The Forrest City times., 1897-08-27
Biographical.

Gen Wheeler was a native of Steuben coun- ty, New York where he was born February 2s 1889, and was therefore in his 59th year His great-grandfather was native of England and was among the pioneer settlers of Vermont. James Wheeler, his grandfather, was native Of Vermont. but moved to Pennsylvania where he was married Gen. Wheelers father, Dan- iel w. Wheeler was born in Lycoming county Pennsylvania. in 1894. but his parents Gying when he was very young he was taken to Yates county, New York, as the adopted son of a MT. Sweeney, and there grew to manhood, mar ried and lived in that and tho adjoining county of Steuben till 1850, when he moved to Baraboo Wis, ,.and died a farmer in 1880 In politics he was a democrat Gen. Wheeler's mother (Mil- lison) was the daughter of David Clark a native of Yates county, Kentucky, and died in Steuben county in ls4s. at the age of 40, when Gen. Wheeler was but Q years old A brother Sam uel c. Wheeler is a farmer in Ogle county. Illi- nois. and John G., another brother, served in the civil war on the Federal side and after ward became railroad contractor, Gen. Wheeler grew up in Wisconsin from Il years to 1s years of age. where he served a four-year apprenticeship as a druggist at Baraboo In 1858 he went to New York City and took posi- tion in wholesale dly goods store as a sales man, where he remained till the spring of 1881 when he moved to Battle Creek. Mich. and engaged in the mercantile business. In Sep- tember Of that year he enlisted in the Federal
 
 pany and served throughout the war. He served in Missouri and Arkansas under Gems. Fre- mont, Blunt and Steele. From April 1884, to April, 1866, he served on the stan of Gen. Chas. Morgan as assistant adiutant-general, with the rank of captain. On retiring from the army in the spring of 1866 he settled at Powhatan as assistant assessor of internal revenue, where he remained till October of the same year. when he removed to Searcy in White county still holding the office of assistant assessor of internal revenue. and engaged in business AS broker. In 1868 he was elected as a republican to the first state senate under the reconstruc- tion acts and served till June 1869 resigning to accept the office of assessor of internal rev. enue. It was In August 1868, that an attempt was made to assassinate him while travelling from his home to the state capital by two masked men, who came upon him in a secluded spot and opened fire on h!u with revolvers He escaped by jumping from his buggy and taking to the woods He was appointed quar- termaster-general of the state militia by Gov Clayton in July. 1889, which position he held till January l. 1873 In June, 1889, after receiv- ing the appointment of assessor of internal revenue, he took up his residence at Devalls Blun. where he also edited and published the White River Journal. a strong advocate of republicanism. In 1872, at the republican state convention, he was nominated for state auditor and elected fin November. serving till May, 1874. when, by virtue of the adoption of the new con- stitution, he was legislated out of offce. In April, 1875 he moved to Fort Smith, anc in May of the same year was appointed clerk and com missioner of the United States court for the Western district of Arkansas, under Judge Parker. which position he held up to few months of his death. Early in the 70's he was also appointed clerk Of the United States cir cult court for the Western district, under Judge Caldwell He was married at Little Rock Feb ruary l6 1869 to Miss Mary K. daughter of Col John Love of a Quaker family, of York, Pa. There were four children, Millicut, born at Little Rock July 27 1870; May S., born at De- vall's Blum November F, 1872; Margaret l.. born at Fort Smith January 20. 1880; Stephen, Jr., who, with the mother. survive him. Gen. Wheelerwas a member of the Episcopal church, of which he was vestryman and junior warden. In August, 1877, he was made Mason at Fort Smith and took the Blue Lodge. Chapter Coun- ell and Commandery degrees, and was also a member Of the Knights of Honor of which hs