The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-07-27
From the Malone IN. 70 Palladium.
WILLIAM A, WHEELER.
HIS STRUGGLES IN BoYHooD AND HIS sue
CESS AS A MAN.


We can but glance at the main incl
dents of Mr.. Wbeeler's life, and correct
some of the errors in the biographical
notices published In other papers.
William a. Wheeler was born IN this
village in June, 1919 His father, AL
mon Wheeler lawyer Of great prom
ise-died in 1927, when William, his only
son, was years old Small pecanlary
resources were left for the widow and
three children. We pass over, as too
sacred for public consideration, the
manly struggles Of The boy-known so
we'll 60 our citizens, and marked by such
energy, perseverance and pluck as made
success sure in after life-to educate
himself and at the same time provide
for the mother aud sisters left upon his
hands. He came through the ordeal
triumphantly.
He entered the University of Yer
mont at Burlington in 1888. After o
year or two he returned and became a
law student in the office OF the late Asa
Hascall, in this village, to whose law
and and business he ultimately sue
ceeded After admission to the bar, he
soon acquired an enviable position as
keen advocate and wiae counselor, which
brought him clients, friends and COM
petence.
Passing over some minor town offices
held by him, his first public position
was tina of District Attorney of Frank
lin county, appointed in October, 184G,
| by he court, TO fill the vacant place So
long he'd by Mr.. Hascall, who had be-
come incapacitated from prolonged
sickness. In l847. at the special and
first electi n under the constitution Of
1916. Mr.. Wheeler was elected District
Attorney for three years on the same
ticket with j. r. Flanders as County
Judge.
Some of the biographical notices state
that at this election Wheeler was run
aud elected as a Democrat. This is
mistake, The w0 parties agreed upon
one tlcket, making no partisan homina-
tioDs. But to make the matter fair,
| Wheeler, q pronounced Wing, and
Flanders. as pronCnced Democrat,
were selected for those offices and elected
without opposition. It. was then hoped
that the choice of Judges and District
Attorney for the first time left to
popular election in this State-might be
made without drawing party lines. In
the Fall OF 1849, and again in 1850,
Mr.. Wheeler was elected, by the Wings,
Member of Assembly for franklin
county, Both years the county was ex-
tretnely close.
In the campaign CT 1855 Wheeler
warmly supported, on the stump and
otherwise, Fremont and the other Re-
publican candidates, and has always
acted fully with that party since. He
was State Senator IN 1858 ana 1859 and
was the President protein Of that body.
In the Fall of 1860 he was elected to
Congress from ,the Sixteenth District,
then &C mposed Of Clinton, Essex and
franklin counties He was the Preei-
dent of the Constitutional Convention |
for the State Of New York, which met
at lbany, in June, 1867. In the Pa OF f!
186S-Franklin county having become !
associated with st. Lawrance, and the
Two cons iluting the Seventeenth Dis,
trlct-he was elected as its Representa- .
tive, and he has held the place to the
present time.
Nothing demonstrates more cleraly |
the popularity and strength of the man
than the fact, That in this banner Re-
publican dis riot of the State of New
York, the great county Of st. Lawrence,
having three members of Assembly and
Franklin county only one, should have
so cor daily supported d resident of the
latter county. And this, too, while
Franklin, for four years of the time,
was having the State Senator from the
same district; and while, also, from the
days OF her own Silas Wright and Pres
ton Wright, St. Lawrence has been and
is filled with able statesmen fitted tor
Jhe post. Through these successive
elections they waved their own claims
in Mr., Wheeler's favor. And we may
add right here. that before the Cincn-
natl Convention met, assurances OF the
strongest character were given from
that county that Mr.. Wheeler was at T
liberty to hold his present position to an
indefinite future
When the Malone (now nationaD
bank was organized in 1854, Mr.. Wheeler
became It's cashier-leaving the profess
sion OF law tor that purpose--and was !
It's financial officer for fifteen years. He
was connected with our railroad from
Ogbensburgh to Rouse's Point as trustee
ou0 hlol tSdSe 10 Tue Oouuho1ueIs
and as President, or presiding officer, for
some eleven years. His services as
chairman OF important committees III
Congress, and otherwise, and his con-
nectlon with the wheeler compromise, =
that. brought "order out of confusion" IN
Louisiana, are we'll known
Mr.. Wheeer's views are ia full accord |
with the Republican platform adopted
at cincinnati He is sound lawyer,
good financler, and warm patriot.
He loves his party; but he loves bis
country better Snrewd and far-sighted /
as politician, and one of the most
admirable organizers for political
canvass-still party interests with him
are held secondary 10 ,rincinla AS q