Rev. H. L. Wiles, D. D., was born in Frederick Co., Md., July 15th, 1840.  At eighteen, he entered the Freshman class at Wittenberg College, and graduated at twenty-two with the second honors of his class, maintaining a very high degree of scholarship all through his course. He immediately entered the Theological Department from which he graduated in 1864. In the spring of 1864, he received and accepted a call to the Lucas pastorate, in Richland Co., Ohio.  He was offered the presidency of Carthage after President Tressler's death, but declined after initially accepting the post. “Rev. H.L. Wiles has tendered his resignation to the Board of Commissioners. At the time of his election, in May last, the Board believed that immediate and prompt attention to the general and especially to the financial interest of the college were of paramount importance.  But Dr. Wiles regarded himself bound by sacred ties to his congregation at Wooster, Ohio, which he thought he dare not severe [sic] at that time.  At the extra session in October (1880) the Board so emphasized the necessity of his personal presence and services in the college and the churches of its territory that Dr. Wiles was virtually constricted to either resign his position and work at Wooster just before the consummation [of his Presidency] or [sever] his relations to Carthage College.  He chose the latter (Wiles Correspondence, 1881)." In the year 1876 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Faculty and Board of Wittenberg College. During the first year of his ministry he was married to Effie J. Routzahn of Springfield. Two sons were born to them.

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