Wheaton, James 1814-1904

WHEATON, REED

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/29/2010 at 08:52:38

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Feb. 9, 1904

JAMES WHEATON

James Wheaton was born in Manchester, Vt., April 1814. An only son he grew to manhood on his father's farm near the village which is overshadowed by the lofty Mt. Equinox. He had the ordinary advantages of the common school of those days. As his father became advanced in age the care of the farm devolved upon the son. About 1858 he married Miss Mary A. Reed and a most estimable young lady of the neighboring town of Pawlet. Four chidlren were born to them in Manchester, John J., Mary, Charles and George, all of whom survive. Though a successful farmer and stock raiser, out of debt on his 400 acres, part of which he had added, popular in his native town where he was prominent in public affairs, he was not satisfied with the increasing unproductiveness of the soil which was poorer than many parts of Vt., so in 1867 he sold the old farm whose best crop was maple sugar and went to New Jersey and invested in a fruit farm. The season was unfavorable for the sandy soil and the fruit crop a failure. Mr. Wheaton and wife were somewhat discouraged. They knew of the rich soil of Iowa and from some acquaintances here had heard of the good town and people of Grinnell, so they sold the New Jersey property at considerable loss and came here in 1869. That they might have the best opportunities for the education of the children they bought the farm just north of this city where they lived the rest of their lives.

Mr. Wheaton was a man well informed, self reliant, of sterling integrity, independent and strong in his convictions, but charitable to others. He practiced the christian virtues in the family and in his intercourse with others, though he made no public profession of religion, but he told his friends that for many years he had had full trust in Christ and that he had no fear of death.

It seems to us a long time since his birth. He was cotemporary with every president except Washington, was born before Jackson's battle of New Orleans, and before Napoleon and Wellington fought at Waterloo. Our country has increased in population and wealth tenfold since he first saw the light of day. Steamboats were then but just launched and the steam car was unknown and science seems to us to have been then almost in its infancy.

He exceeded by eight or ten years the age of his parents, being almost ninety years old. It may be well to notice his habits which resulted in so long a life. He was temperate, never used ardent spirits or tobacco and for the past twenty years no tea or coffee. Though a hard worker in early and middle life, he took good and regular sleep at night. He was of a cheerful disposition and was very rarely moved to anger and the ills and vexations of life were much softened by a vein of pleasantry and humor very common in his intercourse with the family and with others. His life was full of helpfulness and good will. His funeral was at the home Wednesday, Feb. 4. The services were conducted by Rev. E.M. Vittum and the body laid to rest in Hazelwood Cemetery.
A.J.B.

CARD OF THANKS.

We desire to express our sincere thanks to all those who so kindly assisted in our father's sickness and death.
MARY WHEATON.
CHARLEY WHEATON.
IDA WHEATON.