Mr. Cutter was born in Brimfield Township, this county, June 11, 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Metcalf) Cutter, who came to this county at an early day. The father secured a tract of land and engaged in farming. William remained under the home roof until a youth of eighteen years, then went to Delphos, Ohio, where he lived with an uncle five years. In the meantime he completed his education, and upon the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted, in 1861, in Company C, Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, for three years, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in many of the important battles which followed, being in the first and second engagement at Bull run, and subsequently was transferred to Sherman’s army, and went through the Atlanta campaign and on the famous march to the sea. At Atlanta he was slightly wounded by the bursting of a shell, which struck him in the forehead. Aside from this he escaped injury, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment shortly before the close of the war.

Upon leaving the army Mr. Cutter returned to his home in this county, and occupied himself the following winter as a teacher. Wishing, however, to gain further knowledge he, in 1865, attended a course in the commercial college at Peoria, from which he was duly graduated. Thereafter for six months he was occupied as clerk for George B. McClellan, and afterward by his successors, Auer & White, in the clothing business. Upon the dissolution of this firm he engaged in the grocery business with Philip Auer, under the firm name of Auer & Cutter, on South Washington Street, which was then the business center of the city. Five years later Mr. Wrigley purchased the interest of Mr. Auer, and the firm assumed its present style. The wholesale department was added in 1880, and the firm enjoys the largest retail trade in the city, carrying probably twice the amount of stock of any other grocery in the city, and employing nine men besides the manager. Mr. Cutter gives his entire attention to his business, which accounts for its phenomenal success.

For probably a quarter of a century Mr. Cutter has been connected with Calvary Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Deacon and one of its chief pillars. He also officiates as Trustee, which office he has held since its organization, in which he was largely instrumental. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and several beneficiary associations.

A quiet wedding occurred October 20, 1869, at the bride’s home in Trivoli, the contracting parties being William Cutter and Miss Jennie C., daughter of William Wrigley. Mrs. Cutter was born July 12, 1848, in Trivoli Township, and from her youth was given the advantages suited to her position in life. She remained with her parents until her marriage, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of five children—Anna, Charles, May, William W. and Weston. The latter was named for the Rev. J. Weston, pastor of the church spoken of above.

The father of our subject was Isaac Cutter, a native of New York State, who went to Ohio when a young man and was there married to Miss Sarah Metcalf. In the latter part of the ‘30s he came to this county, was in business for a time, and then settled on a farm near Brimfield. In due time he was appointed postmaster of the place, which office he held until the time of his death, about 1847; the mother died while her son William was languishing in Libby Prison. He was captured by the enemy at Winchester, Va., and remained a prisoner of war for five and one-half months. This was the hardest part of his army experience. He attended upon Chaplain McCabe, who was ill, and then was taken down with the small pox and paroled, which saved his life. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 923 Munson Street, in the midst of ample grounds, forming a charming home, which has been built up solely by the industry and taste of its present proprietor. Mr. Cutter has been a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association since its organization, and is highly respected both in business and social circles.

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