William Irvin Wagner

William Irvin Wagner

William Irvin Wagner was born January 28, 1892 in Eastern Pennsylvania to Daniel Riley and Alice Sovilla (Fetterolf) Wagner.  It is not currently known when or why William came to the Wayne county area, however we do know William Irvin married his wife Ella Frances (Cameron) Wagner on November 22, 1916, and the 1920 census shows William’s family living in Prairie, Holmes County, Ohio.

William and Ella were sharecroppers for many years, often moving between Holmes and Wayne Counties.  During the depression William and Ella would take in boarders who would who would work on the local farms during the day.  Eventually they had enough money to purchase their own farm near Dalton, Ohio.  William and Ella worked this farm until 1958, when a group of twelve partners bought 97 acres from William and converted the property to what is currently Lake Harmony, which includes a 35 acre lake and nearly 100 homes which includes the original farm house.

The subject and his wife Ella had four children who were born, raised and remained in the Wayne County area.  Kenneth was the first of three sons born in 1917.  Ruth, born July 12, 1919 would marry Dwight Burkey.  Clayton Wagner was born March 1, 1922 was married to Ruth Bricker.  David Roy was born November 29, 1925 and later married Mercedes Kramer.  All three sons were enlisted and served during World War II.

William Irvin Wagner passed away March 22, 1966 in Dalton, Ohio. William is buried next to his wife in Crown Hill Cemetery, Orrville, Ohio.