Charles H Wheeler is a native of Sharon, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and was born December 27, 1827. He moved from the "Land of Steady Habits" in 1840, and located at Union, Broome county, New York, where he remained until December, 1853, when he came to Fulton. In 1856 he, in company with Charles B. Mercerean, built the brick store on the southwest corner of Cherry and River streets, now owned and occupied by ex-Mayor William Y. Wetzell, where the firm, then known as Mercereau & Wheeler, carried on the grocery business. In 1865 Mr. Wheeler purchased the interest of Mr. Mercereau, and continued the business about a year, and then sold to Mr. Wetzell. The following year he remained out of business, and in 1868 purchased the hardware business of C. F. Welles, situated on Base street, and conducted the business at that place until the building burned down in November, 1871. Not dismayed by this disaster, he opened another store at the corner of Base street and Broadway, now occupied by A. Volkinan as a tailoring establishment, and remained there until he built his present brick store, on the site of the burned building, next door south of the bank. This building is 76 by 24 feet in size, and two stories high, the first story being used as the hardware store, and the second as a tinshop and storage room. Mr. Wheeler carries a very large stock of all kinds of goods in his line, and has an extensive trade. In 1850 he built the residence he now occupies. Mr. Wheeler has been an Alderman of the city of Fulton, and was Mayor for two terms, being elected first in 1867 and again in 1869. In 1858 he was Supervisor of the township. At present he is Treasurer of the Fulton Business Association. This Association has for its object the encouragement of all business, enterprises in the city. Mr. Wheeler is one of the lending business men of the county, public spirited, a good citizen, and bears an excellent reputation.
Bent-Wilson 1877 Pg 191
