LESTER W. WHEATLEY, BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP.

Having lived in Cass county more than the duration of a full generation of human life, and having by his industry and thrift become a large landed proprietor, owning and working more than one thousand acres of land, which is, however, principally devoted to stock breeding, Lester W. Wheatley, of Brighton township, has a direct interest in the continued welfare and prospity [sic prosperity?] of this section growing out of his own stake in the issue, and his long and intimate acquaintance with the locality and the desires and needs of its people, and also, the service he has rendered in helping along the development and improvement of the region. Mr. Wheatley is a native of Vermont, born on September 18, 1853, at Hardwick in Caledonia county, and a son of John A. and Charlotte E. (Skinner) Wheatley, the former born in New Hampshire and the latter in Vermont.

The father moved to Wisconsin in 1855, and to Iowa in about 1886, and died in this county in 1892, the mother passing away here in 1904. They had four sons and three daughters, two of the latter being deceased. In Wisconsin the father was a man of local prominence and was influential in the politics of his town and county. He served as postmaster there, and also a township clerk and justice of the peace. He was a pioneer and of great weight and importance in establishing the early government of his township. The grandfather, John Wheatley, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, died in Vermont after many years of usefulness as an industrious farmer. His father was a quartermaster under Washington in the Revolution, and enjoyed the confidence and regard of the great commander.

Lester W. Wheatley was reared in Wisconsin to the age of nineteen, and in the schools of that State he received his education. In 1872, when he was on the verge of manhood, he came to this State and took up his residence in Brighton township in this county, where he has ever since lived. Here he has struggled against adverse circumstances and overcome them, having made his way through difficulties to consequence and substance, as one of the leading men and most extensive landowners of the township. He now owns 1.043 acres of land, which, as has been noted, is mainly devoted to stock breeding, in which Mr. Wheatley has been very successful. He has this large estate well improved and attractively adorned, and carries on both his general farmin industry and his stock breeding with vigor, wisdom, and consequent success.

In 1873 Mr. Wheatley was united in marriage with Laura Sheffer, a native of Mercer county, Pa. They have eleven children living--Frank L., Joseph H., Lottie M., Walter B., Etta B., Ida A., Harry L., Susie J., John Mc., Grace L. and Dearie M. Mr. Wheatley is a Republican politically, and has served on the school board. Fraternally he is a Freemason. He is well known throughout the county and highly respected among its people of every class.


From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 542-543.