Biographical Sketch of

Theodore Wheeler

Transcribed by Joan Benner



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 619 - 620


Theodore Wheeler is one of the oldest settlers of the town of Green Lake, Green Lake Co., Wis.  He yet 
resides on section 23, where he has made his home for many years.  He was born in Perry, Wyoming Co., 
N. Y., March 27, 1820, and is the son of Daniel and Betsy (Burk) Wheeler.  His father was a native of 
Massachusetts, where he made his home until eighteen years of age, when he removed to New York.  The 
mother was born in Vermont, but went with her parents to the Empire State.  The young people then became 
acquainted, were married and made their home in that State until within a few years of their death, when 
they came to this county to spend their declining years.  Before he had attained to his majority, Mr. 
Wheeler enlisted in the War of 1812, and in after years received a pension for his services.  He was a 
strong supporter of the Whig party, and a highly respected citizen.  He died at the age of eighty-five, 
and his wife was called home at the age of eighty-four years.  In their family were eight children, four 
sons and four daughters.

Our subject was the eldest of the family, and had to aid greatly in the cultivation of the old home farm 
while the younger children were growing up.  He received his education in the district schools, and remained 
under the parental roof until 1841, when he wedded Sarah L. Connable, a native of Wyoming County, N. Y.  
The following year the young couple left their Eastern home and emigrated to Wisconsin, locating in Walworth 
County, where Mr. Wheeler entered 240 acres of land, but in October, 1845, he sold that farm and come to 
Green Lake County, settling in the town of Green Lake.  On his arrival he made his home with Jacob See, 
who had a log cabin 14x32 feet.  In it were living two families, numbering respectively eight and eleven 
members.  Mr. Wheeler's party was also composed of eight persons, and for a week the entire twenty-seven 
lived in that little room.  They were so crowded that the last one in had to be the first one out.  As soon 
as possible Mr. Wheeler built a log house upon his own land, and there shared in the hardships, the trials 
and pleasures of pioneer life.  He at once began the development of a farm, but afterward sold his land and 
purchased his present homestead, consisting of 360 acres.

In 1857 death entered the household, claiming the wife and mother as its victim.  Five children were born of 
their union - Samuel, Homer D., Lydia, Alice and Laura.  Mr. Wheeler was again married on the 24th of July, 
1864, when Miss Julia M. Barrett became his wife.  Her father, Jesse Barrett, was born in Westchester County, 
N. Y., June 25, 1811, and married Margaret Smith, a native of New York City, born March 10, 1813.  He engaged 
in farming in his native county until 1857, when he emigrated to this county.  His last days were spent in 
Walworth County, where he died at the age of sixty-six years, his wife dying in the same county, aged sixty-seven 
years.  Both were members of the Congregational Church, and in political sentiment he was a Republican, having
been a Whig previous to the organization of that party.  Their family numbered nine children, and three of the
sons served in the late war - Ellis S., James J. and Samuel, who died while being brought home.  Mrs. Wheeler 
is the only one now living in the county.

Numbered among the prominent citizens and leading farmers of the town of Green Lake, Mr. Wheeler is well worthy 
of representation in the volume.  He has occupied various official positions, and for about four terms served as 
Chairman of his town,  He supported the Republican party until the fall in which Greeley ran for President, when 
he entered to ranks of the Democracy, where he has since been found.  Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging 
to Markesan Lodge and Ripon Chapter.  He is one of Green Lake County's most successful farmers and respected citizens, 
and deserves no little credit for the prominent part he has taken in the upbuilding and progress which have placed 
the county in its present advanced position.  He has witnessed many great changes and has seen the once sparsely 
settled frontier converted into as fine an agricultural section as can be found in the country.  His own fine farm 
testifies to his enterprising and progressive spirit, and he is certainly deserving of a representation in the volume.

Of the children born of the first union of Mr. Wheeler, Samuel died at the age of thirteen years; Homer D., married 
Sarah Millard, by whom he has two children, and is now engaged in merchandising in Seattle, Wash.; Lydia died at the 
age of eight years; Alice is the wife of S. A. Shurburn; Lura became the wife of Farnham Chickering, and died at the 
age of twenty-seven years, leaving one child, Elbridge, who lives with Mr. Wheeler.
 





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