USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > History of Grafton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its early settlement by the Indians in 1647 to the present time, 1879. Including the genealogies of seventy-nine of the older families > Part 50
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583
FAMILY GENEALOGIES.
continued in that business for thirty-five years, and accumulated a large property. He was for a number of years town treasurer, and has rep- resented Grafton in the Legislature, besides holding other minor offices. For twenty-five years he was a director and the president of the Mill- bury Bank. He was also a director in the People's Insurance Company of Worcester, and at the formation of the First National Bank of Grafton, he was chosen its president, and held that position at the time of his death. He built many of the best buildings in Grafton, and con- tributed largely by his energy and perserverance to the growth, pros- perity and business interests of his native town. He was a man of un- tiring industry, sound judgment, and strict honesty and integrity, and by his death Grafton has suffered a loss which will be severely felt by all her citizens. Captain Warren leaves a widow and two sons, Horace S. Warren, of Grafton, and John D. Warren, of Worcester."- Worces- ter Daily Spy. Children,
1. JONATHAN C., b. July 18, 1825, m. Lizzie Forbush (F).
9 2. HORACE S., b. Oct. 16, 1827, m. Helen M. Taft.
3. GEORGE W., b. Oct. 8, 1831.
4. JOHN D., b. Jan. 29, 1834, m. Oct. 29, 1863, Jane E. Wheeler (W). He d. in Worcester, June 21, 1878.
"Mr. Warren was a son of Jonathan Warren, of Grafton, who, in his day, was one of the best known business men in the State, being for many years engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. John D. began business with his father, and then went to Boston, where he re- muined in the boot and shoe trade until about three years ago. He came to this city to live in 1865, purchasing the fine residence of the late General Hobbs, on State street. Subsequently he boarded at the Lincoln House, remaining there until he purchased the residence No. 941 Main street. Last year he bought out the retail coal business of J. S. Rogers & Co., and was thus engaged at the time of his death. Mr. Warren married a daughter of Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, of Grafton, and she with one child survives him. He was a member of Quinsiga- mond Lodge, F. and A. M., having recently received his degrees. He was a very genial and social man, with a large circle of friends, who will sincerely regret his sudden decease. He was proprietor of the city coal yard on Southbridge street, and well known in business circles in this city and Boston. He died of pneumonia, at his residence, No. 941 Main street."- Worcester Daily Spy.
5. SARAH B., b. Aug. 5, 1836, m. John L. Baker (B). She d. s. p. 6. HANNAH H., b. Sept. 22, 1838, d. Aug. 15, 1865.
7-7 CHARLES IRA WARREN, (Jonathan, Silas, Capt. Daniel, Ensign John, Daniel, John), b. Ang. 29, 1801, m. 1827, Huldah C. Goddard (G), b. May 1, 1805, d. Aug. 14, 1871. He d. Mar. 22, 1872. Children, 1. SARAH A., b. Sept. 29, 1828, m. James W. Mckenzie.
He was born January 1, 1830, in Pictou, N. S. During the late war of the Rebellion he served as corporal and sergeant in the Fifth Regi- ment. When the militia was reorganized, after the war, he was ap- pointed lieutenant of the company raised here, and subsequently was captain. He has been for several terms commander of the G. A. R. Post here. Since 1865 he has been engaged in manufacturing boots and shoes, and dressing leather. He was selectman for two years. His son, George A., was b. Ang. 23, 1854.
2. LEVI G., b. Oct. 16, 1831, d. Dec. 11, 1836.
3. LUCY E., b. Feb. 13, 1838. d. July 7, 1838.
4. CHARLES A., b. Sept. 11, 1842, d. Ang. 20, 1843.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
8-9 | RUFUS E. WARREN, (Jonathan, Silas, Capt. Daniel, Ensign John, Daniel, John), b. July 30, 1805, m. Almira Brown. She d. Feb. 19, 1858; m. 2nd, Hannah M. Wood (W).
