William G. Deshler

William Green Deshler (May 24, 1827 – February 16, 1916) was an American financier, real estate developer, and philanthropist.

Biography

Early life Deshler was born in Columbus, Ohio, on May 24, 1827, the son of David Deshler and Betsy Green. After being was educated in private schools in Columbus and Eastern Pennsylvania, he began working at the Clinton Bank. He continued in the banking business, eventually founding the Deshler National Bank. He married his first wife, Olive Clark, in the summer of 1848, although she died 6 months later at the age of 19. The first monument in Green Lawn Cemetery is dedicated to her. William's second wife, Ann Eliza Sinks, gave birth to his first son, John G. Deshler, in December 1852.

Following the outbreak of the American Civil War, Deshler served as an advisor to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, being unable to go to the front and fight due to ill health. Especially notable was his work in acquiring a reduced price for food and lodging for volunteers for the Union army. In 1863 he was a member of the delegation that went to Washington to advocate for the establishment of the armory that would become Fort Hayes.

In 1878, Deshler oversaw the construction of the Deshler Block, two four-story buildings on the corner of Broad and High streets, which housed the Deshler Bank and other businesses. These were built on land which had been acquired by William's father, David Deshler, for $1,000 in 1817. Deshler died on February 16, 1916.