Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: WHEELER, Frank E. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 October 22, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 288, 290 photo p. 289 FRANK E. WHEELER. Frank E. Wheeler, assayer at the United States mint, was appointed to that position first by President Grover Cleveland in 1885 and served for four years. He then left the position, being supplanted by a republican appointee, was again called to the office by Woodrow Wilson during his first term and is again serving for a four year period.- He is splendidly qualified for the duties and obligations which devolve upon him in this connection and is most conscientious in the performance of all of the tasks which are his. Mr. Wheeler is a native son of Colorado, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county on the 1st of February, 1862. His father, John S. Wheeler, was born near Boston, Massachusetts, and when fourteen years of age removed to Ohio, where he continued until coming to Colorado on the 27th of May, 1859. He was one of the first pioneers of the state. The seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted within Colorado's borders at the time of his arrival. There were great districts into which the white man had never penetrated and only here and there were scattered settlements. Denver was at that time a tiny hamlet. Mr. Wheeler took up the occupation of farming and not only did he contribute to the agricultural development of the region, but also became a factor in shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the territory. He served as a member of the first territorial legislature of Colorado and afterward was made a member of the constitutional convention, so that he aided in framing the organic law of the commonwealth. He also acted as probate judge of Weld county and in the early days of the state engaged in the practice of law, although not a graduate attorney. He was very prominent and influential during the pioneer period of Colorado and his high purpose, his known integrity and the worth of his service, placed him in a very enviable position as one of Colorado's promoters and builders. He married Amelia D. Jones, a native of Ohio, and both have passed away. They were the parents of five children, but only two are now living: Frank E., of this review; and Theodore A., who is a banker of Creede, Colorado, and is very prominent as a political leader there. Frank E. Wheeler attended the district schools of Weld county to the age of fourteen years. His textbooks were then put aside, but throughout his life he has been a close observer and a discriminating student of men and things. He is today a well informed man of broad general knowledge, reading having kept him in touch with the trend of modern progress, while in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. For some time he continued to engage in farming in Weld county and he is still the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land, which was originally a part of his father's estate, it having come into his father's possession in 1859. Mr. Wheeler has also been identified with all branches of mining, from prospecting and the actual manual work of the mines to their development and superintendency. In 1879 he removed to Summit county and there spent six years as mine manager and was also assayer for four years. He spent two and a half years with the Idaho Springs Concentrating and Stamping Mills and in 1885 he was called to the position of assayer of the United States mint. He has traveled extensively in the United States, in Mexico and in Canada, engaged in mining work, and has been associated with many large interests, notably with the extensive mining operations of A. E. Humphrey. He has made mining a life study. It has been his hobby as well as his occupation and he stands among the foremost in his expert knowledge of all that pertains to mining interests. Though not a professional attorney, he has tried many large and important cases in law Involving mining litigation. After some years’ absence from the mint he was recalled to the position of assayer and is now acting in that capacity, his broad experience being of great value to him in his present duties. In 1888 Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Wallie Sutter. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership in Amethyst Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M., and Colorado Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R. In the Elks lodge, of which he is a life member, he has served in all of the offices; in Columbian Lodge, No. 87, K. P., he has also served in all of the offices, and is an active member of the grand lodge. He is also connected with the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, to which only Pythian Knights may belong. He has twice been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Elks at Baltimore. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and is the president of the Sons of Colorado. He also has membership with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is a member of the Colorado Pioneers' Society. He is active in politics and belongs to the Democratic Club. He is, moreover, loyal in his citizenship and is a member of the Red Cross. He stands at all times for those interests and activities which are most potent forces in upholding American standards and gives his aid and influence to many movements for the general good. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident of Colorado. The family name has been associated with the history of the state from early territorial days and the work instituted by his father as a pioneer has been carried forward under different conditions by Frank E. Wheeler, today recognized as one of the valued and substantial citizens of Denver.