William H. H. Polhamus was the son of Albert Polhamus and Lucy E.A. Delano, born August 5, 1843, in Sodus, New York. He had six brothers and five sisters. He served in the Ohio 2nd Volunteer Cavalry from 1861-1865 during the Civil War. He was captured in November 1864 and sent to Libby prison. But as a non-commissioned officer, he was sent a few blocks away to Pemberton prison. After the war, he became an attorney employed by the Soldiers Relief Commission. He set up his law practice in 1887. He was also very active in the Grand Army of the Republic.He married Olive Jane Bauder. The couple had five children. He died on May 22, 1919, at the age of 75 from a skull fracture due to an accidental fall.