Biography of Grattan Henry Wheeler
by Millard F. Roberts, 1891
Page 573
Grattan H., son of Capt. Silas Wheeler, came to this town with his father. Father and son lived together and added to their original purchase from time to time. Between four and five thousand acres had been purchased before the son's death. When this family settled in Wheeler their nearest neighbor was Judge Baker, of Pleasant Valley. Grattan H. married Fanny, daughter of Capt. Samuel Baker, of Cameron. Their children were Sarah, Silas and Grattan H. Jr. His second wife was Eliza, daughter of Ephraim Aulls, by whom he had thirteen children.
Col. Grattan H. Wheeler, the son of Capt. Silas Wheeler, was an extensive farmer and lumberman. He was always interested and largely identified with public affairs, also a successful politician. Besides filling with energy and public spirit various town offices, he represented his district in the Assembly from 1823 to 1827, and mainly through his efforts in the Legislature the property qualification of town officers was materially modified. He afterwards held the office of State Senator, and while discharging its duties, was elected Representative in Congress, in which capacity he served from 1831 to 1835. Col. Wheeler was a useful and benevolent citizen. At one time he owned 3000 or 4000 acres of land. He died on the farm on which his father settled, about 1851. His children by his first marriage were Sallie, Silas; and Grattan H., and by his second marriage, Fannie, Eliza, Ruth, Adelia, William and Addison.
by Hon. Harlo Hakes, 1896
Hon. Grattan H. Wheeler was a son of Capt. Silas Wheeler, and was born August 25, 1783 in Rhode Island, and removed with his father to Albany county and thence in 1798 to Steuben county. He developed into a man of great business and executive ability; and, as stated in the sketch of Capt. Silas Wheeler, it was through his ability and efforts that what is known as "the old Wheeler Farm," of 5000 acres, was secured and improved. He was a very successful farmer, stock raiser, lumber man and general business man; he also became one of the most prominent politicians in Steuben County and vicinity. In 1822 he represented Allegany and Steuben in the Assembly; in 1824 he was elected and in 1826 re-elected to represent the county of Steuben in the Assembly; and as State senator he represented the Sixth Senatorial District, then composed of the counties of Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Otsego, Tioga and Steuben, during the years 1828, 1829, 1830 and 1831. In the year 1831 he ran against Hon. John Magee for Congress, defeating Mr. Magee. He served two years in Congress from this district, which was then composed of Steuben, Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. He was an enthusicastic supporter of General Harrison in the campaign 1840, and was elected one of his presidiential electors. After 1840 he retired from active participation in politics and devoted his energies to his large business interests, which had been growing even during his political career. He died on his farm in Wheeler in March, 1852, from an acute disease, being a very vigorous man up to within a few days of his death. He was twice married, first to Fanny Baker, daughter of Samuel Baker of Canisteo, and after her death, to Elizabeth Aulls, the youngest daughter of William Aulls, first settler in Pleasant Valley. To him and his first wife were born three children: Silas, who died in 1845 at Wheeler; Grattan H., who resides at Hammondsport, N.Y.; and Sarah, who married Jesse Brundage and resides upon her farm about two miles from the village of Bath. She was the mother of Frank, Grattan H., and Capt. Monroe Brundage. There were born to his second wife and him eleven children, all of whom are dead but Eliza Armstrong, of Tiffin, O.