Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

John F. and Emma Wheeler, 8 South 43 West



In 1870 Warren County, Iowa, Enos Wheeler is farming, 47, with Mary 34. John is 15, Simon 14, Leora 11, Mary 9, Oren 4, and Millard six months.
Enos Wigglesworth Wheeler 1823-1907 is buried in Omaha # 48223110, with Mary Ann (Cherry) Wheeler 1837-1897 # 48223045.

August 1, 1907
John F. Wheeler and Emma J. Miller married in Warren County on April 1, 1879.
One tree said she was the daughter of Abram Timmerman Miller and Mary Catherine Cook.

In 1880 Warren County, Iowa, John F. Wheeler is farming, 25, with Emma 22, both born in Iowa.

John claimed a quarter in section 33, 8S 43W in 1908.
He might have been in Kit Carson County because of a relationship with the Blackman family.
In 1900 Lincoln, Nebraska "Don" Blackman, born Dec 1869 in Illinois, is a seamstress, married 17 years but no spouse. Pearl June 1885 born in Missouri and Morris R. January 1895 in Colorado are with her. They're next to Solomon Wheeler June 1863 and Florence May 1865, both born in Iowa, Thomas March 1890 and Lottie Sept 1894 Wheeler were born in Nebraska.
John is a teamster in 1910 Omaha, Nebraska, 54, with Emma I. 52. Frank is 24, Alice 18 and Homer 18, all three born in Nebraska. Emma's mother Catherine Miller 73 born in Indiana is with them.

1911


In 1920 Omaha, John and Emma are living with daughter Alice and her husband George C. Clark and their two sons.

John and Emma are alone in 1930 Omaha.

John 1854-1937 is buried in Omaha # 6288374, with Emma Jane (Miller) Wheeler 1858-1940 # 6288373.

November 27, 1937 Omaha

November 19, 1940 Omaha

ALICE

George Cessna Clark 1882-1955 # 36221981 and Alice May (Wheeler) Clark 1888-1981 # 36222022 are buried in Omaha.

Jack F. Clark, a B-29 instructor, was killed at Clovis, New Mexico September 15, 1944. He's buried in Omaha # 36222085. He was survived by his wife Bette Hughes, daughter o Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hughes of Omaha.
"Robert Gilder Clark, 87 years old and a resident of Urbana, Ill., for 16 years, died January 30, 2005. He was born October 21, 1917, to George C. and Alice (Wheeler) Clark in Omaha, Nebraska, where he graduated from high school in 1935.
Bob attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduating with a degree in economics in 1939. He subsequently got a BS degree in electrical engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines in 1947 and an MS in nuclear engineering from Oregon State University in 1963.
Following his graduation from the University of Nebraska, he moved to California where he got a job with Douglas Aircraft and married his first wife, Janice Nuess, in 1942. Bob joined the Army during World War II, and was in training with the Office of Strategic Services, (OSS - intelligence). He was about to be dropped behind enemy lines in China to radio back Japanese movements when the war ended. He was in the Army Reserves for many years, retiring as a Major during the Viet Nam war, which he opposed. He subsequently became active in Democratic Party politics.
Bob and Janice had four children, Jack, Barbara, David, and Douglas, who survive him. He and Janice moved to Richland, Washington in 1948 where Bob had a job with General Electric. Throughout his career in Richland he worked in various aspects of the nuclear industry from health physics to managing a nuclear test reactor. In 1978 Bob was named the Tri-Cities Engineer of the Year and was appointed by the governor to serve on the State Board for Professional Engineers. Bob retired from Battelle Northwest in 1988 after more than 35 years in the nuclear industry.
After Janice died in 1964, Bob had the privilege of falling in love and marrying twice more. He married Jane Hatcher of Kennewick, WA in 1968, blending his family with Jane's. Her three children David Hatcher, Sue Gacek and Tom Hatcher survive him as well. Jane died in 1987. His parents preceded him in death, as did his brother, Jack (1944.) Fifteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren whose lives he loved to watch unfold, also outlive him.
Bob met his present wife, Olive (Brewster) Cocker Schultz, who was also twice widowed, at an Elderhostel in New Mexico in the spring of 1988. They married later that year. Olive enticed him from Washington State to Urbana where she enfolded him into her family (daughter Susan Hopkins, and son, Mark Cocker,) friends, and the Urbana community. These past four years brought many health challenges for Bob, which they both met with grace and dignity.
Bob will be remembered for his kindness and thoughtfulness to his family and friends, and his passion for progressive causes. He loved to spend time with his family, play golf (holding a 2 to 7 handicap for quite some time), and travel. He and Olive enjoyed many trips, either through the Elderhostel program or on their own. He did a variety of volunteer work with Retired Senior Volunteers Program in the Urbana area and at Provena hospice. "

