A biosketch reports [1]:
William H, son of Frederick and Mary Stout Wise, was born in Mansfield, Ohio May 5, 1845. He was educated in the public school, and before reaching the age of sixteen years, entered a printing office, intending to become a printe.r But five months of his apprenticeship had passed when, filled with enthusiasm and a desire to serve his country as a soldier, he enlisted July 27 1861, being then just past his sixteenth birthday. He joined his townsmen in forming Company E, 32nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then being organized in Mansfield, and after eighteen months service was promoted corporal. From this time his promotions came rapidly, and he passed through the ranks of sergeant, acting sergeant, major first lieutenant, and captain. He was with Sherman from Atlanta to the Sea, and at Savannah, Georgia. The first mail from the north to arrive after the Federals had possession of the city brought him his captain's commission. On June 1, 1865, he was appointed acting assistant inspector general, serving on the staff of Brigadier General BF Potts, holding that rank until the final muster out July 20, 1865. During these years, the boy of sixteen had become a bronzed and seasoned veteran of twenty and had achieved a wonderful record during his four years of following the flag. He won every promotion from corporal to captain by meritorious service, and the boy who awkwardly handled his gun in 1861 came valiantly through the fiery ordeal with shoulder straps and sword. He saw hard service and was engaged in the following battles: Cross Keys, Virginia; Harper's Ferry; Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Big Shanty, Marietta, Atlanta, Georgia; the March to the Sea; Savannah, Georgia; Pocotaligo and Columbia, South Carolina; and the march through the Carolinas, ending with Bentonville, North Carolina.
After the war he returned to Mansfield, but soon afterward located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, continuing there eleven years. In 1876, he moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania, where he entered the employ of a prominent oil broker. In 1877, he became an employee of the banking firm of F.W. Mitchell & Company, and in 1881, was admitted a partner, continuing a member of the firm until their retirement from business in 1894. He has given considerable time to the public service of his adopted city. In 1884, he was elected city treasurer, and in 1886 was reelected, but in 1888, he declined a renomination, his banking business demanding his entire time. In 1896, being then out of business he was again the successful candidate for city treasurer and was reelected serving six years. He declined further election, although strongly urged by members of both parties, and retired to private life. He was ranked a most useful public official and closely safeguarded the interests of the city He is a member of RB Hayes Post Grand Army of the Republic Latonia Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oil City. For twenty years, he has served that church as trustee, and for that entire period has been secretary of the board. In political faith he is a Republican. He married Laura Barr McQuistion, born in Irwin, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, a descendant of John and Elizabeth Bull.
[1] John Woolf Jordan, Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing, 1913), 449, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].