Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Filler, William B.    
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WILLIAM B. FILLER, Postmaster at Rainsburg, in Colerain 
township, Pa., is a native of this place.  He was born on 
September 15, 1845, a son of Joshua and Rebecca (Pickeran) 
Filler.  His parents were both born and brought up in 
Colerain township.  His paternal grandfather, Conrad Filler, 
was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, whence he came to 
Pennsylvania at an early day, and as a pioneer of this part 
of Bedford County cleared a tract of land, thus ably 
assisting in transforming it into a fine agricultural 
region.
  Joshua Filler was a man of enterprise and sagacity.  
Although he made farming his chief occupation throughout his 
life, which was brought to a close on May 11, 1866, he was 
for many years proprietor of a hotel in Rainsburg, and was 
known by the traveling public as a genial and generous host, 
who looked well after the comfort of his guests.  He was a 
Democrat in politics, but never took any active part in 
public matters.  Of his children the following survive: John 
H., of West Virginia; Mrs. Sophia Williams, of Cumberland, 
Md.; Ellen C., wife of W. P. Fowler, of Washington, D.C.; 
William B., the special subject of this sketch; Daniel, of 
Rainsburg; and Charlotte, wife of William A. Cessna, also of 
Rainsburg, Pa.
  William B. Filler was educated in Rainsburg, where he 
attended first the common schools and later the Allegheny 
Seminary, then a somewhat noted institution of learning.  
While yet a lad, in the fall of 1861, he enlisted in Company 
D, One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 
which was attached to the Army of the Potomac.  He gallantly 
participated in the siege of Yorktown, at the battles of 
Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, and in the seven day's fight 
during McClellan's retreat to the James River.  In July, 
1863, he joined the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and 
as Sergeant of Company I participated in the engagements of 
Harper's Ferry, Shepherdstown, Berryville, Mount Jackson, 
Upperville, and Snicker's Gap.  He fought at Winchester, 
Va., on September 19, 1864, and later at Strawsburg.  At 
Brown's Gap, September 26, 1864, he was engaged in a 
skirmish with the rebels, and having been captured by the 
enemy was subsequently confined in Libby Prison, at Belle 
Island, and in Salisbury Prison.  From the latter place he 
was returned to Richmond, and was released on parole March 
10, 1865, and at once returned to Rainsburg, and received 
his discharge from the service at Harrisburg the following 
August.  Soon after his return Mr. Filler learned the 
carpenter's trade, which he has since followed as a 
contractor in this vicinity, where he has a deservedly high 
reputation for superior workmanship.  One of the leading 
members of the Republican ranks, he has been prominent in 
public affairs, and has served in many offices of trust in 
the borough of Rainsburg, having been a member of the School 
Board, a Burgess, and a member of the Council.  In June, 
1897, he was appointed to his present position as 
Postmaster.  Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows 
Lodge at Rainsburg; of the Major Watson Post, G.A.R., of 
Bedford, Pa.; and of the Rainsburg Lodge, P.O.S. of A.
  On February 2, 1870, Mr. Filler married Mary V. Mower, of 
Rainsburg.  They are the parents of nine living children, 
namely: George S., Francis M., Anna R., Jennie A., Harry K., 
Carrie R., Grace G., Nellie M., and Mary M.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa