Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Maria P. Thayer, 12/27/1854; children: 2, Fred C. and Charles T.
Number of Children: 2
Background
Education:
common schools; attended Cochren's Academy in Northville; passed from there to the Ypsilanti High School; the commercial college in Detroit; and one term in the law school of 'the University'
Biographical Sketch:
He moved to Michigan with his parents, Calvin and Almira (Smith) Wheeler, in 1831, having lived in Washtenaw and Livingston Counties 67 years when elected. At 17, he began teaching in the public schools and followed that occupation for the greater part of the following 16 years. He taught for 1 year in Eugene, IN, while reading law with Judge Soles. He was elected county superintendent of schools in 1868, and served 6 years, after which he was a member of the county board of school examiners for 8 years. In the winter of 1861/62, he recruited a company for the Sir Arthur Rankin's regiment of lancers, which was never mustered into the service, but on August 27, 1862, he was mustered into the service of the United States as first lieutenant of Company D, 5th Michigan cavalry, and went to the front in December of the same year. After the war he served as deputy county treasurer of Washtenaw County for 2 years, and was supervisor of Washtenaw and Livingston Counties for 15 years.
Notable Facts:
Died of influenza and mitral stenosis.
Son of Rep. Calvin Wheeler.