Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM HENRY WHEELER
No contrast could be greater than that presented in the early and later life of William Henry Wheeler. Experiences which range from the rough pioneer days of Amador county, where he was born January 4, 1865, and where he left the parental farm to spend thirteen years as a freighter of heavy merchandise and timber to the surrounding mines, to a peaceful horticultural existence in Santa Clara county, must needs broaden a man, and give him a pretty correct knowledge of various kinds of people. That Mr. Wheeler has profited by his experiences and drawn valuable lessons from the lights and shadows which have surrounded his upward course, is apparent to all who know this genial and successful horticulturist.
The Wheeler family was established on the coast in 1851 by Stephen Clark Wheeler, a Hoosier farmer, born in Indianapolis. He was married in his native state to Mary Ellen Thompson, with whom he is now living in retirement on his farm near Plymouth, Amador county, this state. Stephen Wheeler is a millwright by trade, an occupation which enabled him to accomplish unusually practical results after coming to the west. The first nine years of his life here were spent in the mines of Yuba county, and in 1870 he located at Drytown, Amador county, in time purchasing the farm upon which he has since lived. He engaged extensively in quartz mining and in building mills, and constructed the first flour mill in Amador county, and probably the first one on the coast. This mill obtruded itself into the wilderness near Plymouth, on Indian creek, and for years was the center of activity in that region. Years later it was converted into a quartz mill and to this day its quaint and story telling outlines may be seen although the service of years has impaired its usefulness and left it but a reminder of its pioneer success. In time the reputation of the millwright spread throughout California and Nevada, in both of which state may be seen specimens of his handiwork. He was for a long time manager and part owner of the Ivanhoe mine, but sold his interest and retired to his farm. His work and career in general are impressed upon his time and place, as are those of all men who are wise enough to single out some occupation which is imperative to the well being of their fellow men. He is now seventy-five years old, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his five sons and five daughters are well establish in life and attribute their training and start in independence to his patient and clearly defined example.
William Henry Wheeler is the sixth child in the parental family. His education was necessarily limited, but his energy was equal to the emergency created by the unsettled country and his parents’ large family. His work in the mines, and in hauling heavy freight over poorly marked trails was depressing and more or less unsatisfactory financially, but he saved his money and in 1894 was in a position to buy a hotel at Oleta, Amador county, which he operated four years. In 1896 he came to San Jose and rented a ranch for a year, and in 1899 bought ten acres under prunes on Prune Ridge avenue, the same being his present home. He is making improvements on his place each year, and in March, 1903, installed a pumping plant with a capacity of five hundred gallons per minute, which not only supplies water for his own ranch, but enable him to sell water to his neighbors. He is conveniently located a mile south of Santa Clara, and has a delightful home and paying investment. While living in Oleta he married Lillie Votaw, who was born in Australia, and who is still living. There are no children to enjoy this pleasant home. Mr. Wheeler is a Republican in politics, and is a broad minded, public spirited man, honored by all who know him, and popular because of his many amiable traits.
Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 904-907. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.