HOMER

Homer Wheeler of Omaha married Leah Winslow of Burlington, both 21, on October 3, 1911 in Burlington.

Homer Wheeler registered for WWI in Burlington, Colorado, farming, born July 23, 1891 in Omaha, with a wife and child.

FRANK

Frank Lester Wheeler registered for WWII, living at 3431 Taylor Street in Omaha, with Esther. He was born November 15, 1887 in Omaha.

California death index has him dying January 26, 1968 in Ventura County, born November 15, 1885.

WILLIAM

William Ellsworth Wheeler registered for WWII in Omaha, born November 21, 1882 in Norwalk Iowa, living in the Commerical Hotel. His nearest relative was Fbrother Frank L. Wheeler of 3431 Taylor St. Omaha,

He had a Social Security claim on June 11, 1951.

JOHN'S SIBLINGS

1907 Fort Collins, Colorado " Among those who spent Sunday in Poudre canon were Dr. and Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Rohling and children, Mr. and Mrs. Epley and baby, Mr. Todd, Mrs. S. P. Wheeler and brother, J. F. Wheeler of Burlington, Colorado, Arthur and Mabel Wheeler, and Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Lighter and family."
September 1907 "J. F. Wheeler of Burlington, Colorado, is the guest of his brother, S. P. Wheeler and family."

June 1907 "S. P. Wheeler received a message from Omaha, Nebraska, announcing the critical illness of his father. Owing to illness in his own family, Mr. Wheeler will not go to Omaha."

January 1909 "Mr. and Mrs. Emery Wheeler came down from Denver this afternoon and will be the guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Wheeler on New Year's day."

Harry B. Kneller 43 and Nina Alma McNeil, 24 married in Colorado Springs June 6, 1906.

Harry M. Kneller is in Colorado Springs in 1910, 53, born in Canada, with Lottie 47 born in Iowa. Charlie 22 was born in Nebraska, Agnes 18 in Colorado.

February 1909 "Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kneller of Colorado Springs, son, Charles, and daughter, Agnes, came Thursday evening and are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Wheeler. The visitors gave Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler quite a surprise when she found them in possession of her home upon returning from attending Dr. Banks' lecture at the M. E. church. Mrs. Kneller is a sister of Mr. Wheeler."

Charles Wheeler, son of S.P., married Zaphora Bales in May 1909 in Fort Collins.

December 1910 "Arthur Wheeler, son of S. P. Wheeler of this city, died last Sunday at Santa Cruz, California, after a short illness from appendicitis. The deceased will be remembered as the founder and operator of the Wheeler laundry on W. Mountain avenue."

1924 Santa Cruz, California "Miss Mabel Wheeler, popular and efficient assistant secretary of the chamber of commerce, is again back at her desk after enjoying a delightful two weeks' vacation, a great part of which was given over to a motor trip to Los Angeles and other southern resorts and points of interest. Miss Wheeler left by motor for Los Angeles a little over a week ago, in company with her parents."

