William A. Wheeler 1819 – 1887

Biography

William A. Wheeler was born on June 30, 1819, in Malone, New York, where he would spend much of his life. He rose to prominence through public service, ultimately achieving the highest ranks of American government. His career culminated in his election as Vice President of the United States, a position he held from 1877 to 1881 during a pivotal period in the nation’s history.

Wheeler’s tenure as Vice President came during the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes, a time marked by important developments in American politics and society. Though his specific contributions and earlier career details remain part of the broader historical record, his service at the national level demonstrated his standing among the political figures of his era.

Having spent virtually his entire life in his native Malone, Wheeler maintained strong roots in his community even as his responsibilities expanded to the federal level. He passed away on June 4, 1887, in the town where he was born, just weeks before what would have been his sixty-eighth birthday. He was laid to rest at Morningside Cemetery in Malone, where his legacy continues to be remembered by those who knew of his service to his country and his community.