Nominee: William Truesdail
by Timothy De Capua

Very few persons in our community have heard the name William Truesdail; yet, back in the middle 1800's, he was involved in real estate and banking in Erie. He even uncovered and embezzlement plot of $30,000.00, a great deal of money back then. Perhaps his greatest achievement was to the Union during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865. Truesdail operated a counter-espionage ring of talented men and women (one of whom was renowned American stage actress Pauline Cushman), working out of middle Tennessee, serving the Federal government as successful 'spycatchers' throughout the war. His family still lives in our area, a great-grandson, Merle Truesdail. David Belmondo of WJET-TV has additional information on Truesdail, should you wish to pursue him for the Erie Hall of Fame.

Belmondo was recently provided information from several books on spies from that era, which include documentation regarding Truesdail.

BACK