William H. lives near by, and divides his time between farming and teaching.
William H. Wheeler, P. O., Miami. The subject of this sketch is a son of one of the early settlers of this county, and was born in Miami township, December 23, 1839, and was educated at the Miami academy, but did not graduate, as the war came on and discontinued the school. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the Missouri state guards, company A, 2nd regiment, Parson’s division, as second sergeant, and was discharged at the end of six months. He was at the battle of Lexington, Missouri. In October, 1864, he enlisted in company H, Slayback’s regiment, as orderly, and remained to the end of the war. Was in all the battles of the last invasion of Missouri by Price’s army, besides many hard marches and running fights. The provision supply of the army was very meager, and for weeks he only ate bread once, living on beef, horse flesh, mule steak, roasting ears, elm bark, etc. Returned to Saline at the end of the war, and engaged in farming first then teaching. Was principal of the Miami public schools two years. In 1880 he was elected to a position in the Miami Savings Bank, of which he is now a director, and secretary of the bank, and is devoting his whole time to the banking business. Mr. Wheeler was married January 23, 1867, to Miss Jennie E. Fishback; no children. He has been a member of the Baptist Church ever since 1855, and is church clerk and one of the deacons. He has held the office of justice of the peace two years, and has never had one of his decisions reversed by a higher court.
