p 1584

DR. WALTER A. WHEELER.
No science presents a wider field for never-ceasing study, marvelous skill and delicate artistry than that of dentistry and Dr. Walter A. Wheeler is one who fulfills not only its requirements, but its splendid possibilities successfully. Born and reared here, his loyalty is of particularly high order and he has achieved the highest success of good citizenship, possessing the spirit of civic altruism and the keen recognition of individual obligation to the public weal. Dr. Wheeler was born in the vicinity of Albion, August 10, 1872, the son of John Wheeler, who was born in 1830 and passed away in 1875. He was a native of Wabash county and of English descent, his father having been born in the Mother Country. Dr. Wheeler,'s father was reared amid the rural surroundings of his father's homestead farm and was a wheelwright by trade. He took as his wife Isabella Schofield, who is living at the age of seventy-seven years and who is likewise of English parentage. This admirable lady makes her home with Dr. Wheeler, who is the youngest of a family of four children. Carrie resides at Chicago; Samuel is a citizen of Mt. Carmel; and Alfred is located at Trinidad, Colorado.

Dr. Wheeler was educated in the common schools and subsequently entered the Southern Collegiate Institute, at that time known as the Albion Normal University, In the meantime he determined upon his career and began his preparation for dentistry in the Indiana Dental University from which he received his degree in 1903, standing at the head of a class of over sixty members. In Albion he hung up his professional shingle and in the ensuing years has built up a lucrative and constantly growing practice.

On June 16, 1910, Dr. Wheeler entered the ranks of the Benedicts, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Sarah E. Hodgson, daughter of Charles Hodgson, who was engaged in the milling business in this place up to the time of his death, which occurred on March 30, 1912. Their union has been blessed by the birth of a son, Julian Carl. Both Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler are aligned with the best interests of Albion and popular members of society. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the doctor is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias of Albion.

The doctor's honored father, the late John Wheeler, was a veteran of the Civil war, his enlistment taking place in April, 1861, when our gallant ship of state was first threatened with destruction on the rugged rocks of disunion. He was a member of Company B, of the Sixty-third Illinois Infantry and he served until the last of the conflict, being

p 1585

mustered out at Washington after the Grand Review in June, 1865. He was in many battles, marched with Sherman to the sea and participated in the Atlanta campaign.