George S. Wheeler Dies

A Prominent Salem Man of Wide Acquaintance

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HELD IN GREAT ESTEEM

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He Had Held Many Positions of Trust in Washtenaw County

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Hon. George S. Wheeler died in Salem Saturday night, aged 73 years. He had been in his usual health and was a delegate to the last republican state convention, staying and taking part in all its deliberations. He was a member of the legislature in 1899, and his was the last public position that he held. He was one of the best known men in the country and was held in general esteem. He will be greatly missed.

George S. Wheeler was born in the township of Leicester, Livingston county, N.Y., April 22, 1830, and his parents came to Michigan a year later. His education was attained largely at the common schools, although he attended Cochren's academy at Northville, the old Ypsilanti Union seminary, the Detroit Commercial college, and spent one year at the law school at Ann Arbor. At the age of 17 he began to teach, and for the next 16 years that was his principal occupation.

At the beginning of the civil war he recruited a company for a regiment of lancers, which was never mustered in, and in August, 1862, entered the service as first lieutenant in Co. D. 5th Michigan cavalry.

Mr. Wheeler has been in the public service almost continuously since the war. He served as deputy county treasurer for two years, as county superintendent of schools six years, as member of the county board of school examiners eight years, besides serving his township as supervisor more than 15 years in all. He was also a member of the legislature of 1899-1900, representing the first district of Washtenaw, and being a strong supporter of Gov. Pingress.