My Genealogy Hound

Hon. W. H. Wheeler, merchant and planter, Warren, Ark. Eminent success achieved through honorable endeavor affords one of the greatest sources of pleasure to him who, in a retrospective view of life, traces his progress by such tokens as deserve admiration and esteem. Such an enjoyment is afforded in the fullest measure by Hon. W. H. Wheeler, who is not only one of the prominent merchants and planters of the county, but is a man universally liked and esteemed. His birth occurred in Campbell County, Tenn., on December 23, 1833, and he is the son of Nimrod B. and Kittie (Wheeler) Wheeler, both natives of the Old Dominion. The paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Wheeler, emigrated to that State at an early day, and there received his final summons. He was of Scotch-Welsh descent, as was also the maternal grandfather, who was an early settler of Kentucky, in which State he died. Nimrod B. Wheeler emigrated from his native State to Georgia, and thence to Arkansas in 1848, locating in Bradley County, about five miles northeast of Moro Landing. There he entered a tract of land, which was in a wild state, and there he continued to reside until his death in 1853. The mother had died the year previous. They reared nine children, three of whom are now living: Mrs. Camp (in Georgia), Mrs. D. A. Weir (of Warren), and W. H. (our subject). The latter was but fourteen years of age when he moved with his parents to Arkansas, and his early life was passed in active labor in trying to clear the home place. Although obliged to labor hard, young Wheeler enjoyed himself most thoroughly in his new home, for game was plentiful and he had a keen taste for hunting. He received the principal part of his education in Georgia, and after coming to Arkansas remained with his father until about grown. In the spring of 1862 he organized a company and was organized into Col. King’s regiment, Twentieth Arkansas. Mr. Wheeler went out as its captain, but below Corinth they disbanded and Capt. Wheeler returned home. He then followed farming for some time, and later again enlisted, serving in the quartermaster’s department until after the surrender in 1865. Returning home, Capt. Wheeler embarked in the mercantile business, which he has since carried on. He is the oldest merchant in Bradley County, beginning in 1856, and has continuously carried it on, paying 100 cents on the dollar. In 1879 and 1880 he served as a member of the State Legislature, has been mayor of the town several times, and is one of Bradley County’s most eminent and enterprising citizens. He is a thorough business man, and is one of the largest real estate owners in Southern Arkansas. He has been president of the school board for twelve or fifteen years, is now president of the M. & P. Bank, of Warren, and has always taken an active part in every public enterprise for the interest of the county. He was married, in October, 1865, to Miss Amelia C. Ederington, who bore him two children, daughter, who died in infancy, and a son, John N., who is now a member of the senior class at the State University and will graduate this fall. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.