William Augustine Ogden was born on October 10, 1841, in Franklin County, Ohio.

[1] At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the 13th Indiana Infantry Regiment.

[2] After the war, Ogden returned to Indiana and learned music under the tutelage of Lowell Mason, Thomas Hastings, E. E. Bailey and B. F.

[1] Ogden taught in different states, including a normal school in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

He was director of music for six years at the Iowa State Normal School.