The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-04-20
DEATH CLAIMS MRS. NATHANIEL WHEELER Widow of Founder of
 Wheeler 6 Wilson Mfg. Company
 GAVE FREELY TO NEEDY Paid Taxes on More Than $5OO,OOO of Real Estate
 Beautiful Life at End
GAVE FREELY TO NEEDY

Wood, Golden Hill, this morning. Mrs. Wheeler was 75 years of age. but in spite of her advanced years remained remarkably active up to about six weeks ago. An attack of the grip left her so weakened that she gradually failed. Death was expected almost any time for several days. and though it came rather suddenly she was sur rounded by her family when she pass ed away peacefully at s:3o this morn ing.
 Mrs. Wheeler was one of the fore most charitable women of this city, yet she performed her benefactions so unostentatiously that few of them came to light. With the income of immense wealth at her disposal she ac- that won for her the lasting remem- brances of many families not so rich ly blessed with this worlds goods.
 Mrs. Wheeler was born Feb. 16, 1885, in New Canaan. Conn.,. the daughter of Deacon Hiram and Polly Penoyer Crissy, both Coming of old New Ca became the second wife of Nathaniel Wheeler, the marriage being solemn ized August 3, 1858. For several years Wheeler homestead, which occupied the present site of the Fairfield Coun- ty Court House. the original structure Stratfield.
 In 1885 MT. and Mrs. Wheeler re- moved to the HarTa1 home on the crest of Golden Hill. where Mrs. Wheeler had since resided continuous ly. Mrs. Wheeler had ever been prom inent in charitable undertakings, but following the death of her husband IT years ago she gave herself up almost exclusively to bringing succor to the afflicted.
 Mrs. Wheeler was one of the found CTS of the Bridgeport Protestant Or phan asylum, and probably it's most generous contributor. She was a di- 1E the Y. M. c. A. Although s1fe was not much given to social recreations, she had a faculty of retaining the friendships of those with whom she of her death was communicated to her acQuantances this. morning it brought forth widespread expressions of grief.
 Mrs. Whee1er's late husband was one of the foremost of New England man ufacturers, the founder of Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Co, and one civic undertakings. His first wife, Hulda Bradley of Watertown, Conn.,, died in 1857, leaving two children, Sam uel H. Wheeler, owner of the Strat- successor of his father as head of the Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co.,, and Ellen B. who married Edward w. liar ra1. The latter's first wife was Julia Crissy a sister of the second Mrs. Ma thanieI Wheeler.
 Four children blessed the second 
 Forest, who died on reaching IS years, Archer Crissy, William Bishop, and Arthur Penoyer, who died in infancy. Archer c. and William B. Wheeler survive, the former the treasurer of the Fairfield Rubber Co.,, of which E. W. Harral is president, and the lat ter in charge of the real estate inter ests of the Nathaniel Wheeler estate, with offices in the Security building.
 Six months ago Mrs. Wheeler began to fail, but her condition was not such crix1e r-fc fai iV1071a an6T Tof foo til she suffered an attack of the grip about six weeks ago. Before then she took almost daily trips in her auto mobile when the wea ther was favor able, and enjoyed the healthful out door recreation as one of her most delightful pastimes But following the attack of the grip she failed to rally and she suffered a general breakdown.
 Nurses and physicians had been in almost constant attendance for the last week, and the members of her family held themselves in readiness for the final summons to her bed- side.
 that the end was near and Mrs. Wheeler still conscious made it known that she wished her family near her. Her two step children Samuel H: her two sons, Archer c. and William B. Wheeler were called, and with them gathered about her, Mrs. Wheeler passed peacefully away at S:30.
 Mrs. Wheeler was a devout mem Der of St. Johns church. She shower ed liberal contributions into the church funds and was regarded as one of the most substantial pillars of the church.
 taxes upon property valued al $500, 900, inclusive of over $400, 900 in real estate, belonging to the estate of her late husband, Nathaniel Wheeler, of which she had life use.
 will of the late manufaCtur- CT of sewing machines made Sept. 23, 1890, the testator left all of his personal effects and furniture to his wife, Mary G. Wheeler with the wish that she should provide for a fair and appro- priate distribution of the effects among his children at his disease.
 In lieu of her dover right the tes- tator left to his widow the life use of one-third of his entire estate the property to revert to his M Ilneal descen- of the estate was ordered divided equally among the children who are, Samuel H. Wheeler, Ellen B. Harral, Wheeler.
 An inventory of the estate of the late Nathaniel Wheeler. filed May 22.. 1895. was in Bridgeport real estate.
 By an agreement between the heirs the widow was given the life use of two pieces of property as, follows:
 ssThat certain tract with the build ings thereon comprising six stores on Main street running through to Mid de street, Ghe Wheeler block occu- pied by the stores of the D. M. Read Co.) with 15O fit frontage in Main St., 149 it. in Middle street and 173 it. in Fairfield avenue; the tract of land known as Walnut Wood" bounded north on Congress street 36O ft.; east on land of Frederick Hurd 449 fit. 1; south on Golden Hill street 23S it. and west on Harrison street 422 it.
 In addition to the above Mrs Wheel CT paid taxes upon a tract of land at Broad street, LafaXNtte street and Waldemer avenue, H at s26,o00.