Donald Albert Wheeler (1903 - 1949)

Born 9 Jun 1903 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Irene Maude (Reid) Frost — married 24 May 1924 (to before 1935) in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States

Died 2 Jun 1949 at age 45 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

Birth and Early Life

Donald Albert Wheeler was born on 9 June 1903 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States as the sixth of six children born to Stewart Monroe Wheeler (1862-1929) and Elizabeth Ann Bosworth (1863-1959).

When he was six years old, they lived on Main Street in Olean and his father was a boilermaker at the factory. By the time he was 16 in 1920, Donald had a job working at the bakery. He and his sister Edith were the only two children remaining at home]. His married brother Clifford P. lived next door to them with his wife and 2 young sons. Their address was on Madison Avenue in Olean, New York.

Siblings

All children were born in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States.

1. Irvine Thadeous Wheeler was born on 8 April 1886. He married Mary Katherine Unknown about 1904. Irvine died on 3 September 1951 in Fulton County, Georgia, United States.
2. Leon Ralph Wheeler was born on 25 March 1888. He married 1) Mary Elizabeth Myers (b. 1889-?) in 1908 and 2) Beatrice G. Horton (b. 1888-?) before 1920. Leon died on 17 September 1958 in Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, United States.
3. Clyde Alonzo Wheeler was born on 4 August 1891. He married Margaret Mary Ellis (1886-1965) 16 September 1914 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Clyde died on 13 April 1928 in Waterford, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States.
4. Clifford Paul Wheeler was born on 19 April 1895. He married Margaret Walburga Cowden McAdam on 3 June 1918 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Cliff died on17 March 1961 in Torrance, Los Angeles, California, United States.
5. Edith Alberta Wheeler was born on 8 September 1900. Edith married (1) Paul T. Bingerman (1901-1945) on 11 November 1920 in Alleghany, Cattaraugus, New York (2) James Erwin A. Bosworth (1902-1991) after 5 February 1946. Edith died on 30 March 1991 in Great Valley, Cattaraugus, New York, United States.

Marriages and Family

He married twice.

1. Irene Maud Reid (1907-1978) on 24 May 1924 when he was 20 years old. They divorced before 1935.
2. Anna Karchuck (born about 1914 in Pennsylvania-she was living when he died in June 1949).

Children of the Wheeler-Reid Marriage

1. Velma I. Wheeler was born on 16 February 1926 in Allegany, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. She married Joseph Standish. Velma died on 8 August 2003 in Franklinville, Cattaraugus, New York, United States.
2. Donald I. Wheeler was born on 24 January 1928 in Newburgh, Orange, New York, United States. He married Wilma F. Lund (1938-2004) on 23 July 1974 in Franklinville, New York. Donald died on 30 June 2004 in Franklinville, Cattaraugus, New York, United States.

On 23 November 1929, Donald lived in Marlborough, Ulster, New York.[4] He rented his home according to the 1930 Census at 333 Grand Street, Marlboro, Ulster, New York. He was 27 years old and a flagman for the Railroad. Wife on the census was Irene M. who was 23. They had been married for seven years and two children had been born: Velma I. Wheeler who was 4 and Donald I. Wheeler who was 2.

Divorce

Irene has a 1940 United States Federal Census that says she is divorced and a housekeeper for Arthur Frost, who is married (wife not here) and a machinist at Ontario Knives Co. on Riggs Street in Franklinville, Cattaraugus, New York. The 2 children, Velma 14 and Donald 12 are also with her here. She said she was at this same place in 1935; so the divorce was pre-1935.

Military Service in World War II

The headstone states that he enlisted as a Private in the Reserve Corps on 2 December 1942. He was discharged on 7 May 1945.

Occupation

His death certificate states that his occupation was a machinist with U.S. Steel.

Death and Burial

Donald died on 2 June 1949 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States at the age of 45 years, 11 months and 28 days. He was buried on 6 June in the Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Plot: Section G03 Shady Lawn, Lot 301.Find A Grave: Memorial #61052111

Sources

• 1905 New York State Census on 1 June in Olean Ward 06, Cattaraugus, New York. ^[1]
• 1910 United States Federal Census on 19 April in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. The family lives on Main Street. ^[2]
• 1915 New York State Census on 1 June in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Very Faded and difficult to read. Many name errors. ^[3]
• 1920 United States Federal Census on 16 February in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. ^[4]
• 1928 U.S. City Directory in Marlboro, New York for Donald A. and Irene M. Wheeler. He is a carpenter.
• 1929 Father's obituary in The Olean Evening Times, page 3 says Donald A. is living in Marlboro, NY.
• 1930 United States Federal Census on 25 April. Marlboro, Ulster, New York, 333 Grand Street. Family 371.^[5]
• Find A Grave Index. A headstone photo is available and it gives his military service dates.
• Pennsylvania Death Certificate. ^[6]

Footnotes

1. ↑ 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.
2. ↑ 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.
3. ↑ 1915: Wheeler, Stuart (sic) M. 52, factory labor, head; Elizabeth A. 52, wife; Claide F. (Clyde A.) 23, son; Clifford C. (P.) 20, son; Enda M. (Edith Alberta) 14, daughter; Sarah A. (Donald A.) 11, son.
4. ↑ 1920: Wheeler, Stewart M. 57, factory labor, head; Elizabeth A. 56, wife; Edith A. 19, daughter; Donald A. 16, bakery worker, son.
5. ↑ 1930: Wheeler, Donald A. 27, 20 when married, railroad flagman, head; Irene M. 23, wife; Velma I. 4, daughter; Donald I. 2, son.
6. ↑ 1949 Death Certificate gives cause of death as coronary occlusion. He died at 687 Rivermont Drive in Pittsburgh, home. It says he had been in Pittsburgh for 7 years before death. Wife Anna alive, 35 years old. Cemetery will be Jefferson Memorial. Gives names of parents.