Short Biography of Wilbur F. Stanley

Wilbur F. Stanley, an enterprising and highly esteemed citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, who has been engaged in railroad contracting for some years, was born in Summit County, Ohio February 19, 1843.

W. F. Stanley is the youngest of twelve children, eight of whom are still living. He remained on his father's farm until he was 18, receiving his education in the schools of his native state. In 1861, his restless and ambitious nature led him to go West, and in the pineries of Wisconsin he was engaged in the lumber business two years. Coming back to Ohio, he turned his attention to the railroad business. He was division master on the track of the Lake Shore railroad until 1871, with the exception of some time spent in the army. From 1871 up to the present time, he has been engaged in contracting, having built about 500 miles of road. In March 1865, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until November of that year, participating in several skirmishes, but most of the time being on guard duty. Mr. Stanley has been identified with Conneaut since February 1, 1863. He built the Stanley Block in this city in 1889 - '90. He is a stockholder in the Conneaut Mutual Loan Association. He takes an active interest in the various public enterprises of the city; and, indeed, any movement which has for its object the advancement of the best interests of Conneaut is sure to find him a hearty supporter.

Mr. Stanley was married May 9, 1871 to Miss Alice Gould, daughter of Lorin and Mary (Silverthorne) Gould of Conneaut. Her father died in 1889, at the age of eighty years and her mother is still living, now seventy-one.

Mr. Stanley has an active interest in social organizations. He is a member of the Masonic order, of which he is Past Master of Evergreen Lodge, No. 222; Past High Priest of Conneaut Chapter, No. 70; member of the Cache Commandery, No. 27; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a comrade of Custer Post, No. 9, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.

Source: " Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake" ¹⁵²⁸