Samuel Davis Wheeler

WHEELER, MATTHEWS

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 3/5/2003 at 14:58:14

March 11, 1897, Samuel D. Wheeler
Let us speak further of this man's life.
Born in Virginia, the birthplace of presidents and illustrious men. His natal day, September 22, 1810, in the youth of republic. His father, Robert Wheeler, was born in 1749, enlisted in the service, and under General Smallwood he fought through the Revolutionary war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. He had a vivid recollection of those stirring scenes and was fond of relating them to his friends in his later days.
In 1816 Robert Wheeler with his family removed to pennsylvania, where they resided until 1829, when following the spirit of the day, they traveled further west and located in Ohio where his death occured in 1843 at the home of his son, whom we now write.
Samuel D. Wheeler was married in 1834 to Elizabeth Mathews, a daughter of George and Amy Matthews of Muskingum Co., Ohio. After attaining mature years, he concluded to study law, and under instruction of judge Hickman, he became a student and was admitted to practice in 1851. In the practice of his profession he sought only to satisfy his own conscience and his fine sense of ight to his fellow man. He prided himself on his ability as a counsellor, and that ability coupled with the kindly attributes and high sense of honor made him a valuable man to his community.
The civil law with him was a last resort, after all attempts at atribution had failed, and many times when employed as a counsel his first step was to get the litigants together and move often then otherwise he was successful in settling the matter without recourse to the courts.
Sturdy and stern when there seemed a possibility of wrong prevailing over right, yet when he had gained the point for which he fought, no man couldforgive or forget more readily and with more sincerity then he.
In 1856 he and his wife removed to Lucas county, Iowa, leaving Ohio four little graves and bringing with them seven children to the then far west. Since coming to Iowa two children have been born to them and four taken away from them. he sent two sons to fight for the preservation of the Union; one returned, the other was buried on the island of St. Louis, a victum of smallpox.
He bought his first land, 280 acres, from the government. He afterwards added more to it, cleared it out, and made in one of the finest farms in the county.
In 1873, in order to be near the county seat and have greater social advantages, he removed to Whitebreast township, where he resided seventeen years.
In 1890 with failing health and his loved ones scattered, he removed to Chariton that he might rid himself of the loneliness of an empty home at some distance from neighbors and friends. For almost seven years he has been a familiar figure on our streets of Chariton, always interested in current events and always an ardent champion of his idea of right.
In 1860 Mr. Wheeler was elected a memeber of the county board of supervisors, and served in that capacity for eight years. In 1868 he was agin elected to serve as a member of the 12th General Assembly, and his stability and prudence, are a matter of record in the history of the state. he also served as Justice of the Piece for several years prior to his removal to Chariton.
In his service to his township or county, he aquitted himself with honor to himself and satisfaction of his constituents. Being of liberal education and broad views, he was pecuilary fitted to be a leader, and bolth publicly and privately his best energies where devoted to the welfare of his township, county or state.
A strong defender of his faith, he was with that liberality which was an integrated part of his character, in full sympathy with perfect freedom of thought. He died in full confidence in his heritage in a better world, and of the immorality of the soul.
His aged companion, aged 80 survives him, and she exspreses the hope that the parting will not be for long, and they they would be united in a land where sorrow is a stranger. He leaves also 76 desendents of his own blood, and many others have gone before him.
Deceased, with his wife, where consistent members of the M. E. Church for over fifty years. The funeral services where conducted at the M. E. Church by Rev. Roderick. The remains where interred in the family lot in Chariton Cemetery.
The venerable sire is gone, the old patriarch has passed away, and the valued friend and adviser is no more. let his decendents so live that thier children shall point with pride to thier parents records, as all now do, to the example of this noble life G.P.R.

( transcribed by David Niswender )