Aug. 10, 1865, having made a brilliant was record. He has in his possession a 
sword which he captured at the battle of Iuka.

Returning to his old home in the town of Warren, Waushara County, Mr. Reilly engaged in the 
lumber business for two years, when he embarked as a hardware dealer in Fall River, Columbia 
County, and after one year of success in that enterprise sold and again engaged in the lumber 
business, to which he devoted his energies for ten years. Since 1878, he has given this entire 
attention to agriculture pursuits, owning 160 acres of land, one-half of which is under a high
state of cultivation.

In 1867, Mr. Reilly led to the marriage alter Miss Melissa C. Benham, a native of Vermont, 
and unto them was born one son, Edmond B. The wife and mother died Aug. 31, 1870, in the 
faith of the Congregationalist Church, of which she was a devoted member. The husband again 
married Dec. 24, 1879, his second union being with Frances C. Allen, of Kalamazoo County, 
Mich. Socially, Mr. Reilly is a member of Berlin Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M., and of J. H. 
Williams Post, No. 4 G. A. R., of Berlin. In politics he is a Republican and has been Town 
Chairman for three years and a member of the Town Board for four years. In January, 1889, he 
was appointed Under Sheriff of Waushara County, and has been Secretary of the Soldiers' 
Relief Commission of his county since its formation. A worthy and respected gentleman, a 
tried and faithful defender of this country and an honored and respected citizen, he well 
deserves a representation in this volume.






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