Biography - MARSHALL B. WHEELER

A well known business man of Scottville is Marshall B. Wheeler, whose birth occurred in the Sacramento Valley, California, on the 16th of December, 1865, his parents being M. L. and Hannah (Beohm) Wheeler. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania and the father of Kentucky, but the Wheeler family originally came from Tennessee, the paternal grandparents, Josiah and Sarah (Owen) Wheeler, both having been natives of that state. M. L. Wheeler came from his native state to Illinois with his father in his early manhood. Here he resided until 1850, when he went to California, where he remained until April, 1867, when he returned to Macoupin county. On the 22d of the following May he opened a general store in Scottville, which he thereafter conducted in connection with his agricultural pursuits until two years prior to his death, when he retired from active life. He passed away on the 26th of February, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother, however, survived until the 30th of March, 1892. Both were residing ifi Scottville at the time of their death.

As he was only a child of two years when his parents returned to Illinois, in the acquirement of his education Marshall B. Wheeler attended the public schools of Scottville. After discarding his text-books he entered his father’s store, where he obtained an early business training. When old enough to begin for himself he engaged in the fancy groceries and hardware business, in which he was first associated with Mr. Hayes. Later he disposed of his interest to his partner and went in partnership with Mr. Drake, who retired seven years later; since the 1st of April, 1911, Mr. Wheeler has been alone in the business. In addition to hardware, he carries an extensive stock of farm implements and machinery, in both of which lines he is favored with an excellent patronage.

On the 27th of April, 1887, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Mary S. Walker, a daughter of Isaac and Parmelia A. (Holloway) Walker, the mother a native of Illinois and the father of Kentucky, while the paternal grandparents came from Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were the parents of four children: Forrest A., who married H. L. Catlett, a banker of Scottsville, and has one child, Margaret; Elmer Guy, who is in business with his father; Clyde I. and Edward M.

Fraternally Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being identified with Scottville Lodge, No. 226; and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Scottville Camp, No. 506. His political allegiance he accords to the democratic party, and has been assessor and collector as well as clerk of the township, village clerk and president of the village board. He is very public spirited and always takes an active interest in all community affairs, striving to forward every movement that will promote the development of the village.

Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 533-534.