He was for many years in active business, being a manufacturer of boots and shoes and in the currying business. He has filled many im- portant town offices of trust and honor, has been a member of the Board of Selectmen, Representative to the General Court, and for twenty-one years town treasurer. He is now engaged in agriculture. .
Children,
1. JANE E., b. May 11, 1832, unm. Teacher in our Grammar School. 2. ELLEN E., b. July 10, 1834, unm.
9-2 HORACE S. WARREN, (Jonathan, Jonathan, Silas, Capt. Daniel, Ensign John, Daniel, John), b. Oct. 16, 1827, m. Nov. 4, 1858, Helen M. Taft, b. Feb. 10, 1838.
He resided with his father and in 1850 engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in company with him and his brother Jonathan C. (Jonathan Warren & Co.) In 1855, the style of the firm was changed to Warren, Conant & Co .; Jonathan C. Warren, Conant and Horace S. Warren. In 1858, Jonathan C. died and the firm name was again changed to Conant, Warren & Co. (Conant, Horace S. and John D. Warren). In 1865, the business was continued by Horace S. until 1875, when he discontinued on account of his father's death. He succeeded him in his estate on which he now resides.
Ch.,
1. FRANK H., b. Dec. 30, 1866.
ZACHARIAH WARREN, m. April 1, 1755, Desire Marsh, of Sutton, b. Ang. 5, 1737. The Grafton record says Zachariah; the Sutton record says Zachra. Children,
1. LYDIA, b. Mar. 23, 1756. 2. BENJAMIN, b. Sept. 8, 1758.
3. ARTEMAS, b. July 20, 1763.
4. THOMAS, b. Dec. 3, 1766, d. Nov. 2, 1767.
5. NATHANIEL, b. Dec. 5, 1768.
6. LUCY, b. Dec. 29, 1772, d. Aug. 31, 1775.
MARRIAGES.
Daniel Warren, of Upton, m. Sarah Batcheller, Aug. 8, 1786. Charles Warren, of Grafton, m. Esther Daniels, Nov. 26, 1828. Elisha Warren, of N. Braintree, m. Eunice Whipple, May 28, 1793.
WHEELER.
THOMAS WHEELER was in Concord with a family in 1640, and in 1675 accompanied Capt. Hutchinson, himself then a captain, with about twenty men to Quabaog, now Brookfield, to treat with the Indians. They were there drawn into an ambush, and suddenly fired upon by the perfidious Indians and eight of their number were instantly killed. Capt. Hutchinson was mortally wounded, had his horse shot under him, and when near being dispatched by the enemy, was rescued by his son, Thomas, he also being wounded, who placed his father upon a horse whose rider was slain, and both succeeded by flight in saving their lives. Capt. Wheeler d. in 1676.
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FAMILY GENEALOGIES.
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EBENEZER WHEELER, (Ebenezer, John, George), b. in Concord, Jan. 5, 1716, m. Rachel Wood, of Upton, d. April 27, 1751; m. 2nd, Lois Corbit, d. March 29, 1753; m. 3rd, Sept. 5, 1753, Mrs. Priscilla Hayward, b. Aug. 27, 1726. He d. Feb. 24, 1801. Children,
1. EBENEZER, b. April 13, 1741, d. young. 2. EBENEZER d. Oct. 24, 1759.
3. JONATHAN, b. April 2, 1743, m. Anna Rand and Mary Rawson.
4. RACHEL, b. Jan. 14, 1745, m. Timothy Winter.
5. ZACHEUS, b. Sept. 30, 1749. 6. SUSANNA, b. Oct. 4, 1746 d.
7. SUSANNA, m. John Thurston (T).
8. MARY, b. March 20, 1751. 9. NATHAN, b. April 6, 1752. 10. EPHRAIM, b. June 7, 1754, m. Hannah Goodell.
11 PRISCILLA, b. June 1, 1755, m. Lewis Thurston (T).
12. JAMES, b. Dec. 22, 1756, m. Vashti Bigelow.
13. REBECCA, b. Aug. 24, 1758, m. James Dexter.
14. SALLY, b. Nov. 5, 1760, m. Ithamer Smith (S).
15. ESTHER, b. May 4, 1763.
4 |16. EBENEZER, b. Oct. 15, 1764, m. Susanna Ruggles.
