1890 Buchanan and Delaware Counties History pgs. 271-272
ALLEN B. WHEELESS, one of the solid pioneers of Delaware county, Iowa, was born in Washington county, Ill, February
16, 1826.
His father, Hezekiah Wheeless, was born in Tennessee in 1801. He lived in his native
state until sixteen years of age, and then moved to Illinois, where he lived until his death,
which occurred in 1868. He was one of the pioneer farmers of southern Illinois, and saw some hard times in the
wilds of that region. He was a member of the Baptist church, and lived a
consistent Christian life.
The
grandfather of our subject was Reuben Wheeless, a
native of the South. But little is known of him.
The mother
of our subject was Nancy Rountree, a native of Kentucky. She was the mother of eight
children. She died in 1844.Allen B. Wheeless, the
subject of this notice, was reared on a farm, and at a time, too, when the
country was new and sparsely settled. He attended the common schools, but
schools in those days were very poor. He remained on the farm till past twenty
years old, when he enlisted in the Mexican war, that being in 1846. He joined
the second Illinois regiment and served through the
war. He participated in the battle at Buena Vista; there were two other relatives in his
mess, including his uncle, A. B. Rountree, third lieutenant,
and a cousin, W.
Kingam. He was in active service for more than a year, but
was never wounded or captured. He is a great admirer of Colonel Bissell, who
commanded his regiment, and General Zachary Taylor, who commanded the entire United States troops.
Mr. Wheeless came to Delaware county, Iowa, in 1851, and settled in North Fork
township; has been justice of the peace there since 1862. At that time the
country was new and settlers few and far between. Wild game was plentiful and
bands of Indians roamed about the adjacent prairie.Mr.
Wheeless married in 1848, taking for a life companion
Miss Sarah Barnes, a native of Kentucky. This union resulted in the birth
of thirteen children. Those living are-William B., Matilda E., Henry H.,
Stephen D., Uriah T., Reuben and Sarah L.
Mr. Wheeless lost his wife in 1872. In 1874 he married Achsa A. Place, a native of New York. This union has been blessed with
four children, viz.-Perry R, Frankie A. (deceased), Frank M. and Ella May
(deceased).
Mr. Wheeless has always identified himself with the democratic party and has taken an active part in the
councils of that party in this county. He has been prominent and influential at
various conventions. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for many
years, and is at present a member of the town council of Hopkinton. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and a strong temperance man. He and his
estimable wife have been devoted members of the Methodist church for forty
years.
In 1886 Mr.
Wheeless retired from active farm work and moved to
Hopkinton, where he purchased a fine residence. He owned a fine estate of
two hundred and forty acres, which he sold in 1890.
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