Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-15
ACTIVE cAREEa OF JUDGE
 RALPH WHEELER ENDED
Death Came Friday to Distinguished Jurist Aftsr iiIness of Two Weeks.


 Judge Ralph Wheeler of the SUI perior court died at his home, 299 Williams street New London, about IllO Friday morning. He had been sick about two weeks, having been attacked by ciaills, while holding court Tn Br1dgeport. A case of grip devel- oped on his return to his home and he continued indisposed until a week ago Thursday. when pneumonia set in His condition had grown more
 Mrs. Wheeler, his widow, a sister, Miss Augusta Wheeler who is an in valid, and 8 brother. Deputy Town Court Judge Silas R. Wheeler of Ston- the family. Judge Wheeler would have been 70 years of age on May IA next.
 Judge Wheeler was born in ston- lngfon on May II. 1s4s. He was a do farmer. Mary Wheeler, his moth CT, was daughter of Samuel Wheel CT Ralph Wheeler was distantly Wheeler of Stoningten, who served on the bench of the superior court
 Had Inclination to Politics.
 Early in life Ralph Wheeler dexel- oped an inclination for political career He became a student of law in Stonington and was admitted to the bar in 1S67 Soon after he be- gan the practice of law in New Lon don and had maintained an office in then.
 In 1873 Attorney Wheeler was elect ed to the senate of the state as democrat from the Seventh district, ton town offices. This district was then made up of the towns of New London. Groton, Stonington, Ledyard and Waterford. John B. Palmer of af oT =f,v.f1 1,s zT onel Appleton with whom MT. Wheeler studied law, was secretary of state in 1S69-1S71, but was defeated for reelection by Thomas M. Waller, after also served on the democratic state central committee.
 Was Chosen Mayor in 1891
 Senator Wheeler was elected mayor Of New London in 1891. In 1893 he resigned to take up the duties of a pointment from Gov. Llizon B. Morris, dated March 14. 1S93 Previously to his being commissioned as a judge MT Wheeler acted as state attorney in this county. On the election of State Attorney Thomas M. Waller to the office of governor in 1883 Judge Wheeler was provisionaily appointed to take his place. Judge John M. Thayer, who retires as a supreme court judge March Is. 1917, was ap- pointed state attorney by the judges of the superior court, displacing Judge Wheeler
 Judge Wheeler married Mrs Graves. widowed mother Of Dr. Charles B. Graves, in 1884 They had no children. A brother of Judge Wheeler. Hiram Wheeler, was drowned in the Mime sota river, another brother, Samuel H., was for many years in the em- ploye of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co. and was a division superintendent at the time of his death few years ago. The third brother, Silas H., was president of the Stonington school board for many years teacher and later a judge of the town court.
 Masonic Affiliations.
 Judge Wheeler was member of Union lodge No. S1. Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, of New London, and cfl and Palestine commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar. During his judge ship he had not actively practiced law. but previously was associated in practice with John C. Geary. MT. Geary, one of Judge WheeIer's closest friends is in Cuba on a vacation, having sailed before the judges ill., ness became serious.
 Judge Wheeler possessed consider able wealth, owning real estate in part nership with Mir. Geary and inde- pendently. Judge Wheeler was fel- low townsman in Stonington and here OI fiepTcbcAIdllN0 aOt1 r. Tanner, WnO knew him we'll MT. Tanner said the loss of Judge Wheeler would be felt not only by the bench and bar, but by the entire community. He referred to him as a man of fine qualities, of intellect and character
 Friends of Judge Wheeler had urged his appointment to the bench of the supreme court of errors by Governor Baldwin as a fitting honor to the close of his judicial career, which the constitution of the state provides shall terminate at the age of TO. The fact that he was not appointed passed without comment on the aged judges part, but his friends believed in spite of his reticence that he felt the dis keenly, and that this az grayated his fatal illness.
 It was stated at the Wheeler home tonight that the funeral arrangements had not yet been made.