17. ANNA, b. Aug. 30, 1767, m. John C. Pratt.
1-3 |COL. JONATHAN WHEELER, (Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. April 13, 1741, m. April 2, 1765, Anna Rand, b. Oct. 2, 1744, d. Aug. 10, 1777; m. 2nd, Feb. 12, 1778, Mercy Rawson, b. Aug. 13, 1757, d. Oct. 28, 1834. He d. Oct. 9, 1811, after a busy and active life. "Until the fore part of January preceding his death, he had the faculty of knowing all his former acquaintances; and, singular to relate, when asked how he was his answer was uniformly-" pretty well " or "very well." Com- plaining at no time of pain or distress, always expressing himself with a smile, with calmness and seemingly with composure, his strength and faculties seemed to go together until he became helpless and senseless at the close of life. His first settlement after marriage was in the centre of the town, where he entered into trade, but not having so much success as he could wish he closed his business in that line in 1774, and purchased a tract of almost all wild land in the northwesterly part of this town of about 134 acres, and at his decease his farm con- sisted of about 413 acres under his own improvement, and was appraised by men under oath to be at the value, including a pew in cach meeting- house at $10,470, exclusive of his personal estate. In March, 1786, he was chosen to command the north company of militia here and received his commission from James Bowdoin, Esq., then Governor of Massa- chusetts, in which command he remained until Sept., 1793, when he was chosen Lieut .- Col. Commandant by the Second Regiment, second brigade and seventh division of the militia of this common- wealth, when at his own request he received Feb., 1800, an honora- ble discharge from the Commander-in-chief. In April, 1800, he was chosen superintendent of the Aqueduct Corporation in Boston, by the stockholders, which office he held for three years with reputation to himself and great credit to the works. From 1775, to his illness, he was a laborious farmer and one of the first in the circle of his county. Though often engaged in other undertakings sometimes in trade and other business, yet he never lost sight of his chief delight, which was to cultivate the soil. He was a kind and an affectionate husband, a tender parent, liberal to the poor, a bountiful provider in his house, always a great encourager of schools in the district where he lived and very fond of giving his children an academical education. A promoter of good roads and a firm believer in the Christian religion."
Children,
1. JONATHAN, b. Feb. 19, 1766, m. Hannah H. Abraham.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
5 | 2. GARDNER, b. Dec. 12, 1768, m. Betsey Drury.
6 3. EZEKIEL D., b. Nov. 6, 1770, m. Lucretia Thurston.
7 4. ELHANAN W., b. Sept., 1772.
He graduated at Harvard College; had been in France and vari- ous islands in the West Indies; held a lieutenancy in the American army under the administration of President Adams, commanded by Major-General George Washington, in 1798; he had resided at Charles- ton, S. C., upwards of six years in the mercantile line in which he was much respected, and at his death was of the house of Wheeler & Scott.
5. JASPER, b. Oct., 1776. He d. Aug. 20, 1801, on the Island of Tobago, where he was engaged in mercantile business.
6. ANNA R., b. Feb. 21, 1779, m. John Putnam (P).
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7. JOHN, b. Jan. 28, 1781, m. Hannah Sherman.
8. MARY, b. Sept. 24, 1782, d. Oct. 10, 1782.
9 9. GABRIEL F., b. Aug. 3, 1784, m. Hannah Chapin and Mary T. Burnap. 10. POLLY, b. June 17, 1787, m. Joseph Elliot, Jr. (E).
