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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 279
E. J. MARVEL, the efficient superintendent of the soda mill of the Platteville Powder Co., was born in Cynthiana, Ind., in 1837, a son of George and Ruth (JORDAN) MARVEL, also natives of the Hoosier State, who in 1840 moved to Illinois, where the remainder of their lives were passed. By occupation the father was a farmer. Three of his sons were among the defenders of the Union during the Civil war - James A., John and E. J. James A. enlisted in Illinois, in 1862, in the 5th Illinois Cavalry, and was discharged for disability in 1864; he died in Illinois in 1872. John was also a member of an Illinois regiment, in the 100-day service; he is now living at Mt. Erie, Wayne county, that State.
The boyhood and youth of E. J. MARVEL were passed in Illinois, and in the schools of that State he acquired his education. On first coming to Grant county, Wis., in 1857, he was employed at farm labor, his home being in Paris. At Platteville, in August, 1862, he enlisted in the 25th Wis. V.I., and was mustered in at La Crosse, Wis., his regiment being assigned to Sherman's command. He was with that general on the march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Missionary Ridge and Decatur, Ga.; the siege of Atlanta; and in the Carolina campaign, including the battle of Bentonville, the last engagement of the war. Mr. MARVEL took part in the grand review at Washington, D.C., and was honorably discharged in that city June 7, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Paris, Wis. The following year he purchased a flouring mill at that place, which he operated until coming to Platteville, in 1882, to accept his present responsible position with the Platteville Powder Co.
In Grant county Mr. MARVEL was married, in 1858, to Miss Elizabeth C. WILSON, who died in 1865 leaving one son, George W., now a merchant of Ashton, Neb. For his second wife our subject wedded, in 1867, Miss Emma VANNATTA, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (KISPAUGH) VANNATTA, who are mentioned more fully in the sketch of S. B. VANNATTA elsewhere. By this union was also born one son, Walter E., who is married and resides in Clinton, Ill., filling a responsible railroad position.
As a Republican Mr. MARVEL takes quite an active interest in political affairs. He is a prominent member of the W. T. Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R., in which he has served as commander and junior and senior warden, and is also connected with Melody Lodge, No. 2, F. & A.M.; Washington Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M.; and the Eastern Star Chapter. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational Church at Platteville and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck