R. H. WHEELER.

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         R. H. Wheeler, who owns a fine farming property of one hundred and sixty acres in Elm Grove township, was born in Pennsylvania on the 12th of May, 1858. He is a son of Elisha and Catherine Wheeler, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Maryland. In 1867 they came to Iowa, first locating in Lee county, where they resided for three years. At the end of that time they came to Louisa county, continuing to make this their home until they passed away. Eleven children were born to them, all of whom are living.

         R. H. Wheeler obtained the greater portion of his education in the common schools of this state. His boyhood and youth were very similar to those of all farmer lads, much of his time when not in school being devoted to work upon the home farm. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, following which he worked for two years as a farm hand. Subsequently he went to Missouri, where he farmed as a renter for a year, and then returned to Iowa. Here he was married, after which he went back to Missouri, where he remained for eight years. At the expiration of that period he again took up his residence in Louisa county, where he rented land until 1896 and then bought his present place, which is a portion of the old Porter farm. He has made the improvements on his property and is now successfully engaged in the raising and feeding of cattle in connection with the tilling of the fields.

         For his wife and helpmate Mr. Wheeler choose Miss Anna Porter, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Hugh and Lydia (Maloney) Porter, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1833, locating in the state of New York, where they remained for about ten years, during which time they were . . .

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. . . married. Soon afterward they came to Iowa and bought a farm in Louisa county, where they were residing at the time of their demise. Eight children were born to them, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have five children: Roscoe P, Nellie, Bertha, Mabel and Helen, all still at home.

         Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Mrs. Wheeler of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican but has never held any official position save that of school director, always having preferred to give his undivided attention to the development of his personal interests.