Arthur C. Wheeler
Arthur Canfield Wheeler (August 26, 1856 – October 5, 1941) was a two-term Republican[3] mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut from 1895 to 1896. He was a manufacturer of straw hats for over thirty years.[4]
Arthur Canfield Wheeler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd Mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut | |
| In office 1895–1897[1] | |
| Preceded by | James T. Hubbell |
| Succeeded by | Charles L. Glover |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 26, 1856[2][3] Norwalk, Connecticut[2][3] |
| Died | October 5, 1941 (aged 85)[4] Norwalk, Connecticut[4] |
| Political party | Republican[3][4] |
| Spouse | Susie Cousins[3][5] |
| Children | Ernest Cousins Wheeler, Harold Arthur Wheeler[3] |
| Residence(s) | Arch Street Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Occupation | hatter[6] |
Early life and family
He was born in Norwalk in August 1856 and attended public schools.[2] He was the son of Charles H. Wheeler, and Anna Eliza Canfield Wheeler.[3][5] He graduated at age 14.[2] He soon thereafter joined John P. Beatty & Company, manufacturers of straw hats.[2][3] On June 23, 1880, he married Susie Cousins.[3] In September 1888, Wheeler took possession of the factory at 13 Butler Street, where he expanded the business and employed over 200 workers.[3][6] He engaged in the hat manufacturing business until 1919. He conducted the Braid and Novelty Company until his death.[4]
Political career
When the Borough of Norwalk was first incorporated as a city in 1893, he was a member of the first City Council.[2] He served on the City Council in 1888, 1894, and 1895.[3] In 1895, he was elected mayor.[2]
In 1902, he was a member of the Norwalk School Board,[2] president of Hour Publishing Company, the publisher of the Norwalk Hour, and a member of the board of directors of the Fairfield County Savings Bank.[2]
Associations
- Freemasonry:
- Member (1884), St. John's Lodge No. 6; Worshipful Master (1894–1896)
- Grand Master of Connecticut (1902)[2][4][7]
- Member and High Priest, Washington Chapter of Norwalk Number 24[2][4]
- Knight (1891), Commander (1897), Clinton Commandery Number 3[2]
- 32nd Degree Member, Lafayette Consistory, S.P.R.S., A.A.S.R. of Bridgeport[2]
- Member, Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Bridgeport[2]
- Grand Patriarch, Odd Fellow of Connecticut[2]
- Member, Norwalk Club[2]
- Member, Algonquin Club of Bridgeport[2]
- Member, Norwalk Kiwanis Club[5]
- Member, Everyman's Bible Class[4][5]
- Norwalk Braid Club[5]