Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893, p. 273.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

FRED WHEELER, a leading photographer of Taylorville, and one of the progressive and public-spirited business men of the county, claims New York as the State of his nativity. He was born in Waterloo, on the 26th of August, 1845, but when only a year old was taken by his parents to Washington County, Ohio, and in Beverly grew to mature years. No event of special importance occurred during his early boyhood, which was passed midst play and work and in attendance at the public schools, where he acquired his education. Mr. Wheeler's connection with photography began when he was sixteen years of age. At that time he commenced learning the business, which he has since followed, and after two years of thorough preparation and practice he embarked in business for himself at the age of eighteen, Zanesville, Ohio, being the scene of his labors. From that time he has engaged in business, first in Parkersburg, W. Va., and later in Bement, Ill. The year 1877 witnessed his arrival in Taylorville, Ill., where he opened a gallery. For five or six yews he carried on operations in Taylorville, but at length left this city, in 1882. Before his removal, however, Mr. Wheeler was married, on the 28th of March, 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Alice Simpson, daughter of J. L. and Isabel Simpson, of Taylorville. The same year he removed with his young wife to Nebraska, locating in Tecumseh, and subsequently went to Marion, Kan., where he remained until his return to Illinois. In 1888, we again find him in Taylorville, where he once more opened a gallery. He leased the ground and erected the building in which he is now located, a structure suitable for his business, and supplied with all modern equipments and accessories. From the beginning a liberal patronage has been accorded him. In connection with photographing, Mr. Wheeler does all lines of portrait work, crayon, pastel, India ink, water colors and oil portraits. He is an artist of no mean merit, in fact his work ranks favorably with that of our large cities, and in consequence of its excellence he is now doing a good business. Mr. Wheeler exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and is a stalwart advocate of its principles, but has never sought or desired political preferment. He manifests an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and gives his support for the advancement of those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit.

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