He was 18 years old when he enlisted (2, 6, 7). He was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania (2, 6).
He was a farmer when he was enlisted (2, 6).
He was 5 feet 3-3/4 inches tall, had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and brown hair (2, 6).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 21 August 1861 (1, 2, 6, 7, 8). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Lentz (6, 7). He was mustered in at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a private in company E by Colonel Reiff (2, 6, 7).
He was transferred on 3 January 1862 to company K, by regimental order, because company E was over the maximum number (1, 2, 3, 7).
He was discharged at Frederick, Maryland, on 5 October 1862 or 6 January 1863 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1 [5 Oct 62], 5 [6 Jan 63], 7 [5 Oct 63], 8 [5 Oct 62]).
He applied successfully from New Jersey for a pension on 19 April 1882 (4, 8).
On 1 August 1907, he again applied for a pension (8).
He died in 1912 (8).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 descriptive book, company E, entry 81 (William Wiley)
3 register of men transferred, company E, entry 2
4 Veterans administration. Pension index, by name. (Searched 21 Jan 2001, at <www.ancestry.com>.) (William Wiley)
5 company K, register of men discharged, #12 (William Wiley)
6 company K, descriptive roll, entry 91 (William Wiley)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 11 May 2005 (William Wiley)
8 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (William Wiley)