11. ELBRIDGE G., b. Oct. 11, 1789, d. Nov. 15, 1804.
12. WILLIAM H., b. July 16, 1793.
He died on board the ship John Linton, June 26, 1832, on her passage from New Orleans to New York. " William Harvey Wheeler, youngest son of the late Col. Jonathan Wheeler and Mercy his wife, had he lived to the 10th of July following he would have been thirty-nine years of age; he had spent the winter in New Orleans as an assistant to Mr. John Leland, in the mercantile line; became unwell before he left the city, but by the advice of the faculty took passage as above, as the most probable course to restore his health. But an all-wise Provi- dence decided that he should never more return to his relations and friends in Grafton, but was with countless numbers gone before him buried in the briny ocean in as decent a manner as reported by Mr. Leland, his friend, and with all the solemnity the occasion required."
2-10 EPHRAIM WHEELER, (Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. June 7, 1754, m. June 22, 1772, Ilannah Goodell, b. Sept. 6, 1757. " The ox- cart ran over him and split the bones and put the ankle out of joint." He rev. to Upton in 1774, and then to Alstead, N. H. Children,
1. REUBEN, b. Sept. 23, 1772, d. Dec. 21, 1776.
2. JASPER, b. Nov. 28, 1773, d. Sept. 12, 1775.
3. EPHRAIM, b. Aug. 7, 1775. 4. HANNAH, b. Feb. 5, 1777.
5. WASHINGTON, b. July 22, 1779. 6. JOSEPH, b. May 1, 1781.
7. TIMOTHY, b. Nov. 14, 1782. 8. MARY, b. March 26, 1785.
9. POLLY, b. Jan. 23, 1787, m. Joseph Elliot.
10. REUBEN, b. Feb. 18, 1789. 11. JOHN, b. March 28, 1790.
12. BENJAMIN V., b. Oct. 28, 1793.
13. JONATHAN, and 14, DAVID, twins, b. April 5, 1795.
3-12 JAMES WHEELER, (Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Dec. 22, 1756, m. Feb. 26, 1777, Vashti Bigelow (B). He d. Feb. 15, 1828. Children,
1. PRISCILLA, b. June 23, 1778. 2. SAMUEL, b. Sept. 22, 1780.
3. VASHTI, b. Jan. 31, 1782. 4. JAMES, b. Oct. 8, 1784.
5. ANNE, b. Aug. 2, 1786, d. July 24, 1864, in Vermont.
6. EBENEZER, b. March 13, 1789. 7. EPHRAIM, b. Sept. 30, 1790.
8. HUMPHREY B., b. Aug. 26, 1792.
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FAMILY GENEALOGIES.
9. PARTHENIA, b. Sept. 21, 1794, m. David White (W). 10. EBENEZER, b. July 7, 1796. 11. MARTHA, b. May 17, 1798. 12. ADELINE, b. Jan. 20, 1800. 13. ELMIRA, b. May 2, 1802.
4-16 EBENEZER WHEELER, (Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Oct. 15, 1764, m. Nov. 8, 1787, Susannah Ruggles. Children,
1. POLLY, b. May 4, 1788. 2. EBENEZER, b. Apr. 27, 1791.
3. SUSANNAH, b. Jan. 3, 1792. 4. JOHN R., b. Mar. 17, 1794.
5-1 JONATHAN WHEELER, (Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Feb. 19, 1766, m. Oct. 10, 1798, Hannah H. Abraham, b. Dec. 4, 1764, d. Feb. 25, 1844. He d. Dec. 2, 1843.
6-2 GARDNER WHEELER, (Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Dec. 12, 1768, m. Apr. 16, 1788, Betsey Drury. Children,
1. PATTY, b. Apr. 29, 1787. 2. ELIJAH, b. Feb. 27, 1791.
3. ELHANAN, b. Nov. 26, 1792.
4. ARTEMAS, b. 1796. He d. in Burlington, Vt., Feb. 11, 1822.
He fitted for college in Grafton, and entered Dartmouth College in August, 1813, and was graduated in 1817. He entered the law office of Charles Adams, Esq., of Burlington, and subsequently opened an office in that place. His death was much lamented.
