Washington County Biographies



Part of the Wisconsin Biographies Project



Ira H. Wheelock

Ira H. Wheelock, senior member of the firm of Wheelock, Denison & Co., merchants, Hartford; was born in Royalton, Vermont, Sept. 17, 1820, and is the son of Haskell and Lydia (Dunham) Wheelock. When 19 years old he went to Illinois, remaining at Grand Detour; the following year, 1840, he came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Wauwatosa, Milwaukee Co. Was married at Racine, in 1841, to Miss Fatima Swift, daughter of Jackson Swift; two children were born of this marriage-Edward and Emma; both died when about 6 years of age. Mr. Wheelock remained in Wauwatosa only one year, then moved to Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., where he was engaged in farming till 1847, when he moved to Hartford and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, Hiram H.; continued this business three years, when he sold out to Mr. Kneeland. Mrs. Wheelock died in 1849. Mr. Wheelock was engaged in farming till 1854, when he bought into the store again, and, with the exception of two or three years, has maintained his connection with the house. About this time, he and his brother, H. H., bought the Hartford Mill property. Mr. Wheelock was married, at Racine, January, 1850, to Miss Emeline Jackson, daughter of Jacob Jackson. Mrs. Wheelock was born in the State of New York; four children were born of this marriage-Emma, now Mrs. Horace Rowell, residing at Lake Five, Waukesha Co.; Marion, now Mrs. H. E. Adams, of Oshkosh; Harry E., a conductor on the line of the C., M. & St. P. Ry., and Helen, at home. From 1850 to 1858, Mr. Wheelock was interested in a branch store at Mayville, which was owned by the Wheelock brothers, and conducted by J. D. Wheelock. About 1869, Mr. I. H. Wheelock took a trip to the Lake Superior country, taking with him a small stock of supplies and a few head of cattle, as an experiment. This venture proving successful, let to an extensive business, which was continued till 1879, under the firm name of Wheelock & Winters; some years the freight bills amounted to $20,000. Mr. Wheelock has always, since his residence in Wisconsin, been interested in farming, having from 100 to 300 acres of land.

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