Obituary from the Spring Valley Sun, January 16, 1936.

John C. Wheeler was born at Brookville, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, June 12, 1844 and died January 8, 1936 at the home of his son Perry, being 91 years, six months and 27 days old.

He married Caroline Noble of Butler, Wis., July 4, 1863. In 1868 they moved to Rock Elm, being among the early pioneers. To them four children were born - Francis (Mrs. Ransom Hill) deceased, Manley of Portersville, Calif., and Ursa and Perry, of Elmwood. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Ida Ryan of Waukesha and two half Sisters Marcia and Florence of Pierre, SD, Marsha, two half brothers Warrn of Waukesha, and Roland of Milwaukee. Tow Sisters (Mrs. Amelia Peterson of Elmwood and Mrs. Elizabeth Higgens of Portland, Oregon) and two brothers (George of Hastings, Neb., and Judd of Iowa preceded him in death. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Mr. Wheeler, last of the Pierce County Civil War veterans, enlisted at Pewaukee on Jan, 21, 1862, in Co. A, 17th Wisconsin Infantry. He received a disability discharge on April 25, 1862. He later reenlisted in Co. G, 28th Wisconsin Infantry on Aug. 10, 1862, and again was discharged due to disability on May 4, 1863.

He was married the second time to Mrs. Sarah Holt, of Elmwood who died January 1, 1933. Mr. Wheeler had been an invalid nearly two years.

Those attending the funeral from a distance were B. Wrigley, Commander of the Eagle Post G.A.R., Harry H. Brown, Commander of Sons of Veterans, C.H. Dean, Con. Wilkom and Ben Haag, of Eau Claire, Harry Hill of Durand and Mr. and Mrs. Harding, of Arkansas.

During the years Mr. Wheeler's active life he was liked and respected by all as an honorable, upright and intelligent citizen and a good neighbor. He was an industrious successful farmer, living for many years on his farm just north of Rock Elm Center.

Sources: Spring Valley Sun, January 16, 1936
Janet Eiler - Winnebegoland Genealogical Society
Ancestry.com; 1890 Veterans Schedule, American Civil War Soldiers Database
Wisconsin Roster of Volunteers, War of the Rebellion

Researched by Vince Barker

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