Willard A. Wheeler (1804 - 1876)

Born 18 Jul 1804 in Guilford, Windham, Vermont, United States

Husband of Ruth Ayres — married 1 Aug 1823 in New York, United States

Died 24 Apr 1876 at age 71 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Willard was the first Mayor of Rockford, Illinois 1852-1853

Willard was born in 1804. He was the son of David Wheeler and Eunice Stewart.

He married Ruth Ayers in 1823.

They had the following children:

1. Amanda Cornelia (Miller) 1824–1899
2. Sarah Jane (Underhill) 1828–1891
3. David Welles Wheeler 1833–1908
4. Augusta W. (Kniffen) 1839–1876
5. Louisa Sophia (Campbell) 1841–1928

They lived in St Thomas, Ontario for a while. In 1839 he settled in Rockford where he was the first tinner in the city. ^[1]

Ruth died in 1840. In 1843 he married Freelove Davis. ^[2]

They had one son, Franklin Wheeler 1843– aft. 1920.

In 1843 he built a house that became known as the Daffodil Cottage”. ^[3]

He served as the first mayor of Rockford from 1852-1853. ^[4]

Freelove died in 1856. In 1850 he was married to Maria. ^[5][6][7]

Willard passed away in 1876.

Obituary

The Hon. Williard Wheeler (who we mentioned last week as being seriously ill) died at his residence on North Second Street at about midnight, on Monday. Mr. Wheeler was the first Mayor of Rockford, a man of indomitable will and courage, pronounced opinions and a steadfast and loyal supporter of good order and progress in society. His term as mayor was signaled by several acts of courage and decision, which have become traditions among the elder inhabitants of the city. The funeral of the deceased took place on Tuesday afternoon. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBV-4GL : 2 March 2021), Willard Wheeler, United States; citing p. 413, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
2. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-566G : 19 February 2021), Willard Wheeler and Freelove Davis, 21 Apr 1841; citing Winnebago, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,914,066
3. ↑ The Daffodil Cottage
4. ↑ Wikipedia: List of mayors of Rockford, Illinois
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M854-RWG : 19 December 2020), Willard Wheeler, Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64M-C1X : 28 May 2021), Willard Wheeler, 1870.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64M-C1X : 28 May 2021), Willard Wheeler, 1870
8. ↑ Rockford Journal (Rockford, IL) 29 April 1876, page 1. GenealogyBank: accessed 24 May 2022

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #113535310: accessed 24 May 2022), memorial page for Willard Wheeler (18 Jul 1804–24 Apr 1876), citing Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Bonnie Dodge (contributor 47874138) .