Looks like the year of birth was inscribed in error "1841" and changed to "1843", but it made it to appear as "1848". The correct year of birth is "1843". Info. from FAG member Cherie Officer, The Portville Historical and Preservation Society and The Olean (NY) Evening Times, Friday, April 28, 1911.
William was born in what was called Mayville (in 2012 it is part of Portville). It was located on the West side of present day Rt. 305, on the north end of Portville, across the highway from the current Sprague's Maple Farm Restaurant. William was home schooled (which was the norm as there was no official school) for a time, while he also learned "Hard Work" and to "Act For Himself". He was then entered at the Andover, Mass. Preparatory School and then entered Yale College from which he graduated in the "Famous Class of 1866" in general business education, to fit him for the career laid out for him by his parents.
He then became the manager of the Tannery in Portville. In September 1899 the tannery was sold and he continued his ventures in the lumber business, which soon showed the stuff he was made of. Starting small he became identified with the Chicago Lumber Co. and was honored with the chair of President. He soon had aquired lumber fields in Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. He had also became a major investor in the First National Bank at Olean, NY and was later elected vice president. In the same way his executive ability was recognized by the Commonwealth Trust Co. of Buffalo, NY and he became a director.
William was very involved in community affairs. A member of the Portville Presbyterian Church, President of the school board, supervisor of Portville and donated much to the area including, building of the post office, opera house, library etc.
He was a Republican and served in the New York State Legislature for two terms at the turn of the 20th century.
William was born in what was called Mayville (in 2012 it is part of Portville). It was located on the West side of present day Rt. 305, on the north end of Portville, across the highway from the current Sprague's Maple Farm Restaurant. William was home schooled (which was the norm as there was no official school) for a time, while he also learned "Hard Work" and to "Act For Himself". He was then entered at the Andover, Mass. Preparatory School and then entered Yale College from which he graduated in the "Famous Class of 1866" in general business education, to fit him for the career laid out for him by his parents.
He then became the manager of the Tannery in Portville. In September 1899 the tannery was sold and he continued his ventures in the lumber business, which soon showed the stuff he was made of. Starting small he became identified with the Chicago Lumber Co. and was honored with the chair of President. He soon had aquired lumber fields in Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. He had also became a major investor in the First National Bank at Olean, NY and was later elected vice president. In the same way his executive ability was recognized by the Commonwealth Trust Co. of Buffalo, NY and he became a director.
William was very involved in community affairs. A member of the Portville Presbyterian Church, President of the school board, supervisor of Portville and donated much to the area including, building of the post office, opera house, library etc.
He was a Republican and served in the New York State Legislature for two terms at the turn of the 20th century.
Looks like the year of birth was inscribed in error "1841" and changed to "1843", but it made it to appear as "1848". The correct year of birth is "1843". Info. from FAG member Cherie Officer, The Portville Historical and Preservation Society and The Olean (NY) Evening Times, Friday, April 28, 1911.
William was born in what was called Mayville (in 2012 it is part of Portville). It was located on the West side of present day Rt. 305, on the north end of Portville, across the highway from the current Sprague's Maple Farm Restaurant. William was home schooled (which was the norm as there was no official school) for a time, while he also learned "Hard Work" and to "Act For Himself". He was then entered at the Andover, Mass. Preparatory School and then entered Yale College from which he graduated in the "Famous Class of 1866" in general business education, to fit him for the career laid out for him by his parents.
He then became the manager of the Tannery in Portville. In September 1899 the tannery was sold and he continued his ventures in the lumber business, which soon showed the stuff he was made of. Starting small he became identified with the Chicago Lumber Co. and was honored with the chair of President. He soon had aquired lumber fields in Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. He had also became a major investor in the First National Bank at Olean, NY and was later elected vice president. In the same way his executive ability was recognized by the Commonwealth Trust Co. of Buffalo, NY and he became a director.
William was very involved in community affairs. A member of the Portville Presbyterian Church, President of the school board, supervisor of Portville and donated much to the area including, building of the post office, opera house, library etc.
He was a Republican and served in the New York State Legislature for two terms at the turn of the 20th century.
William was born in what was called Mayville (in 2012 it is part of Portville). It was located on the West side of present day Rt. 305, on the north end of Portville, across the highway from the current Sprague's Maple Farm Restaurant. William was home schooled (which was the norm as there was no official school) for a time, while he also learned "Hard Work" and to "Act For Himself". He was then entered at the Andover, Mass. Preparatory School and then entered Yale College from which he graduated in the "Famous Class of 1866" in general business education, to fit him for the career laid out for him by his parents.
He then became the manager of the Tannery in Portville. In September 1899 the tannery was sold and he continued his ventures in the lumber business, which soon showed the stuff he was made of. Starting small he became identified with the Chicago Lumber Co. and was honored with the chair of President. He soon had aquired lumber fields in Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. He had also became a major investor in the First National Bank at Olean, NY and was later elected vice president. In the same way his executive ability was recognized by the Commonwealth Trust Co. of Buffalo, NY and he became a director.
William was very involved in community affairs. A member of the Portville Presbyterian Church, President of the school board, supervisor of Portville and donated much to the area including, building of the post office, opera house, library etc.
He was a Republican and served in the New York State Legislature for two terms at the turn of the 20th century.
Gravesite Details
The Wheeler home at 29 Maple St. in the Village of Portville is listed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.
Family Members
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