7-3 EZEKIEL D. WHEELER, (Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Nov. 6, 1770, m. June 21, 1792, Lucretia Thurston, b. 1772, d. Mar. 17, 1813. He d. in Barre, Vt., Feb. 25, 1808.
He had served many years as deputy-sheriff in Orange County, with an unblemished reputation, leaving a widow, five daughters and one son, with numerous relatives and an extensive acquaintance, to mourn „his loss. Children,
1. NANCY, m. Charles Robinson. 2. MARY T., m. Roswell P. Keith.
3. LUCRETIA, m. Sept. 14, 1818, Joseph Leland.
4. BETSEY D., b. 1796, d. May 15, 1811.
5. HANNAH A., b. July 13, 1804, m. Oct. 5, 1825, Lewis Mills.
6. JONATHAN D., b. Aug. 14, 1806, m. Elizabeth Davenport and Caro- line A. Norcross.
The following was copied from Mr. Wheeler's gravestone :-
" Expiring nature shrinks with fear, And shudders at the thought of death ; Yet millious who have traveled there Have found a sweet release from earth."
From Mrs. Wheeler's :-
" Aspire my soul to glorious deeds, The captain of salvation leads. March on, nor fear to win the day, Though death and hell obstruct the way."
8-7 | JOHN WHEELER, (Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Jan. 28, 1781, m. Hannah Sherman (S). Children,
11 |1. JOHN, b. Jan. 10, 1804, m. Miriam P. Daniels and Mary L. Hewett.
2. MARCY A., b. Apr. 9, 1817, m. E. R. Thompson. They res. in Wor- cester, and had two children.
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588
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
9-9 | GABRIEL F. WHEELER, (Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Aug. 3, 1784, m. Oct. 18, 1815, Hannah Chapin, b. Feb. 26, 1791, d. May 12, 1817 ; m. 2nd, Dec. 27, 1818, Nancy T. Burnap, b. Apr. 17, 1786, d. May 18, 1870. He d. Mar. 5, 1855.
Children,
1. AMELIA A., b. Mar. 3, 1822, unm.
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2. EDMOND F., b. Nov. 11, 1824, m. Elizabeth Barker.
3. ELHANAN B., b. Apr. 4, 1826, d. Sept. 9, 1850.
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HON. JONATHAN D. WHEELER, (Ezekiel D., Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Aug. 14, 1806, m. Oct. 28, 1830, Elizabeth Davenport, d. May 15, 1832; m. 2nd, Oct. 13, 1834, Caroline A. Nor- cross.
At the early age of seven years he came to Grafton, and resided with his paternal uncle, Jonathan Wheeler, Esq., and while here entered Leicester Academy, from which place he graduated. After graduation he studied languages with Dr. Dodgett, and in 1823 he entered the firm of Earle & Chase (J. Milton Earle and Anthony Chase), in Worcester, as clerk. After remaining here a few years he went to Weston, and en- gaged in mercantile business, where he remained for three years, sub- sequently entering the employ of the Bottomly Manufacturing Com- pany, in Leicester, as chief clerk in their office. In 1829 he came to this town and purchased the store of Samuel Harrington, and with Ebenezer Aldrich as partner conducted the business. While in this business be married Elizabeth Davenport, of Mendon, daughter of Benjamin Davenport. In 1832 he sold out his interest in the concern to Jonathan Warren, and removed to Boston, where he conducted, for five years, a domestic goods commission business at No. 75 Kilby street, under the firm name of Farnum, Mills & Wheeler. During the last two years the firm name was Pierce, Mills & Wheeler. In 1834 he married for bis second wife, Caroline A. Norcross, of Boston, daughter of Otis Norcross, Esq., and sister of Hon. Otis Norcross, ex-mayor of Boston. In the following year, 1837, he formed a co-partnership with Benjamin Poor, and conducted an extensive commission business for nearly two years. In 1839, with Peter Farnum, he purchased of the Wadsworth Manufacturing Company, at Dennyville (Barre), Mass., the large woolen mills, and for a short time conducted an extensive manufactur- ing business. He subsequently sold out to his partner, and returned to Boston. Moving again to Grafton in 1843, he entered into business with Samuel Harrington (firm name, Harrington & Wheeler), and after a short time purchased what is now known as the " Wheeler Cotton Mills," in West Millbury. He is now the treasurer of the corporation, and his son, William H. Wheeler, is president and manager.
