Col. William L. Marlin. One of the families which traces its ancestry back to the pioneer settlers of the vicinity of Covington is that bearing the name of Marlin, members of which have been prominent in professional and public life, in agriculture and merchandise, in military and civic affairs. A worthy representative of this family is found in Col. William L. Marlin, of Covington, a veteran of the World war in which he established a record for distinguished service that brought him praise and commendation from all sides. Colonel Marlin was born at Covington October 17, 1882, a son of A. L. and Emma F. (Bowdle) Marlin. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin and was founded early in the State of Pennsylvania, whence came Joseph Marlin, the grandfather of Colonel Marlin, to become a pioneer resident in the vicinity of Covington. The Bowdle family also furnished pioneers to the State of Ohio, who settled near Lima and Chillicothe. A. L. Marlin was a school teacher throughout his life and a man who was held in respect and esteem. There were only two children in his family: Harley, a theatrical man, and William L. The latter received his education in the public schools of Eureka, Kans., to which community his parents had removed when he was a child, but in 1898 returned to Ohio, where he completed his schooling. As a young man he learned the trade of printer and subsequently became editor and owner of the Covington Tribune-Gazette. After joining the National Guard, Colonel Marlin went to California for a time, but later returned to Ohio and in 1911 was made captain. In 1917 he was promoted to major of the Third Battalion, Third Ohio Infantry try, and became a deep student, of military tactics. When the Mexican trouble resented itself as a serious problem, Major Marlin's command was hastened to the border, where he saw some active service, and this prepared him in part for the work that lay in front of his contingent overseas. When he went to France it was with the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Infantry, in the Thirty-seventh division. For distinguished service he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, November 1, 1918. He commanded troops at St. Michael, Oisne, in the Belgium campaign, and during the Lys-Escaut campaign his conduct elicited the praise of foreign high officers directing the drive across the Escaut river. He was chosen to command the American troops escorting the king and queen of Belgium on their official re entry into Brussels. A complete record of the military history of Colonel Marlin will be found in the history of Miami county, elsewhere in this work. Colonel Marlin married Ella, daughter of James Franklin and Lettie Ellen (Beatty) Stevens, and to this union there have been born three children, of whom two are living: Leona Marie and Robert F. Lincoln, and one son, Loyd Richard, died, age eighteen, March 23, 1919. Colonel Marlin helped organize the American Legion and was an officer in the organization. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Red Men, and attends the Presbyterian church.