WILLIAM A. WHEELER

Father:  Charles W. Wheeler
Mother: Mary Karnes

    Among the old and representative
families of Gibson County there are none who
hold a more prominent place than does the
Wheeler family. Coming to this county early in
its history, they have seen it emerge from a
primitive wilderness to a farming community
which is second to none in the state.

    They were among those who drained
its swamps, cleared its forests and built the
highways which connect the fine farms
scattered throughout the length and breadth
of the county. They are of that class of early
settlers who had to battle with the ague and
miasma of the swamps and all those ills
which surrounded the farmer of pioneer
times.  Too much credit cannot be given
these sturdy forefathers of ours who have
made it possible for us to enjoy the comforts
which surround us on every hand today.

    A scion of one of these pioneer
families is William A. Wheeler, and one of the
most prominent farmers of the county.
William A. Wheeler, son of Charles W. and
Mary A. (Karnes) Wheeler, was born
September 4, 1869, in Gibson County,
Indiana, Charles W. Wheeler was a native of
this county, while his wife came from
Crawford County, Indiana. Charles Wheeler
was one of the earliest settlers of the county
and has been engaged in farming all his life.
He is still living and resides near Princeton,
this county.

    Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Wheeler
were the parents of nine children, the subject
of this sketch being the second in order of
birth. William A. Wheeler received his early
education in the district schools of his home
neighborhood, and although his early
education was limited, he has been a reader
all his life and keeps himself well informed
upon all the current topics of the day. That he
has kept himself well posted on all affairs,
particularly those pertaining to agriculture, is
evidenced by the fact that he is owner of
three hundred and thirty acres of fine land in
this county. This farm he has brought to a

hight state of cultivation and has always
believed in keeping it well stocked with all the
latest farming machinery. In addition to being
engaged in a diversified system of farming
and raising all those crops common to this
locality, he makes a specialty of breeding
Hereford cattle. He has as fine a herd of




Pictured are: back row, left, first two unknown, Cora
Wheeler, Will Wheeler, Dora Wheeler, Floyd Wheeler;
front row, Millie Wheeler, Dave Wheeler, Florence
Wheeler and Sam Meyers (photo furnished by Charles
Brazelton).


Herefords as can be found in the state and
takes a great deal of pride in keeping it to a
high standard of excellence.  He has a
beautiful home, substantial barn and other
outbuildings on his place and enjoys all the
modern conveniences of life.

    Mr. Wheeler has been twice married,
his first wife being Ellen Griffin of this county,
to whom he was married in August, 1892,
and to this union there was one child born,
Ralph, who is living with his father on the
farm. His second marriage was to Cora Utley
the daughter of Lewis and Jane Utley, to
whom he was married on July 3, 1898, and
to this union there have been born three
children, Pearl and Claud, who are at home,
and Roy, deceased. In his home life, Mr.
Wheeler is an ideal father and husband and is
always solicitous for the happiness of his wife
and children. Mr. Wheeler is a republican in
politics, but has never sought any political
office at the hands of his party. He has
devoted all of his time and attention towards
his private interests, although he takes an
intelligent interest in the deliberations of his
party.

    He and his family are faithful
adherents of the Presbyterian church, and
take an active interest in the various
departments of work in that denomination.
They realize that the church is an important
factor in the life of any community, and for
this reason take advantage of every
opportunity to ally themselves with any
movement which has for its end the raising of
the moral and religious life of their
community. Mr. Wheeler's record has been
one replete with duty well done and
conscientiously performed. In every relation of
life he has been an advocate of wholesome
living and clean politics and has always tried
to stand for the highest and best interests of
his community and the fact that he is held in
high esteem by his neighbors shows that he
has not labored in vain.

    He is a credit to the honored family
from which he is descended and will have the
satisfation of handing down to his children
the record of a life which has been well spent
in the service of his community.


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