Obituary of John WHEELER, Macoupin County Illinois 17 June 
1998
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives ©1998 Mary Ann Kaylor


Name of Deceased: WHEELER, John
Name of Newspaper: Possibly Carlinville?
Date of Obituary: July 1895 
Obituary: JOHN WHEELER: Died at 11:45 P.M. July 3rd, 1895 at his home in 
Bird Township. John Wheeler was 88 yrs, 9 months, 27 days old. Grandfather 
Wheeler as he was familiarly called, first saw the light of day Sept 6, 1806 in 
Mason County, Kentucky. He was raised on a farm and when he grew to 
manhood, he chose that profession for a livelihood and continued in that pursuit 
during his life. He lived in Ohio a short ime, afterwards in Indiana. In the year 
1832 he started on a tour of inspection through Illinois on horseback and went as 
far as Pike county. On August 28, 1828, he and Miss MARY CAMERER, a 
native of Kentucky were joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and they 
journeyed down the stream of life for nearly 67 years. His wife still survives him, 
though is quite feeble being about 3 years his senior. In the year 1833, he and his 
wife moved to Greene Co. Illinois and in the spring he entered land in what is 
now Bird Township, Macoupin County, built a residence thereon, moved thither 
and lived on that farm until he passed 61 years. In those days, there were no 
railroads, and the majority of settlers located near streams of water where they 
could boat their products and stock to market. He, having passed through 
Macoupin County on his way to Greene County, near the Illinois river, noticed 
that Macoupin soil seemed to suit his fancy better than any. He had then 
consequently concluded to come back and cast his lot here. He at once began to 
thrive. He hauled his surplus grain to Alton to sell, also drove his stock to 
market and did most of his trading there, while on those trips. It took about 3 
days, on an average to make the round trip in a wagon, and it took about one 
week on a average, to drive stock to that point, dispose of them (of course they 
had to wait until the stock had been slaughtered to sell them) and to return home. 
We have heard him say often his brothers would joke with him about having to 
haul his grain and drive his cattle so far to market. While they and his father who 
lived in Pike Co. near the IL River could make several loads each day to the boat 
landing on the IL River and besides get all the fish they desired with but little 
trouble. He replied that it was very inconvenient to get his surplus stock and 
grain to market, but as for fish he would want to go see his brothers and 
father occasionally and would bring back a barrelful of fish with him. For a 
number of years after he settled in he county game was in great abundance, was 
here more especially deer and turkeys of which he was fond. He always 
had venison and turkey when they were to be found. He was the eldest of his 
fathers family of 7 children and he outlived all of them except his youngest sister, 
Mrs. Betty JACKSON of Glascow, Illinois. He has 3 sons and 2 daughters living, 
2 daughters having died while living in Indiana. He has about 75 grandchildren 
and Great Grandchildren and all of them had a kind word for "Grandad" as he 
was always kind and affectionate to them. He never had any political aspirations, 
and was a Democrat of the Andrew Jackson type and cast his first vote for him 
in the fall of 1828 and ever since made it a special point to attend every election. 
He was an industrious, progressive, prosperous farmer caring very little for what 
is termed style, but always wanted something good and substantial. he owned a 
good farm and had given the most of his children each a good farm. He had but 
little book learning though possessed good common sense, sound judgement and 
indomitable progression, disposition, treating everyone as he wished to be 
treated, had but few enemies if any, and it seemed as if everyone honored and 
respected him. He was a healthy robust man until recent years when his sight 
became dim and his strength began to fail, which prevented him from doing any 
work, and this seemed to worry him more than all else. Mon. a. m. July 1, 1895, 
he became quite sick, went to bed and gradually grew worse until a few minutes 
before midnight on Wednesday night at which time he breathed his last. The 
remains were taken to Shiloh Grave Yard on Friday, amongst one of the largest 
congregations we have witnessed at a Funeral and a great number of them were 
old people. The Surviving children are: William WHEELER, Carlinville, Illinois 
Marion WHEELER, Hettick, Illinois Calvin WHEELER, Greenfield, Illinois 
Hulda WHEELER STEWART, Hettick, Illinois Barbara RIBBLE, Hettick, 
Illinois

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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Mary Ann Kaylor.
(© 1998 Mary Ann Kaylor)