Necrology of Toledo's Woodlawn Cemetery

William V. McMaken

William V. McMaken was born in New York City on February 11, 1857.[Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1895), p.529]. William, son of Ezekial V. McMaken and Anna C. Smith, arrived in Toledo with his family in 1864.(Ibid). After graduating from high school in 1874 and spending two years at West Point Military Academy, McMaken was employed as a clerk for several years. He was then elected as county recorder in 1886 and was re-elected to that post again in 1889. At the end of his second term as county recorder McMaken entered the real estate business with Charles Fox. In 1893, McMaken once again entered public service when he was elected county treasurer. During his tenure in that position, McMaken also took up the additional duties of city treasurer. Contemporaries of McMaken have described him as "energetic and discriminating, a man of irreproachable honor and unswerving fidelity."(Ibid).

In October 1883, McMaken married Georgie Dorr, daughter of Toledo ex-mayor Charles M. Dorr. McMaken was a prominent member of the Republican party in Toledo, a member of the Sanford L. Collins Lodge No. 396, F. & A. M., the Masons and the Elks.

In addition to his civic and social duties, McMaken also led a distinguished military career. He joined the Ohio National Guard while in his teens and soon rose to the rank of Captain of the Toledo Cadets.W.M. White, ["Military Leader is Stricken," Toledo Times, 13 January 1923]. In 1898, McMaken's unit, the Sixth Ohio Infantry was called to duty in Cuba.(Ibid). Also at this time McMaken was promoted to the rank of Colonel and given command of the unit.(Ibid). Following the end of the conflict, McMaken was appointed as Governor General of Cienfuegos, Cuba.(Ibid). Following his return to Toledo, McMaken was made a Brigadier General in the Ohio National Guard.Ibid. He held this position until 1918 when, after serving his country once again in World War I, he retired from the military due to physical disabilities.(Ibid). McMaken died on January 12, 1923 of heart disease in his home at 2203 Maplewood Avenue.(Ibid).