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William Fletcher Wheeler papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC-65

Scope and Contents

The papers consist primarily of biographical and historical writings done by Wheeler. Also included are correspondence (1859-1894) concerning personal business, his service in the Civil War, and his service as U.S. Marshal; materials related to the Meagher County vote fraud (1874); miscellaneous financial records and legal documents, and scrapbooks of writings, letters, and clippings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1859-1894

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Biographical / Historical

William Fletcher Wheeler was born in Warwick, New York, July 6, 1824. After attending several New York academies, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1842, at the age of eighteen. For several years he worked for the Ohio Statesman as a printer and reporter, and studied law in his spare time. In 1848, he was admitted to the bar. In 1853, Wheeler married Charlotte Jersey. Three years later the Wheelers moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Wheeler obtained the post of private secretary to Colonel Medary, newly appointed Minnesota Territorial Governor. Wheeler also served as territorial librarian. By September 1861, Wheeler had helped to raise a company for the Fourth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He fought in the Civil War battles at Iuka and Corinth, and later was part of the Vicksburg campaign. As a result of illness, Wheeler was discharged from the service in the spring of 1864.

In June 1869, Colonel Wheeler arrived in Montana as the newly appointed U.S. Marshal. He served in the position for three successive terms until 1878. During this time he was also ex-officio superintendent of the U.S. Penitentiary at Deer Lodge.

For the next decade Wheeler worked as a journalist and writer and was employed in 1884 by the Montana Historical Society to interview and write the biographies of former employees of the American Fur Company. In 1889, he accepted the position of librarian of the Montana Historical Society. He filled this post until his death in June 1894.

Extent

1 linear feet

Additional Description

Abstract

William Wheeler (1824-1894) served as U.S. Marshal and as Montana Historical Society Librarian in Helena, Montana. Papers consist of outgoing correspondence (1859-1860, 1869-1871), including discussion of problems of Montana Territorial law enforcement; and biographical writings on Montana pioneers. [Portions same as MF 12].

Arrangement

Arranged by series. Some material housed in oversize folder in archives map case. See inventory below for more information.

Physical Location

4:4-1

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition information available upon request

Related Materials

Portions same as MF 12.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the William Fletcher Wheeler papers 1859-1894
Author
Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
Date
2004
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository

https://mhs.mt.gov/research
Contact:
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)

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