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A. R. WHEAT, a member of the Aurora Mercantile Company, was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 23, 1848, and is a son of David and Rachel (RYKER) WHEAT, and grandson of Nathaniel WHEAT, who was an early settler of Indiana. The latter followed the occupation of farming all his life, and died in Lawrence County, Mo., whither he had moved in 1853. David Wheat was a farmer of Indiana until 1848, at which time he moved to Lawrence County, Mo., and located on a farm near Aurora, where he is still residing. He and wife became the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living: George W., John S., Martha A., Abraham R., Nathaniel, Jacob R., Mary and Catham. A. R. Wheat, whose name heads this sketch, was about eight months old when brought to Lawrence County. He received a common-school education, and followed the occupation of farming until 1880, whe{n} he engaged in the mercantile business at Pea Ridge, Benton Co., Ark., remaining there about two and a half years, after which he came to Aurora, where he was in business for himself for about eight months. He then formed a partnership with Carr McNATT, but at the end of two years sold his interest, and in the fall of 1887, when the Aurora Mercantile Company was organized, he became a member of the firm. They have the largest store in Aurora, and are doing a good business. Mr. Wheat was married in 1867 to Fannie O. McNATT, by whom he has three children: Claude C., Clarence V., and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Wheat are members of the Christian Church.
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