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- John enlisted in the army during the Civil War. He served in the 42nd WI Infantry. We have copies of the loving letters he wrote home during the war. He signed his letters Ned. About 1873 he moved his family to Tornado and worked for Scofield & Co Sawmill where he had an accident and was hit with a flying block of wood. He died a week later at age 50.
April 26, 1883 The Advocate, Obituary
This community was deeply shocked last Saturday morning at the announcement that JE Wheeler had expired the evening preceding. The report was all the more startling and surprising because it was generally believed that he was recovering rapidly as the nature of the injuries would permit. Subsequent developments proved, however, that the injuries were far more severe than at first stated, and it is a wonder that he survived as long as he did. Soon after the receipt of the sad intelligence, the tug John Leathem proceeded to Leathem to convey the body to this place. The boat returned here the same evening. Mrs. Wheeler and one or two friends accompanying the remains.
The funeral, which took place Monday afternoon was one of the largest gatherings of the kind ever seen in the city, the members of the fire department and the cornet band, to both of which organizations he belonged, turning out in full force. The obsequies were conducted in the ME Church by Rev JF Tubbs, who was assisted by Revs. GW Prescott and D Lewis
John E Wheeler was born in Buffalo, NY Jan 26, 1833, consequently he was 50 years old. When 23 years of age, he came to Rock County, this state, and after remaining there for several years removed to Oshkosh, were he married Miss Harriett Van Lone, in 1861. He entered the army soon after the rebellion broke out and served for over 3 years in the 42nd Wisconsin infantry. Upon the close of the war he returned to Oshkosh, where he remained until about ten years ago when re removed to Tornado, this county and entered the employ of Scofield & Co., remaining at the latter place a year or two. He soon afterward brought his family to this city, where he has resided ever since, Last fall he went to the new town of Leathem to work during the winter and on the 11th of this month met with the terrible accident which terminated in his death a week or so later. He leaves a wife and seven children, the oldest about twenty one and the youngest three years of age.
In the death of Mr. Wheeler the family loses a kind, loving and generous husband and father, and the community one of its most estimable citizens. The Advocate embraces this opportunity to extend the sympathy of all our people to the grief-stricken relatives in the dark our of tribulation.
Harriet was referred to by her children and grandchildren as the Queen. She collected all the salaries of her sons until they were married. She allotted them each an allowance. This was undoubtedly because of her husbands early death. The children had to work to support the family.
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1833 - 1883 (50 years)
