MR. JOHN WHELDON. BANGOR, LACROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
JOHN WHELDON, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and conveyancer of Bangor, resides on section 5, township 16, range 5 west, where he settled in 1853.He was born in Wales, October 4th, 1815, a son of William J. Wheldon, deceased, a native of the same country. He went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and thence to Steuben township, Oneida county, New York, in December 1819, where the parents both died several years later.
John, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common and high schools, and also taught school five winters in New York. He emigrated to this place in 1853, where he built the first log house, 22 x 16 feet. The Indians and wild animals were then numerous, and the deer was shot on the present site of the village of Bangor. His farm lay in the Bur Oak openings, and he now owns 180 acres, which is operated by his son, he devoting his time to his business interests. He has been a member of both the County Board and Side Board several years, and in the early days was Superintendent of Schools.
He was elected Justice of the Peace in April 1872, and in the same year was appointed Notary Public. He has been a Republican since the party was organised, but never takes an active part in politics. He was appointed Postmaster under President Grant April 28th, 1873, until 1885, when he was removed on account of his political views.
Mr. Wheldon was married in April, 1843, to Elizabeth Roberts, a native of Wales and daughter of Richard Roberts deceased. They have had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Elias, Laura A., William, Richard (deceased), Stephen B., Morris C., Newton, John, Jennie M., Robert and Griffith. Mrs. Wheldon died in March, 1886. She was a consistent Christian and a member of the Congregational Church, of which our subject is also a member.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
HISTORY OF LACROSSE COUNTY ~ TOWN OF BANGOR.
This town is located in the eastern portion of the county, and ranks among the leading localities in the county for agricultural tad stock-raising purposes. The general contour of the town is diversified by hills and valleys, which, under the discriminating care of the enterprising husbandmen, have become rich farming lands. The town is well watered by creeks, springs and small tributaries, which render it fertile and furnishes abundant water-power for milling purposes.The first settlement in the present Bangor was made in 1851. During the years 1855-60, the town of Bangor was made the center of immigration into that vicinity, and its fertile valleys soon became populated with a thrifty and prosperous class of husbandmen, who have been rewarded by the success which their untiring efforts deserved. A drive over the well-kept roads, and a view of the waving fields of grain, the elegant and commodious residences and out-buildings of the farmers, would convince the most casual observer that the town of Bangor is a valuable territory, and its energetic inhabitants are indeed at prosperous people.
In the spring of 1854, the original plat of the village of Bangor was surveyed and laid out by Isaac Thompson, then Deputy County Surveyor, on land owned by John Wheldon, the founder of the village, and its since enterprising citizen. Subsequently, additions were made to the original plat, and named in order, as follows: Wheldon's Addition, Wheldon's Second Addition, James'Addition and Bosshard's Addition. The streets are named Main, Jenkins and Mill streets, intersected by Wheldon and Oak streets; Burns road, Johnson, Center and East streets, intersected by James, South, Bangor, Commercial, Pearl, Oak and North streets.
The first house (built of logs) within the limits of the village proper, was built by Mr. John Wheldon in the fall of 1853. He came with his wife and seven children from Oneida Co., New York; this house stood just a little south of the site of the present Eagle Hotel, and was occupied by him until 1857, when he completed his present residence. He has continuously held offices of trust in the town; was Town Superintendent of Schools in 1856, and is now our honored Postmaster, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, and man of business for the inhabitants generally.
History of Lacrosse County, Wisconsin.
MR. JOHN WHELDON. BANGOR, LACROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Postmaster, Bangor; born in Wales in 1815. His parents emigrated to this country in 1817. They lived about two years in Phiadelphia, and then removed to Steuben, Oneida County, New York, where his parents resided till their death.Mr. Wheldon came to La Crosse County, and settled in what is now the village of Bangor in October, 1853. Mr. Wheldon may be regarded as the first settler in the village of Bangor. He purchased a farm which includes part of the village, purchasing of R. A. Richards. This farm was entered by Ebenezer Buckingham, which was the second farm entered in the town of Bangor. The date of this entry is July 1st, 1850. Mr. Wheldon still owns his original farm, except that portion on which a part of the village stands. He built the first dwelling — a log house in 1853, on the present site of the village.
He has always been prominently identified with the interest of this town, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all; has held nearly all town offices; was Town Clerk and Treasurer for a number of years; also Supervisor and Chairman of the Board; is at present Justice of the Peace, which office he has held for the past twelve years; has been Postmaster since 1873.
His wife was Elizabeth Roberts, born in Wales. Have eleven children — nine sons and two daughters; all, except two, residents of La Crosse Co., one son residing in Colorado and another in Minnesota. S. B., Robert and Griffith reside at home. S. B. is Assistant Postmaster and Town Clerk.