The life stories of Samuel D. Wheeler

Every tombstone in the Chariton Cemetery is akin to a bookmark, pointing toward a story or stories. Finding the story, of course, is not as easy as opening a book --- but in the case of Samuel Davis Wheeler, plenty of material published and otherwise is available. Mr. Wheeler was both prominent and widely admired.

This fine image of Mr. Wheeler has a story of its own to tell. It was found during 1976 inside the "Centennial Box," a small, heavy iron container sealed soon after July 4, 1876, and reopened as intended on July 4, 1976. Both the box and its contents are in the Lucas County Historical Society collection.

On the back, written in a neat hand, is the following brief biography:

"S.D. Wheeler born Sept. 22d AD 1810 in Loudon County, Va. Removed to Fayett Co. Pa. 1816, from there to Muskingum Co. Ohio in 1829, thence to Perry Co. in 1838, from thence to Lucas Co. Iowa in 1856. Was a member o the 12th general assembly of Iowa which convened Jan. 13th l868. Is at present time a justice of the Peace of Whitebreast TP. By profession a farmer and Atty at Law."

Other than his tombstone in the Chariton Cemetery and this image, the only other physical reminders of Mr. Wheeler in Lucas County are the Wheeler Bridge over White Breast Creek near the original Wheeler claim in Liberty Township at the north end of Swede Hollow and the name "Parr-Wheeler Cemetery," so called because he once owned the land around the cemetery although no members of his family are buried in it.

+++

When Mr. Wheeler died during March of 1897 at the age of 86, detailed obituaries were published in all of the city newspapers --- The Patriot, The Democrat and The Herald. The Patriot and The Democrat chose to publish in full an obituary written by his grandson, George P. Routt.

The Patriot, edited and published by members of the Lewis family, included a preface in its edition of March 18 expressing their admiration of the deceased, as follows:

We publish in another place an obituary notice of the Hon. S.D. Wheeler, written by his grandson, G.P. Routt. The Patriot could add very little to the words of affectionate regard so well expressed therein. We could not, however, leave the occasion pass without bearing personal testimony to the goodness of heart, integrity of principles, and excellent character of our kind friend of 30 years standing. No man has been more usefully or honorably helpful of all that goes to benefit communities than he whose noble life is at once an incentive to better living as well as a cherished memory. He tried to leave the world better from having lived in it. No nobler epitaph could be written above his grave than that he was an honest man, feared God and loved his fellow man.

+++

Here's the entire obituary, as written by George P. Routt:

There died in Chariton, Iowa, on 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 occurred 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 1854. In the practice of his profession he sought only to satisfy his own conscience and his fine sense of right to his fellow man. He prided himself on his ability as a counselor, 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 arbitration had failed, and many times when employed as a counsel his first step was to get the litigants together and more 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 could forgive or forget more readily and with more sincerity then he.

In 1856 he and his wife removed to Lucas county, Iowa, leaving in 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 victim of smallpox.

He bought his first land, 280 acres, from the government. He afterwards added more to it, cleared it out, and made it 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 member of the county board of supervisors, and served in that capacity for eight years. In 1868 he was again 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 Peace for several years prior to his removal to Chariton.

In his service to his township or county, he acquitted himself with honor to himself and satisfaction of his constituents. Being of liberal education and broad views, he was peculiary fitted to be a leader, and both 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 expresses 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 descendants 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 the Chariton Cemetery.

The venerable sire is gone, the old patriarch has passed away, and the valued friend and adviser is no more. Let his descendants so live that their children shall point with pride to their parents' records, as all now do to the example of this noble life. G.P.R.

+++

Other life stories of Samuel D. Wheeler --- of varying length but with similar information --- may be found in Lucas County's 1881 history, the 1896 Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa and the Iowa Legislature's biographical database.