Wheeler, Vernon S.

WHEELER, LINK, SULLIVAN, COKER, WALSH, FARMER, BAIN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/24/2009 at 10:15:23

Wheeler, Vernon S.

One of the progressive young farmers of Jasper County who has been successful in his chosen field of endeavor because he has worked for definite ends along legitimate and approved lines is Vernon S. Wheeler, one of the worthy native sons of this county, born here on July 3, 1872. His parents were John F. and Ellen (Link) Wheeler, natives of Ohio, from which state they came to Jasper County, Iowa, when young and here they were married. The father devoted his early life to farming, but for thirty years prior to his death he was engaged in other business. Before coming to Reasnor he owned forty acres, which he sold upon removing to town and here he engaged in the restaurant, meat and hotel business, which he conducted for twenty years. His death occurred in the town of Reasnor in 1906. He was always a man of vigorous and alert mind, and he took an abiding interest in whatever tended to promote the good of his community. He served in several offices in Palo Alto Township, among them being that of constable. His family consisted of eight children, two of whom, Mrs. J. S. Sullivan and Bertie, an infant, are dead. Those living are: Glen C., Robert E., Don, Vernon S., Mrs. Edward Coker and Mrs. C. B. Walsh, both of Reasnor.

The father of these children was one of the brave sons of the North who served his country ably and well during the days of the Rebellion, having enlisted in 1861 in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years, receiving an honorable discharge. While in the service he took part in several of the most important engagements of the war, among them being the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Helena, Arkansas. He was a member of Garrett Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Newton, and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Reasnor. In that town his widow still resides.

After receiving a good education Vernon S. Wheeler began life for himself when twenty-one years of age as a farmer, and in connection with general farming he did many other things in order to get a start and to earn an honest living. Later he came to Reasnor and conducted a livery business and feed barn for two years, after which he purchased a farm near Kellogg, selling the same a year later, then purchased the one near Reasnor, where he still resides. It consists of sixty-five acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. In connection with his farming business, he keeps for breeding purposes fine domestic and imported stallions, the principal bloods being Percheron, French draft, shire and German coach, the latter being a high-grade bred trotting horse. These animals are greatly admired by all who see them, owing to their superior quality, and Mr. Wheeler is widely known as a horseman, being regarded as one of the best judges of horses in the county.

On February 28, 1901, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage with Nettie Bain, daughter .of Hamilton and Margate (Farmer) Bain, and has proved to be a most loyal and faithful helpmeet, and is a woman of many praiseworthy attributes, having a wide circle of friends here. This union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Ruth, born October 13, 1907; Eva, born November 4, 1909, Buela, born July 29, 1910.

Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Woodmen of the World of Reasnor, being a past sentry of that order. He is an energetic, wide-awake young farmer and businessman to whom the future promises much. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 999.