From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 304-305.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


WILLIAM H. HALLER

William H. Haller, for many years a resident of Wheeling, and an 
honored member of the city council, was born in that city February 
15, 1834.  He is the son of Joseph Haller, a native of Frederick, 
Md., of German descent, and his wife Eliza, a native of Marshall 
county, W. Va., and daughter of Thomas and Caroline Clark.  These 
parents settled at Wheeling about 1813, and there the father was 
engaged as a contractor and builder until his death in 1862.  His 
wife died five years later.  They had thirteen children of whom the 
third is the subject of this sketch.  The latter at the age of 
eighteen began the trades of painting and paperhanging, and he 
followed those ten years afterward in favorable seasons, also being 
employed as steward on Ohio river steamers, among which were, the 
"Air Line," the "Allegheny Clipper," the "Cinderella," and the 
"Talisman."  In the spring of 1861, Mr. Haller enlisted in the Union 
army as a member of Battery D, First West Virginia light artillery, 
and he served until 1862, when on account of physical disability he 
was honorably discharged.  He has since that time been engaged in the 
business of auctioneer and as a real estate dealer.  In these lines 
of business he has gained a wide reputation for energy and integrity.  
Mr. Haller is a member of Sheridan post, G. A. R., and Wheeling 
lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the English 
Lutheran church.  In politics he is an ardent republican, and he 
takes much interest in municipal affairs.  In January, 1879, he was 
elected to the second branch of the city council, and being re-
elected, served four years.  Then in January, 1883, he was elected to 
the first branch, in which he is now serving his second term of four 
years, which when completed will end twelve years of faithful service 
in the council.  During the years of 1887 and 1888 he also held the 
position of market master.  In 1859 Mr. Haller was married to Martha 
A. Williams, a native of Wheeling, and daughter of Benjamin Williams, 
deceased, a venerable steamboat pilot.  Mr. and Mrs. Haller have had 
fourteen children: Benjamin J.; Harry; Theodore, deceased; Florence; 
William Gilbert; Georgiana, deceased; Sue, deceased; George; Jerry 
A.; Jennie, deceased; Lulu, deceased; Allie H., deceased; John A. 
Logan and a daughter that died unnamed. 


(Linda Fluharty)