In 1863-4 he was a member of Governor Andrew's council from the Sixth Councillor District. In 1868 he represented the Second Worces- ter Senatorial District in the Massachusetts Legislature, and was chair- man of the committee on the Troy and Greenfield Railroad; he declined a re-election. Since the organization of the Grafton National Bank he has been a director, and president since 1864. He was selectman for three years. Children,
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1. LOUIS D., b. Mar. 3, 1837, d. Feb. 6, 1839.
2. WILLIAM H., b. Jan. 17, 1839, m. Ellen P. Washburn.
3. JANE E., b. Mar. 26, 1841, m. John D. Warren (W).
4. SAMUEL N., b. Jan. 16, 1843, d. Oct. 2, 1843.
5. ADDISON N., b. Jan. 21, 1845, d. Sept. 7, 1845.
6. FLORENCE, b. Sept. 8, 1849, d. July 31, 1850.
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Boston.
Heliotype Printing Co.
RESIDENCE OF HON. JONATHAN D. WHEELER.
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589
FAMILY GENEALOGIES.
11-1 | JOHN WHEELER, (John, Jonathan, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, George), b. Jan. 10, 1804, m. Sept. 4, 1831, Miriam P. Daniels, b. Aug. 7, 1807, d. Oct. 28, 1871; m. 2nd, Sept. 11, 1870, Mary L. Hewett, b. July 16, 1831.
The Rev. George S. Ball, of Upton, in a letter to the Christian Regis- ter, referred to Mr. John Wheeler as follows :- " The last called away was Mr. John Wheeler, who died October 28, 1871, aged 67 years and 5 months. Mr. Wheeler was a native of Grafton. He had spent a large portion of his life away from his native place, in places where he had not the opportunity of attending a Unitarian meeting, and hearing a preacher of his own faith. But after many years, and the loss of his wife and some of his children, he returned to spend his last years with his son, W. D. Wheeler, Esq., of Grafton. Here at once he identified himself with Mr. Scandlin's society, and enjoyed the preaching of that faith he had ever maintained and loved. His ability and known charac- ter at once made him prominent among this people, as one to be trusted with any duty as a citizen, or a fellow-worker in the Lord's vineyard. Though suffering for many years, he was always at his post in the church and Sunday school. His last sickness was very painful at times, but though at first his mind faltered under the power of disease, at last it shone out with great brightness, enabling him to talk clearly and freely with his friends. He was most tenderly nursed by a wife to whom he had been married about two years; but no tenderness could ward off the approach of death. He saw it advancing without fear. He remarked, ' his faith he had found good to live by, and was sure it was good to die by.' He has four sons remaining, not one of whom could be with him in his last sickness. Lieutenant Wheeler, command- ing the exploring expedition, to which attention has lately been called through its peril, and the death of the lamented Loring connected with it, and under his brother is W. D. Wheeler, so lately among Mr. Scand- lin's people, and other sous, could not reach his bedside. This to him was a deprivation he deplored, but to which he submitted as unavoid- able. Calmly and trustfully, almost joyfully, passed away this honor- able and good man. The society at Grafton will feel the loss of this and others among their noble ones called away." Children,
14 1. WILLARD D., b. Jan. 17, 1833, m. Sarah M. Forbush (F).
