Bio of WILL, William J.(b.1874), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol II, pg 788, 791
W. J. WILL (William J. Will)
W. J. Will, a member of one of the old and well known families of Minneapolis,
has steadily progressed since his initial effort was made in the field of
business and is now filling the responsible position of manager of the Guardian
Life Insurance Company of America, with offices in the McKnight building of this
city. He was born in Utica, New York, December 6, 1874, of the marriage of
Lambert and Louise (Bray-ton) Will, both of whom were natives of Germany and
came to the United States with their parents as children, making the voyage in a
sailing vessel. In 1880 the father came to Minneapolis and for about twenty-five
years he was connected with business interests of the city as a retail grocer.
He remained a resident of Minneapolis until his demise, which occurred in 1898.
The public schools of this city afforded W. J. Will his educational privileges
and his initial experience along business lines was obtained in his father's
grocery store. Later he became a traveling salesman for the firm of Richheimer &
Company of Chicago, Illinois, wholesale dealers in tea and coffee, and remained
in their employ for four years. In 1902 he accepted a position with the New York
Life Insurance Company, continuing with that corporation until December 1, 1905,
when he joined the Guardian
Life Insurance Company of America, in the capacity of traveling salesman. His
success in that connection led to successive promotions and in 1909 he was made
manager, having since filled that important office. He has amply justified the
trust reposed in him and has materially promoted the interests of the company in
this district, while he also built up a large business for the firm in St. Paul,
where he maintained his headquarters for several years.
On the 8th of October, 1895, Mr. Will was married to Miss Edith K. Osander, a
native of Minneapolis, who was born in a house situated on the corner of
Marquette avenue and Third street. Mr. and Mrs. Will have become the parents of
three children: Leone, Kleber and Lester. Mr. Will is a valued member of the
Civic & Commerce Association and a stalwart champion of everything pertaining to
the welfare and advancement of his city. He is a life member of the Minneapolis
Athletic Club, of which he is also a charter member, and derives keen enjoyment
from a game of baseball, being an enthusiastic advocate of the national sport.
Throughout his career he has closely .applied himself to the work in hand and
has steadily advanced, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and
wider opportunities. He is a man of high personal standing, of marked business
integrity and ability, and his sterling worth of character is recognized by all
with whom he has been associated.