June 10, 1937 Santa Cruz, California
"Funeral services for Simon P. Wheeler, esteemed 81-year-old retired citizen who died yesterday at his home, will be held on Saturday at 10 a. m. at the Wessendorf mortuary. Interment will be in the Oakwood cemetery. Mr. Wheeler, a native of Iowa, was engaged in farming in that state before his removal to Fort Collins, Colo., and subsequently to Santa Clruz. Here he was for many years connected with the Kerriek Laundry. He had been in ill health for the past several years. Both Mr. Wheeler, his wife, Mrs. Martha Wheeler, and daughter, Miss Mabel Wheeler, who survive, were prominent in activities of the First Methodist church. Surviving besides the widow and daughter, secretary of the Santa Cruz chamber of commerce, are two sons, Charles L. Wheeler of Salt Lake City and Emery Wheeler of Denver; two sisters, one in Omaha and one living in southern California, and three grandchildren." 1967 Santa Cruz " Miss Mabel Wheeler, long time resident who helped make Santa Cruz a "convention city," will be 80 years old next Thursday. Local friends who wish to send birthday cards may address them to her in care of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Wheeler, 518 H street, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Miss Wheeler is remembered for her work with the Chamber of Commerce on the first Miss California pageant, and for her civic and organizational projects which were many, according to old friends. Mrs. Vera McKenna Clayton recalls that Miss Wheeler helped originate the annual Santa Cruz Birthday party celebrations which for so many years were a state-wide drawing card. She also assisted Leslie Cranborne with programming the first Miss California Pageant in 1924. From 1928 to 1935 Miss Wheeler was placed in complete charge of Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce after serving as assistant secretary for several years, according to Melvin McRae. "Mabel was a one-man institution, busy every day seeing that the Chamber of Commerce forged ahead," McRae noted.
The Wheeler family home was on North Branciforte avenue where the Masonic temple now stands. Mabel's mother, (Martha Kerrick), was a sister of the late W. O. Kerrick, a mayor of Santa Cruz. Miss Wheeler was a member of Eastern Star, Santa Cruz Business and Professional Women and First Methodist church. Following an auto accident in the 1940s she moved to Beulah Rest Home in Oakland. During the recent holidays she moved to Salt Lake to be with relatives."


This one doesn't seem to be related, but has an interesting account.
"
August 1903 Fort Collins, Colorado
"On Saturday afternoon the Courier enjoyed the pleasure of a brief visit from J. F. Wheeler of Horton, Kansas, who, with his wife, is visiting his daughter, Mrs. A. C. Kalmus. During the early 80's Mr. Wheeler was a government freighter engaged in hauling supplies from the Missouri river to the various military posts on the western plains. In 1864, the year Camp Collins was established, he delivered twenty-six wagonloads of corn and bacon, each wagon being drawn by six yoke of oxen, to the post here, and this is his first visit to what was then known as Camp Collins he has made since that time. When he arrived here on the first visit the soldiers were living in tents situated on the river bank, but were engaged in building log houses for winter quarters. There were but few settlers on the Cache la Poudre at that time, and these were miles apart. He was forty days making the trip from Atchison, Kansas, to Camp Collins.
On leaving Atcbison with the trainload of supplies the quartermaster said to those in charge, "Now, boys, you must follow up on the South Platte until you come to Latham station, where you must cross to the north side and follow up a stream known as the 'Cache la Pou', which puts into the Platte at that point, until you come to a camp of soldiers. There you will unload and return to Atchison."
The Indians were very troublesome that year, but the train he was with was fortunate iu escaping a conflict with them. Raids were made on trains ahead and back of them, but they slipped through without meeting any redskins.
Speaking of that time Mr. Wheeler said that if the government had told him then that he could have the whole country if he would stay in it ton years he would have rejected the offer with scorn. "I never dreamed then, said he, that this section could be transformed into such a beautiful and fruitful country as you have here now. I am simply amazed at the change."
Mr. Wheeler, who is also an old-time friend of Mr. Connor of Wellington, will remain in Fort Collins several days."



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