William W. Skiles

William Woodburn Skiles (December 11, 1849 – January 9, 1904) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio. W.W. Skiles is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby, Ohio. His mausoleum is located off the main road leading from the entrance towards the back of the cemetery, you could easily locate it by find his relatives monument which resembles the Washington Monument. The mausoleum is located next to that monument. The large house that W.W. Skiles built is located at 51 Marvin Ave in Shelby, Ohio and has been turned into apartments. The football field located across the Black Fork from Shelby Middle School is named after him.

Born in Stoughstown, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on December 11, 1849 to John Gettis Skiles (c1820-1891) and Sarah Jane Martin (1823-1913), both of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather was William Martin. Siblings of W. W. Skiles were Mary Caroline Cramer (1847-1920), George M. Skiles (1852-1916), John Clark Skiles (1855-1906), Jennie Smith (1857-1939), Valletta Bell (1861-1945), and Burgetta Crum (1863-1925). Sarah Jane Martin had at least three sisters: Mary Hahn (-1867), Martha E. Mattoon (-1893), and Susan B. Roberts (1831-1910)

Skiles moved with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, in 1854 and attended the district schools in Shelby, Ohio.

He taught school for several years before graduating from Baldwin University in Berea, Ohio, in 1876.

In 1877, Skiles married E. Dora Matson of Shelby, and had two children.

He then studied law, was admitted to the bar on July 24, 1878, and commenced the practice of his profession in Shelby, Ohio in partnership with his brother as Skiles and Skiles.

He was interested as a stockholder and director in various manufacturing enterprises. He served as president of the Citizens Bank from 1893 until his death. He served as president and member of the Shelby City School Board 1885-1904. He served as member of the Republican State central committee 1900-1904.

Skiles was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Congresses and served from March 4, 1901, until his death in Shelby, Ohio, January 9, 1904. He served as chairman of the Committee on Patents (Fifty-eighth Congress).

He was interred in Oakland Cemetery.