William duncan Arter was born 29 July 1842 at Zanesville, Ohio, the son of John J. and Sarah Jane (Underhill) Arter. He died at Zanesville, Ohio on 14 April 1914. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Zanesville, where his grave stone denotes that he served with Co D, 12th Illinois Calvary.

The following is taken from his service record:

Arter, Wm D, enlisted at Colchester, Illinois Dec 1861, at age 19 years Co D, 12th Illinois, VC; pro Serg; in hospital at Washington DC a short time, 1863 Diarrhea; Captured at Tunstall Station Va 4 May 1863; held in Libby Prison just three hours; vet in February 1864; discharged at New Orleans, La 1 March 1866; battles: Gettysburg, Pa, Mansura, La, and in Virginia: Brandy Station, Leesburg, Harpers Ferry, Bunker Hill, Martinsburg, Dumfries, Stoneman's Raid, Tunstall Station, Kelly's Ford, Beverly Ford. Member of Hazlett Post GAR, Zanesville, Ohio.