The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-05-03
Death of Hon. William E. Wheeler.


then adjourned sine die.
Death of Hon. William E. Wheeler.
Hon. William Il. Wheeler died sudden
ly at his home at Portville, N. Y, at S:l5
o'clock Friday morning, April 2S, 1911.
Although in i'll health since last Deem
ber from vslvular heart trouble, his con-
dition had so improved within the past
two months that his complete recovery
was looked for, and while still under
treatment by physicians and in the care
of a nurse, he had been able to be up and
about the house. Thus 1t was that when
the end came the shock to his family,
relatives and friends was very great In
the morning the trained nurse gave him
his break fast, which he ate and seemed to
relish. 1t was a little after o'clock
when she spoke to him about some mat
ter, and failing to get reply, walked to
his bedside and spoke again. 1t was then
that she discovered that he had suddenly
passed away. The end came peacefully.
From the olean, N. Y. Evening Herald
of the 2Sth ult., we Gull the following con-
cerning the deceased
"The death of William Egbert Wheeler
is very great loss not only to the viii
lage of Portville but to the entire COM
munity. He was interested in so many
of the affairs in which the common people
are interested, and was also conn ected
with so many extensive business inter-
ests that his passing away cannot but
help to cause an irreparable loss.
"Mr. Wheeler was a pronounced chris
tiau gentleman, and an active member
and elder of the Portville Presbyterian
church. He united with the church in
April, 1858, when he was fourteen years
of age, and was ordained as a ruling elder
of the church July 81, 1892. He had acted
as superintendent of the Sunday school
for many years, was regular attendant
at the mid-week service, for many years
was member of the choir, and took an
active and lively interest in all of the
affairs OF the church. Up to the time of
his death and for many years prior, Mr..
Wheeler was president of the Portyille
school board. He was a generous con-
tributor to the endowment fund of the
Portville Free Library. AS to his bene-
factions it is known that they were very
considerable, but he was always very
careful to avoid ostentation or publicity
of his charitable operations.
"For nearly thirty years Mr.. Wheeler
was manager of the Portville Tanning
company, which was formerly the lead
ing industry of the village. This COM
pany discontinued business in 1899. Mr..
Wheeler was well known not only in
Portville and Olean and vicinity, but
throughout the country as very success
ful business man OF large wealth. He
was vice president of the First National
Bank of olean, and president of the Acme
Milling company of Olean. Also presi-
dent OF the board of trustees of Randolph
Home foI the Frendless, to which insti-
tuition he had contributed largely.
HE was connected with E. G. Dusen-
bury and John Dusenbury under the
firm name of Wheeler IL Dusenbury,
which said firm has extensive lumber
and oil interests in Forest and Warren
counties in Pennsylvania. He also had
extensive lumber interests In Northern
Michigan and in California and Oregon.
"Hon. William Egbert Wheeler, son of
the late Hon. William F. Wheeler, was
born in Portville, November /, 1913. He
prepared for college in Deposit and Ho-
mer, N. Y. and entered the sophomore
class of Hamilton college in 1868 where
he remained one year. He then entered
the junior class OF Yale college and was
graduated in the class of 1866. After leav.
ing college he interested himself in the
long established firms composed Of the
Wheelers and Dusenburys of Portville in
business in which his father and grand
father had been engaged.
"In politics Mr.. Wheeler had always
been a republican and, in accordance
with his policy OF taking an active inter-
est in all public matters of importance,
he had many times attended state con-
ventions and had been elected to the
office of supervisor and other county
offices. In November 1891 he was elected
to the New York state assembly from the
First District of Cattaraugus county.
"In 1875 Mr.. Wheeler was united in
marriage to Allie L. Merserau of Port.
willie. he is survived by his wife and
four children, William NJ, an attorney of
Buffalo, N. Y, John f., lumber dealer
of Portland, Oregon, Eleanor X, who re.
sides at home and Lawrence r., who Is at
present student in Yale college; also by
one sister, Miss Lillia G. Wheeler of
Portville, and one brother, Hon, Nelson
2. Wheeler of Endeavor, Pa"
Mr.. Wheeler was favorably known to
many Forest county people where he
had frequently visited with his brother,
aud to these the news of his passing away
comes with sorrow and regret. As
mark of respect to the deceased the mills
we're shut down and all business at En-
deavor was suspended on Monday, the
H.. q II