Capt. Clifton W. Wiles
Capt. Clifton W. Wiles, superintendent and general manager for the Delaware Water Company, a Civil War veteran, and one of the leading citizens of Delaware County, was born at Freetown, Cortland County, New York, March 26, 1843, son of Peter and Nancy (Hall) Wiles. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany who came to this country about the year 1800, settling in Onondaga County, New York.
Peter Wiles was born in Onondaga County, New York, May 17, 1814, and spent his industrial years in farming and dairying, giving particular attention to the latter industry. During the greater part of his life he was a resident of Cortland County, and he died June 6. 1862, at the age of 48 years. He was a man of considerable musical ability, being leader of a choir and a good performer on the piano, organ, and violin. His wife Nancy was a daughter of Caleb Hall, of Herkimer County, New York, and was born in 1817, and died April 10, 1878. They were the parents of three children, namely: Clifton W., whose name appears at the head of this article; Emma, who married John Lennon, and is now deceased with her husband; and Ella, also deceased, who was the wife William D. Tuttle, an attorney of Cortland County, New York. Mrs. Peter Wiles, mother of the above mentioned children, died about 1876 or 1877, aged 63 years.
The early life of Clifton W. Wiles was that of a farmer's boy, with the Old Red School House to direct his steps in the path oi knowledge. The Civil War interrupted for a time his progress in the ordinary activities of life, and he enlisted, September 20, 1862, in Company L, Tenth New York Cavalry, and was made trumpeter of his company. The first battle in which he participated was that of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 12-13, 1862, he was detailed as private orderly for General David H. Russell, who commanded a brigade in the Fifth Corps, and who was killed in the battle of Winchester; and remained with him during the battle and for some time after.
In January, 1863, his regiment was assigned to the brigade commanded by General Kilpatrick in the division commanded by General D. McM. Gregg of the Cavalry Corps. This command was actively engaged in the Stoneman raid and the battle of Chancellorsville, followed by the cavalry battles of Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville. At the battle of Gettysburg, that soon followed, his regiment was engaged on July 2d with Johnson's Confederate division on the Hanover Road, and again on the 3d with Smart's cavalry on the Rummell farm. The men of his regiment were the first Union troops to enter the city after the battle, driving out the rear guard of the enemy.
Following was the battle of Mine Run and several minor engagements.
In the spring of 1864 the cavalry under Sheridan accompanied and co-operated with Grant in the battles of the Wilderness and subsequent engagements, including the raid and battle of Trevillion Station, and the Richmond raid and the battle of Haws Shops, finally arriving, July 2d. with Grant's army in front of Petersburg.
From this time to April 9, 1865, the regiment was constantly engaged in picket duty, and raids in the enemy's country.
On the opening of the spring campaign, March 28, 1865, Mr. Wiles was assigned to duty as aide-de-camp to General Henry F. Davies, commanding the First Brigade, Second Division of the Cavalry Corps, and participated in the battles oi Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Jettersville, Sailor's Creek, Farmville, and Appomattox, and at the surrender of Lee's army. He lost two horses killed under him—one at Sulphur Springs, Virginia, October 12, 1863, and one at Trevillion Station, June 11, 1864; and was injured by a shell at Middleburg, June 19, 1863. His regiment was finally discharged in August, 1865. During his entire service of nearly three years, he was never in a hospital, away from his regiment, nor absent a single day from duty, except to obtain horses. On account of services rendered he was recommended for a commission, but not mustered on account of the close of the war.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Wiles took up and completed his school work at the New York Central College. After serving for several years in construction and engineering work pertaining to waterworks supply, he came to Delaware, Ohio, in April, 1892, as superintendent and general manager of the Delaware Water Company, and has been constantly engaged in this work to the present time. He has for many years been a member of the American Water Works Association, and is a past president of the Central States Water Works Association. He has been called upon on several occasions to inspect and report upon the conditions and value of water works plants in other cities.
In 1902 he was commissioned as honorary aide on the staff of Governor Aaron T. Bliss of .Michigan (who was a comrade in his regiment), with the rank of Colonel. He has on several occasions served as aide-de-camp on the staff of the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, with the rank of Colonel. He is now an officer and past commander of the local Grand Army post, and colonel of Encampment No. 107, Union Veteran Legion.
In 1894 he was commissioned by Governor McKinley as battalion adjutant in the fourteenth Ohio National Guard, and in 1897; by Governor Bushnell as captain and inspector of rifle practice, in the same regiment, which rank he held on the opening of the Spanish-American War, and with his regiment prepared for active service at Camp Bushnell; but on account of the rank he held he was not allowed to muster into the United States service, but was appointed provost-marshal of Camp Bushnell, in which position he served until the camp was broken up.
He was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Delaware City Library by Mayor H. H. Beecher, and is secretary of the Commercial Club of this city.
Captain Wiles married Anna, daughter of Joseph Bates, of Cortland. New York. February 17, 1869, and he and his wife are the parents of two children—Nellie, who is residing at home, and Arthur, a mechanical and electrical engineer, who graduated in the class of '05 at the Case School of Applied Science. Cleveland, Ohio.
Colonel Wiles is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., having been demitted to this lodge from Marathon Lodge, No. 438, of Cortland County, New York, where he was made a Mason in 1866. He also belonged to the Chapter and Commandery at Cortland. New York, and to Cortland Commandery No. 50, joining the chapter here about the same time that he was transferred by demit. His Masonic affiliations further include membership in Alladin Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Columbus. He is a member of George B. Torrence Post, G. A. R.. and is past commander of Grover Post of Cortland, New York, and past commander of the post in Delaware. He has also been colonel of the Union Veteran Legion in Delaware for five or six years. Colonel Wiles is a Republican in his political views. He takes a good citizen's interest in he progress of the community, and is esteemed and respected wherever known.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908