L. A. Wheeler Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 362-363

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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L. A. WHEELER, a well-known banker of Artesian, is rapidly working his 
way to a foremost position among the prominent financiers of South 
Dakota. Genuine success is not likely to be the result of mere chance 
or fortune, but is something to be labored for and sought out with 
consecutive effort. Ours is a utilitarian age and the life of every 
successful man bears its lessons and as told in contemporary narration 
perhaps is productive of the greatest good. Mr. Wheeler is a young man, 
but has already attained to a measure of prosperity that many a one who 
started out on life's journey before him might well envy. 

He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1870, and on the paternal side is 
descended from one of three brothers who came to this country in the 
Mayflower in 1620. His grandmother was able to trace the ancestry back 
to where it showed a distant relationship to General Scott and General 
Washington. Our subject's parents, Uriah C. and Caroline M. (Holbrook) 
Wheeler, were from Vermont, though the mother was born in New York and 
removed to the Green Mountain state in early life. For nineteen years 
the father was a traveling salesman, and at the same time was 
interested in a general mercantile store. 

Our subject, who is fifth in order of birth in a family of six 
children, was reared in Neenah, Wisconsin, and received a high school 
education, which well fitted him for the practical duties of life. At 
the age of sixteen he accepted a position in the post office at 
Rhinelander, Wisconsin. where he remained four years, and then went 
west, spending some time in California. Later he was employed in a bank 
at Lyons, Nebraska, and on coming to Artesian, South Dakota, in 1893, 
he purchased an interest in the bank of Diana, which was established in 
November, 1884, with W. G. Williams as president; R. H. Williams, vice-
president, and E. H. May, cashier. In 1893 the stockholders sold the 
bank to W. A. Loveland, W. A. Meyers and L. A. Wheeler, who changed the 
name to the Artesian State Bank. The following year Mr. Meyers sold his 
interest to his partners, who are now sole owners, Mr. Loveland serving 
as president, Mr. Wheeler as cashier. The latter has full charge of the 
business, which could not be in more capable hands. He is a popular 
young man, courteous and accommodating, and is thoroughly competent for 
the important position which he holds. He has helped to make the bank 
the best and safest in the county. He is an ardent supporter of the 
Republican party and its principles, and takes no small part in 
political affairs.