Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-21
Celebrates 8oth Birthday.

Uncle A. B. Wheeless will be the
principal actor in celebration of
unusual interest tomorrow, the date
being his S0th birthday anniversary.
In commemoration OF the event Mr..
and Mrs. Wheeless have invited
number Of friends to enjoy the day
with them, besides all Of the mem
bers of the family who are able to be
here.
Mr.. Wheeless is one Of the old resi-
dents Of Delaware county, coming
here from southern Illinois on April
&c, 1851. He recalls the fact that it
showed all the day of his entry into
Iowa. At that time there was no
railroad line in the state, and what
is now the Illinois Central running
through this county came no farther
west than Warren, Ill. He first set
tied in North Fork township, near
what's now Centenary creamery,
filing on government land. He lived
on and improved the farm until his
removal to Hopkinton about 20 years
ago. Mr.. Wheeless was counted one
of the forceful citizens of the county
in his younger days and took a
prominent part in all matters of pub
lie concern in his township. He
helped to organize the first N. L.
society at Plum Creek, and later the
M. q. church at Rockville, which
was then Aourishing village on the
old State Road with several stores, a
mill and three taverns. 1t was one
Of the favorite stopping places in the
early days when all travel and trans
portation was made overland by
team. He served for many years as
justice Of the peace in North Fork,
performing the duties of the office
so satisfactorily and fairly that he
was continued term after term with
out interruption. After his removal
to Hopkinton he served ON the school
board and council with credit.
Mr.. Wheeless is veteran Of the
Mexican war, and one of two veter-
ans Of that war now living in Della
ware county, the other being Robert
Hunter, of Greeley, also far advanced
in years. MIR. Wheeless enlisted il
Co. A, Second Illinois, ard served
twelve months. Col. Bissell, after
wards governor of Illinois, comman-
ed the regiment, and Capt. Coffee
was in command OF the company
He took part in the battle Of Buen;
Vista at the routing Of the troops OF
Santa Anna, and wildly recalls the
stirring scenes and slaughter Of tina
memorable day Forty members Of
Company A went into the battle and
at its conclusion twenty-three Of the
number were killed or wounded,
showing that they were in the thick
est Of the fight. BY a fortunate Gil.
cumstance Mr.. Wheeless escaped
without an accident though an uncle
and cousin were killed by his side
on the field. At the present time
there is only one other member o
the company living-T. G. West
whose home is in Florida-and the
two old comrades keep i'll toucl
with each other by means of letters
Mr.. Wheeless was born in Elkton
Illinois, February lG, 1926. Wa
married in 1913 to Miss Sarah A
Barnes, who died in 1872. lie was
married again in 1874 to Mrs. Ach
sab Place, who is living, and vii
enjoy the celebration tomorrow. 0
his children, there are now livin,
Mrs. II. w. Reed, of Albion, Neb
Steven A., who lives in Portland
Ore, Uriah T., Henry H., Mrs. W
G. Lux, Perry L. and Frank. VIII
are residents Of Hopkinton and vicin
ity. The two latter are children o
the second marriage.
In politics Mr. Wheeless Isl an old
line democrat, but his hosts of friend
in these parts do not lay it up agains
him. AS man and citizen he ha
been above reproach and he and his
estimable wife enjoy a love ane
friendship that is community wide
Both are conscientious members o
the NJ. E. church Of this city, o
which society they have been pionee
members, always working with rel
gious fervor for the advanc .ment o
their faith and the good of the com
munity in which they have beel
factors for SO many years. Mr.
Wheeless is also one of the charte
,,,n,,, hora of tho Maronio cd ca a