2. HANNAH M., b. Nov. 28, 1834, d. Mar. 9, 1839.
3. JOHN P., b. Feb. 4, 1837, m. Maggie Davidson, and d. July 12, 1863.
4. WILLIAM H., res. Colorado.
5. GEORGE M., b. Oct. 9, 1842, m. Jimmie Blair.
Capt. George Montagne Wheeler, corps of engineers, U. S. army, was born October 9th, 1842, in Grafton, Mass., at the residence of John Wheeler, Sr., near the road leading from Grafton Centre to New Eng- land Village. While at an early age his parents first removed to Men- don, and thence to Hopkinton, Mass., where such education as his health permitted was acquired. His first attendance at the common schools was in the old red School-house, of the square or Puritan pat- tern, at the cross-roads between Hayden Row, of Hopkinton, and Ash- land, subsequently at Hayden Row, and then in the aforenamed district finishing his common school education in his tenth year. Subsequently a course was taken at the Hopkinton Academy, and at the private school of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Wheeler, at Grafton, as well as that of Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, at Hopedale, Mass. At the Academy special pro- ficieney was shown in mathematics, spelling, and the construction of language. Ill health, during the years from fourteen to nineteen, pre- elnded the plan of prosecuting his further mental training, as was in-
590
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
tended at the Law School of Harvard University. While carrying on his studies at Grafton, he was clerk in the store of his brother, W. D. Wheeler, where he obtained his first experience as an accountant. At the outbreak of the rebellion he was confined to his room from serious bronchial afflictions that had reduced him nearly to a skeleton and pre- venting his desired enlistment in the army. His subsequent appoint- ment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, in 1862, prevented him from taking any personal part in the field during the late war.
Entering the Military Academy in 1862, he graduated in 1866, in a class of forty-two as sixth in general standing, and in the principal branches as follows :- Physics, Mechanics, Astronomy, Acoustics and Optics 1, Engineering 2, Mathematics 3, Geology, Mineralogy and Chemistry 5. He was recommended by the Academic Board for pro- motion in all branches of the military service, i. e. : Engineers, Ordin- ance, Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry ; choosing the former, in which he was commissioned second lientenant, June 9, 1866, promoted to first lieuteneney March 7, 1867, and to a captaincy in that corps March 4, 1879.
Upon completion of his graduation, he was assigned to .duty at San Francisco, Cal., under Major Elliot, corps engineers, in charge of fortifications in and about San Francisco harbor. His first professional work was in making topographical surveys in contours of sights for permanent fortifications along the western side of the southern portion of the peninsula of San Francisco, and facing the Golden Gate. Finish- ing this duty he was engaged in the construction of sea wall as a foundation for casemated works near Fort Point in San Francisco harbor, and In providing protection for the sea wall already built, the underly- ing concrete beds of which had become exposed to the direct action of ocean currents. Subsequently having been placed on duty upon the staff of Brigadier-General Ord, Commanding the department of Cali- fornia, his duties were of a more varied nature, including besides the surveys for military reservations, reconnoissance observations for routes of communication, and in the extended reconnoissance of 1869, in southern and southeastern Nevada.
It was during this trip that he conceived the plan of a connected and systematic topographical survey of the entire western mountain domain. Completing the office work of the 1869 expedition, he made his first trip east in the fall of 1870, to be subsequently called to Washington in Feb., 1871, to prepare for extended explorations and surveys in the western interior; and npon the close of the expedition of 1871, presented a sys- tematic plan for the survey by Astronomical, Geodetic and Topographi- cal means and resultant mapping of the entire area west of the 100th meridian, comprising approximately 1,500,000 square miles. The topographical field work was constantly supplementcd by observations and collections in geology, mineralogy, zoology, botany, archaeology, ethnology, and philology, in each of which branches special reports have been made. Congress authorized this plan by act approved, June 10, 1872, and it has since been steadily and boldly advanced under his charge. The area embraced including the year 1878, has been approximately 350,000 square miles, of which more than three-fourths has been published in map form for the current nses of the government, and reproduced by publishers at home and abroad, in charts of varying scales including school atlases for the public. The expeditions have operated in the political divisions of the States of California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado; Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, and the Territories of Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. The publications, embrac- | ing not less than 30 quarto and octavo reports and 60 maps of various
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