Clifford Paul Wheeler (1895 - 1961)

Born 19 Apr 1895 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Walburga Cowden McAdam — married 3 Jun 1917 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 17 Mar 1961 at age 65 in Torrance, Los Angeles, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Darlene Kerr [send private message] and Ron Wheeler [send private message]

Biography

Birth and Early Life

Clifford Paul Wheeler was born on 19 April 1895 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States as the fourth of six children to Stewart Monroe Wheeler (1862-1929) and Elizabeth Ann Bosworth (1863-1959). ^{[1] [2]}

He lived with his parents and siblings until he married ^{[3] [4] [5]} and after that he lived next door to them in the beginning.^[6]

Siblings

1. Irvine Thadeous Wheeler was born on 8 April 1886 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. He died on 3 September 1951 in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. Irvine married Mary Katherine maiden name unknown about 1904. 2 children.
2. Leon Ralph Wheeler was born on 25 March 1888 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. He died on 17 September 1958 in Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, United States. Leon married (1) Mary Elizabeth Myers in 1908 in New York. 1 child (2) Beatrice G. Horton (1888- ? ) before 1920.
3. Clyde Alonzo Wheeler was born on 4 August 1891 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. He died on 13 April 1928 in Waterford, Pennsylvania, United States. Clyde married Margaret Mary Ellis (1886-1965) about September 1914. 2 children.
4. Edith Alberta Wheeler was born on 8 September 1900 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. She died on 30 March 1991 in Great Valley, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. Edith married (1) Paul T. Bingerman (1901-1945). 2 children (2) James Erwin A. Bosworth (1902-1991).
5. Donald Albert Wheeler was born on 9 June 1903 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. Donald married Irene Maud Reid (1907-1978) on 24 May 1924 in Cattaraugus County, New York. 2 children. Don died on 2 June 1949 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States.

Marriage and Family

He married Margaret Walburga Cowden McAdam (1898-1963) on 3 June 1917 in Olean, New York when he was 23 and she was 17. They were married by Justice of the Peace James E. Fane.^[7]

Children of the Wheeler-McAdam Marriage

1. Stuart McAdam Wheeler was born on 13 September 1918 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York, United States. He died on 13 December 1931 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, USA at the age of 13, having been assaulted for change from a dollar by two boys.
2. Thomas Irving Wheeler was born on 26 July 1919 in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. He died on 23 December 1978 in Texas, United States. Tommy married Odessa Eubila Lewis (1920-1992) before June 1944. 3 children.
3. Clifford Paul Wheeler, Jr. was born on 31 July 1921 in Atlanta De Kalb, Georgia, United States. He died on 1 January 2007 in Highland, San Bernardino, California, United States. Cliff married (1) Theda Marie Lunn (1921-1980) in January 1942 and had 1 child, divorced in about 1945 (2) Rosella Mae Whitwer on 21 April 1947 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada. 2 children.
4. Virginia Margaret Wheeler was born on 11 May 1923 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States. She died on 22 August 2013 in Orange County, California, United States. Virginia married 1) Jack Elliott Scott on 14 February 1942 in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. 2 children. They divorced in 1964 in San Diego, San Diego, California and 2) Douglas Eugene Scheibel on 10 October 1969 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada.
5. William Wheeler was born on 13 December 1924 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. He died on 15 November 1978 in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States. Willy never married or had children.
6. Hugh Wheeler was born on 11 February 1931 in Pulaski County, Kentucky, United States. He died on 10 November 1986 in Glen Rose, Somervell, Texas, United States. Hugh married Frances Glenn Weaver (1934-1996) about 1955. 3 children.
7. Donald Ernst Wheeler, known as Don, was born on 2 May 1933 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States. He married Carol Ann Dutter on 19 October 1957 in the Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles, California. Don died on 13 April 2019 in Los Angeles County, California, United States. He would have been 86 in just a few weeks.

Cliff and Maggie moved around quite a bit getting work during the difficult 20's years. He always seemed to find work. Their first stop was Atlanta, Georgia where their son Cliff Jr. was born in 1921 which was in the middle of a building boom before the Stock Market Crash. When Virginia was born in 1923, he worked in Somerset, Kentucky. They were back in Olean, New York for the birth of Willy in 1924 and 1925. ^[8]

By the time of his father's death in 1929 they lived again in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky where one son was killed and the last two were born. They returned to Olean in time for Virginia to begin high school there in 1937 and remained there until the entire family moved to Los Angeles County, California in 1942. After the birth of granddaughter Darlene, Maggie went to help the new mother in California. She swore she'd never return to those cold upstate New York winters. After a call to Cliff, he packed up the boys who were left at home and headed out west to live and make a living for the remainder of his life. His son Don told Darlene at Virginia's funeral in 2013 that his dad bought up a lot of property in the area where he built their home in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California and proceeded to build homes either directly for people or on speculation to sell. ^[9]

Occupation and Later Life

Cliff was a carpenter, master cabinet maker all of his life. He had a shop that I loved to go to as a child because he would let me "build" boats and wonderful things with the pieces of wood that were available. The smell of freshly sawn wood still holds very good memories for this granddaughter. His occupation was the reason that he lost an eye. Like so many skilled craftsmen, he did something quickly one day and didn't put on his safety equipment. A wood fragment flew up and he lost the eye. The biggest problem with that handicap was he had to give up his much beloved golf. I guess the depth perception problem got in the way. He had at one time travelled around on the pro-circuit playing in tournaments for money. ^[10]

Death and Burial

Cliff died on 17 March 1961 in Harbor General Hospital, Torrance, Los Angeles, California, United States at the age of 65. Cause of death was subarachnoid hemorrhage and generalized arteriosclerosis (a stroke). ^[11]His wife wondered why he wasn't out of bed yet and went in to check on him. He was unresponsive. Daughter-in-law, Carol (Dutter) Wheeler was there to take Margaret shopping and she called the ambulance. Cliff never regained consciousness according to Carol and they called him at 3:20 P.M. that afternoon. He was buried on 21 March 1961 in the Pacific Crest Cemetery, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, California.^[12] created by Darlene Scott Kerr for her grandpa.

