Allen B. Wheeless 1826-1914

WHEELESS, ROUNTREE, BARNES, PLACE, LUX

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/2/2018 at 11:38:32

A. B. Wheeless, one of the solid pioneers of Delaware county, was born in Elkton, Washington county, Illinois, February 16, 1826. His father, Hezekiah Wheeless, was born in Tennessee in 1801. His mother was Nancy Rountree, a native of Kentucky.

Alllen B. Wheeless was reared on a farm at a time when the country was new and sparely settled. He attended the common schools as a boy, and remained on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he enlisted in the Mexican war, which began in 1864. He joined the Second Illinois regiment and served through the war. He participated in the battle of Buena Vista. During his years of service in the Mexican war he was never captured or wounded. He was a great admirer of Colonel Bissell, who commanded his regiment, and General Zackary Taylor, who commanded the entire United States troops. He was the last survivor of the Mexican war.

Mr. Wheeless came to Delaware county in 1851, and settled on a farm in North Fork township. At the time Mr. Wheeless settled in the county this country was inhabited largely by Indians, and wild game was plentiful. IN 1848 Mr. Wheeless was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Barnes, a native of Kentucky. To this union thirteen children were born. Mrs. Wheeless passed away in 1872. In 1874, Mr. Wheeless was married to Achsa A. Place, a native of New York. To this union four children were born. The children who survive their father are: Stephen Wheeless of Portland, Oregon; Henry of Burno, Wyoming, Uriah of Hopkinton, and Perry and Frank of Hopkinton: Mrs. W. P. Lux of Hopkinton.

Mr. Wheeless had always taken an active part in the councils of the Democratic party of the county. He has been prominent and influential at various conventions. For years he held the office of Justice of the Peace and served the city of Hopkinton in the capacity of councilman. He was an honored member of the Masonic lodge, and a strong worker in the cause of temperance. During his many years of residence in Hopkinton Mr. Wheeless took an active interest in the work of the Methodist church, giving unstintingly of his means and time.

The tragic death of Mr. Wheeless brings genuine grief to his host of friends in the county. In his death the community of Hopkinton and Delaware county lose one of its time honored Christian men. To the members of his family this paper extends sincere sympathy.

Manchester Democrat - Manchester, Iowa - July 22, 1914