When Christy was 14 years old his family moved from Trumbull County, Ohio to Osceola, Iowa. At the age of 20 he enlisted as a private with Company I of the 15th Iowa Infantry. In 1863 he re-enlisted with Company D of the 2nd Iowa Veteran Infantry. According to an obituary which appeared in the Annals of Iowa he was later promoted to second lieutenant with Company D of the 8th Iowa Cavalry. After the war he attended business college and returned to Osceola. In 1872 he was elected treasurer of the state. Following this service he served as cashier of the Merchants National Bank of Des Moines, a position he held for a year and a half before poor health compelled him to resign and move to Arizona.
From the description of William Christy Civil War diary, 1864 April 29-November 11. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 165285968