Sources

• 1900 United States Federal Census on 15 June in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Family 310. ^[13]
• 1905 United States Federal Census on 1 June in Olean Ward 06, Cattaraugus, New York. ^[14]
• 1910 United States Federal Census on 19 April in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Page 4A, lines 11-16, family number 57. ^[15]
• 1915 New York State Census on 1 June in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Page 3, lines 5-10. ^[16]
• 1917 United States World War I Draft Registration on 5 June living in Olean, New York. He was a farm laborer living at 44 Madison Avenue and single.
• Olean Evening Herald Marriage Announcement 3 June 1918, Olean, New York.
• 1920 United States Federal Census on 16 February in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Madison Avenue residence. Page 4A, lines 15-18, family 82. ^[17]
• 1925 New York State Census on 1 June in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. 110 1/2 West River Road is their residence. Her sister and family also lived on W. River Rd. Page 27, lines 38-43.^[18]
• 1928 US City Directories, 1821-1989 living on Main St. Newburgh, Beacon, New York.
• Olean Evening Times Father's Obituary Notice on 23 November 1929 in Olean, New York.
• 1930 United States Federal Census. Living on High St., Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky. ^[19]
• 1931 Death Certificate for son Stuart in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky.
• 1936 US City Directories in Olean, New York at 1133 Charles.
• 1938 US City Directories in Olean, New York at 607 Irving Street.
• 1939 US City Directories living at 607 Irving Avenue in Olean, New York.
• 1940 United States Federal Census. Living at 607 Irving St. ^[20]
• Direct information from granddaughter Darlene Scott Kerr
• California Death Index.
• Find A Grave Index.

Footnotes

1. ↑ 1900 Fed Cen
2. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-816L-9HMG?i=4015&cc=1968530&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AKXTK-ZFG
3. ↑ 1900 Fed Cen
4. ↑ 1905 NY Cen
5. ↑ 1910 Fed Cen
6. ↑ 1920 Fed Cen
7. ↑ NY Marr Rec
8. ↑ 1925 NY Census
9. ↑ Darlene: I also remember going with him to custom homes he was working on years later in Palos Verdes Estates.
10. ↑ The other problem, for the passengers in his car was that he never stopped at the sign or signal. The car was always somewhere out in mid-street. I'm not sure if this was due to the eye (he did continue to do all the work with his saws and such) or just stubbornness on his part. Could be the latter, knowing grandpa.
11. ↑ CA Death Rec
12. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60204465?search=true
13. ↑ 1900: Wheeler, Stewart M. 37/b. Oct 1862, married 15 years, day labor, head; Elizabeth 37/ b. May 1863, 4 children born & living, wife; Irvine T. 14/b. Apr 1886, son; Leon R. 12/b. Mar 1888, son; Clyde W. 8/b. Aug 1891, son; Clifford P. 5/b. Apr 1895, son.
14. ↑ 1905: Wheeler, Stewart 42, teamster, head; Elizabeth A. 42, wife; Ervin F. 19, street car conductor, son; Leon R. 17, switch tender, son; Clyde A. 13, son; Clifford 10, son; Edith A. 4, daughter; Donald 1, son.
15. ↑ 1910: Wheeler, Stewart 47, boilermaker at the foundry, married 24 years, head; Elizabeth A. 46, 7 children born & 6 living, wife; Clyde A. 18, Railroad helper, son; Clifford P. 14, son; Edith A. 9, daughter; Donald 6, son.
16. ↑ 1915: Wheeler, Stewart 52, factory labor, head; Elizabeth A. 52, wife; Clyde A. 23, Clifford P. 20, Edith 14, daughter; ? (Donald) 11, son. Transcription faded.
17. ↑ 1920: Wheeler, Clifford P. 23, married, carpenter working on a house; Margaret 21, born Scotland, naturalized, wife; Stewart M. 1 and 2 months, b. New York, son; Thomas I. 4 months, b. New York, son. They live next door to his parents & younger siblings.
18. ↑ 1925: Wheeler, Clifford P. 30, carpenter, head; Margaret 27, wife; Stuart M. 6, son; Thomas I 5, son; Virginia M. 2, daughter; Billy 188 days, son.
19. ↑ 1930: Wheeler, Cliff, head; Margaret, wife; Stuart 11; Thomas 10; Clifford, Jr. 8; Virginia 6; William 5.
20. ↑ 1940: Wheeler, Cliff P. 44, carpenter, 2 years high school, head; Margaret 41, 8th grade, naturalized citizen, wife; Virginia 16, in 2nd year High School, daughter; William 15, 6th grade, son; Hugh 9, in school 2nd grade, son; Donald 6, in school 1st grade, son.