William Van Pelt Detlor was born about 1800 in New York State to George Detlor and Lettie Van Pelt.

Like his father, William was a shoemaker.  They immigrated to Canada between 1800 and 1812.  William married Elizabeth File and had five children.

William and his brother-in-law,  Benjamin File, are considered the founders of the town of Newburgh, Ontario.

After Elizabeth died in 1862, William remarried to a 25 year old Electa Jane Asselstine. when he was 65 years old.  They had no children.  Electa died in 1871.  William died in 1887.