Fifty-four years ago,
on March 29, 1857, J. W. Wheeler was born on his father’s farm in Bird
township. After arriving at maturity, instead of seeking a home among
strangers, he continued in his native county and he has seen no reason to
regret his choice of a permanent location. He is one of the successful men
of Macoupin county and is now the owner of a farm which yields a handsome
annual revenue. He is a son of William and Mary Jane (Lee) Wheeler, a record
of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
In the district schools J.
W. Wheeler received his early education and later, desiring to carry his
studies further, he became a student at Blackburn University in Carlinville.
He continued at home until twenty-four years of age and under his father was
thoroughly instructed in all details pertaining to agriculture and
stock-raising, thus becoming remarkably well prepared for the
responsibilities which he has since assumed. He began farming on his own
account in Bird township and later lived in various parts of the county.
About twenty years ago he settled on the place where he now lives, which
comprises three hundred and sixty acres on sections 19 and 20, Bird
township. He engages extensively in feeding and shipping stock and this has
proved a profitable branch of his business. His farm is well improved and
the work is conducted along modern and progressive lines, thus securing the
best returns for the time and labor expended upon it.
In 1881 Mr.
Wheeler was married to Miss Sarah Emma Loveless, a daughter of John H. and
Rhuhama (Brown) Loveless, one of the well known pioneer families of Macoupin
county, of whom extended mention has been made on another page of this work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler eight children have been born, namely: Orville W.,
who is engaged in farming in Bird township; Grace, who married Richard
Metcalf and lives near Chesterfield; Claude E., who is also identified with
farming in Bird township; Truman, deceased; John W. and Foster, both at
home; and Paul and Ruth, both deceased.
Mr. Wheeler gives his
political allegiance to the democratic party as the organization which in
his opinion is best adapted to preserve the liberties of the country. He has
served as highway commissioner for two years and as school director for
twenty years, discharging his duties in a manner entirely acceptable to the
people. He is loyal in matters of citizenship and takes a great interest in
the development of a region with which he has been familiar since his
boyhood. He and his estimable wife are both members of the Baptist church,
in which he is now serving as clerk and deacon. He also holds membership in
the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mutual Protective
League. Always intelligent and comprehensive in his views and methods, he is
respectful of the opinions of others and is justly esteemed wherever he is
known.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 36-39.
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