Cloud, William F., soldier, was born near Columbus, Ohio, March 23, 1825. His military history began when he enlisted at Columbus in 1846, in a company which became a part of the Second Ohio infantry in the war with Mexico. He was promoted to first sergeant and took an active part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. At the close of the war he was elected captain of the Columbus Videttes, of the Ohio volunteer militia, but resigned in 1859, when he removed to Michigan. After a short residence in that state he removed to Lawrence, Kan., but later went to Emporia. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Second Kansas infantry and participated in the hardest engagements of the Southwest, especially distinguishing himself at Wilson's creek, Mo. At the expiration of his first enlistment he assisted in organizing the Second Kansas cavalry and was commissioned colonel of the regiment, which took part in the engagements of the Army of the Frontier in Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian Territory. Later he was transferred to the Fifteenth Kansas cavalry and served in the campaigns against the Indians in western Kansas and the Indian Territory. His most conspicuous act of bravery was in 1862, when with 500 men he attacked an enemy of 5,000 at Tallequah, rescued the Indian agent and saved the money held for payment of the annuities of the Indian tribes. The legislature of Kansas changed the name of Shirley county to Cloud in his honor. Soon after the close of the war he located in Carthage, Mo., but about 1889 removed to Kansas City, where he resided until his death on March 4, 1905. Col. Cloud was an eloquent public speaker and fluent writer, one of his best works being a "History of Mexico from Cortez to Diaz."