Toulon gained a substantial citizen when in 1906 Rollin E. Wheeler became a resident of Stark county. For the past six years he has been engaged in the hardware and automobile business and the progressive spirit which actuates him in all that he undertakes is bringing him to the goal of success. He was born in Ontario county, New York, June 24, 1880, and had good school opportunities there while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents. His father, Sylvester H. Wheeler, was a native of the same county, born in 1829, and was a son of Sylvester Wheeler, Sr., who served in the War of 1812. Sylvester H. Wheeler, Jr., was a merchant and farmer of Ontario county, New York, for a long period but ultimately was appointed superintendent of a division of the overland mail service operating across Texas to the California gold fields, where he remained for several years or until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he returned to Empire state and there spent his remaining days. His death occurred in 1901, and he is survived by his last wife, who resides in Bristol, New York.

Rollin E. Wheeler was a resident of the Empire state until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when in 1906 he determined to try his fortune in the west and made his way to Toulon, where he assumed the management of a hardware business owned by W. W. Wheeler. He was unacquainted with the trade but soon became familiar with the business and he also won popularity among the people. Under his guidance the enterprise proved profitable, and feeling that he could win success in that line, R. E. Wheeler in 1908 purchased the business and also bought the hardware store of Davis & Fell. He admitted C. D. Fowler to a partnership and they conducted their interests together for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Wheeler bought Mr. Fowler’s interest and became sole proprietor but soon afterward took J. P. Williams into partnership, that relation being maintained until the death of Mr. Williams in November, 1914. Mr. Wheeler has since been alone in the ownership and conduct of the store. He carries a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware and in addition to retailing goods of that character he conducts a plumbing business, installs furnaces, handles gasoline engines, also installs electric light plants and is engaged in selling automobiles, largely handling the Chalmers car since 1909. This is a fine, well built, serviceable car, popular in Toulon. The various branches of his business are proving a source of success to Mr. Wheeler, who is a very energetic man, placing his dependence upon industry, close application and honorable dealing.

On the 2d of October, 1912, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Williams, a daughter of J. P. Williams, of Toulon, now deceased. He erected an attractive modern residence on West Main street and he also purchased and still owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the Red River valley of North Dakota, all under cultivation. His activities are reaching out along many lines, and it is characteristic of him that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.