My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES M. WHEELER. Every country, state and county furnishes its quota of what the world calls “self-made” men, men who, commencing life without financial assistance, have by means of their own good judgment and energy gained success in their chosen vocations, and the subject of our sketch undoubtedly belongs to this class. He is Democratic in politics, and is serving as Deputy Sheriff under Alfred Adams.

A native of Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., Mr. Wheeler was born January 4, 1844, and is the son of James M. Wheeler. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Kaskaskia, this state, coming here as early as 1833. He was a native of England, having been born in London, and was a lad of ten years when he came to the United States in company with his parents, who located in Maryland. The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Mary Boarman. She was born in Maryland and was a daughter of Ignatius Boarman, a soldier in the War of 1812.

James M. Wheeler, the father of our subject, when coming to this state purchased a large tract of land adjoining the town of Kaskaskia. It comprised three hundred and twenty acres, and in addition to raising the cereals, he was extensively engaged in raising stock. He was also a carpenter and builder of some renown, erecting the Kaskaskia Convent, and also was given the contract to build the bridge across the Kaskaskia River. His death occurred April 4, 1860, while the mother of our subject died in 1846.

Charles M., of this sketch, was the youngest of four children born to his parents, and after the decease of his mother, the father was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Hailman, of St. Louis. Our subject remained upon the home farm and carried on his studies in the common school until reaching his eleventh year, when he went to Adams County, Pa., and entered the Conewago College. After three years spent in that institution, young Wheeler returned home, and for one year clerked in the store of Daniel Reily.

In 1860 our subject went west to Kansas City, Mo., stopping for a time with his uncle, John A. Boarman, and later with another uncle, Jerome Boarman, who was running a store at Oxford, Kan., among the Shawnee Indians. He remained with him until 1862, when he went to Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Mo., and there joined General Price’s army. He did faithful and valiant service until the close of the war, and after the surrender of Lee, spent one year in the Louisiana State University at Mt. Lebanon. He then returned to Kaskaskia, after an absence of seven years, and engaged as traveling salesman for the wholesale boot and shoe firm of George P. Gore & Co., now of Chicago. Soon tiring of that kind of life, Mr. Wheeler in 1868 engaged in business on his own account in the above place, which he carried on success fully until 1882.

The lady to whom our subject was married, September 1, 1869, was Miss Mary, daughter of Patrick H. Reily, and to them has been born a family of seven children, all of whom are living. In 1882 our subject came to Chester, and purchasing the grocery stock of Thomas James & Son, carried it on for three years. Then, on account of failing health, he returned to his farm, where he resided until 1890, at which time he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Alfred Adams. He has also held many other positions of responsibility, and while residing in Kaskaskia was Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. He has always been an active politician, and has served his party many times as a member of Congressional committees. He possesses intelligent views on all subjects of general interest, is a man of many pleasant social qualities and is well liked by the entire community. November 1, 1893, he was appointed Deputy Collector in the Internal Revenue service by Collector Tom K. Murphy, which position he is now holding.