WHEELER, JAY N.

WHEELER, HOUGH, SARCHETT

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/5/2003 at 14:31:28

Biography reproduced from page 172 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Jay N. Wheeler, the present postmaster of Germania, was for a long period engaged in farming in Kossuth county, but twenty years ago he withdrew from the work of the fields and cam to town, and during the intervening years has figured prominently in municipal affairs. He was born in Fayette county, Iowa, and is a son of Albert and Elizabeth (Hough) Wheeler, who removed to Kossuth county when their son was a child of three years. They settled on a farm located six miles north of Algona, that had never been cultivated and began pioneering. The first season was very dry, their crops were a failure and they suffered the usual hardships incident to an experience of this kind. The mother passed away while they were living there and the father subsequently went to Burt to live, but later returned to Algona.

J. N. Wheeler received one year’s schooling in Valparaiso, Indiana, but the remainder of this education was obtained in the public schools of Kossuth county. He was trained to agricultural pursuits, and in his early manhood he acquired a farm of one hundred and sixty acres located in Union township, this county a mile and a half from the old family homestead. He continued to reside there and engaged in general farming and stock-raising until twenty years ago when he came to Germania to live. When he first came to town Mr. Wheeler erected the elevator now owned by George H. Wheelock and engaged in the hay business, in which commodity he still deals. He has prospered in his undertakings and in addition to his other interests owns one of the finest residences in the town.

Mr. Wheeler married Miss Opal V. Sarchett, a teacher in Union township and a daughter of Thomas Sarchett, formerly a farmer in that township, but now a resident of Algona. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, as follows: Marian, who is studying music in New York city; Leland, assistant postmaster; Lucille, a high-school student in Algona; Doris, who is attending school; and Gladys, who died at the age of two months.

The family affiliate with the Church of Christ and Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Yeomen. In politics he is a republican, and since July 24, 1906, he has been postmaster in Germania, having been appointed to this office upon the resignation of C. C. Wortman. They have two rural routes, one covering twenty-three miles and the other twenty-seven, both of which were established when Mr. Wortman was in office. Mr. Wheeler has been a trustee of Ledyard township for eighteen successive years and was for several terms president of the board and for twelve years he served on the school board. He was also mayor for twelve years, his last term expiring in April, 1912, and he is committeeman in this precinct. Mr. Wheeler became a resident of Kossuth county during the early pioneer days and for five years lived in a sod house in Union township. He began his education in a sod schoolhouse and heard his first sermon in the sod house, where he attended Sunday school. He is one of the widely known and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and in both his public and private life has manifested the most upright principles and highest standards of integrity.