Amador
County
Biographies
VERNE EVERETT WHEELER
Among
those whose business activities are to a large degree contributing to the
commercial prosperity of Plymouth stands Verne E. Wheeler, senior member of the
firm of Wheeler Brothers, owners of an extensive and prosperous general
mercantile business. He was born at
Plymouth, on the 24th of March, 1890, a son of Norman E. and Emma
(Wheeler) Wheeler, who, though of the same family name, were not related. The paternal grandparents, Stephen Clark and
Mary Ella (Thompson) Wheeler, crossed the plains in 1852 and located in the
Shenandoah Valley, where they farmed from 1854 until 1910, a
period of fifty-six years. Norman E.
Wheeler was born on his father’s farm in Mendocino County, this state, February
5, 1858, and became well known as a freighter in the mountains, which business
he followed for many years. Afterward he
was employed in the store of the Levaggi estate for fourteen years, and then
joined his sons in the general mercantile business in Plymouth.
Verne
E. Wheeler was educated in the public schools of his home town, after which he
spent four years on a cattle ranch belonging to his uncle and two years in a
general merchandise store. In 1914 he
opened an ice cream and candy store, gradually developing a large and important
business, embracing a number of departments.
He carried on the business personally until 1918, when he entered the
United States Signal Corps for service in the World War. He was stationed at Mather Field for over
seven months, and on receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the War
he returned to Plymouth and resumed the management of the business. His brother Lester Alvin joined him at that
time and the business is now conducted under the name of Wheeler Brothers. In 1921 Mr. Wheeler engaged in the garage
business, which now demands so much of his time that he has largely
relinquished the managements of the store to his father and brother. In the garage he carries a full line of
automobile supplies and accessories, maintains an up-to-date service station
and a completely equipped repair department.
He also has the agency for various makes of radios.
Mr.
Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Vaira, who was born and reared
in Dry Town, Amador County, and they are the parents of three children, Evelyn,
Eleanor and Elaine. Mr. Wheeler is a
Republican in his political views and is a charter member of the local lodge of
the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a past dictator. He enjoys hunting and fishing as a means of
recreation and is a very popular man in this community. He holds to high business ideals and sound
methods, and has well merited the success which is crowning his efforts.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 Pages 430-431. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Amador County Biographies