Mr. Wheeler received his preparatory education at the old Easton (Conn.) Academy and at Dudley School at Northampton, Mass. Afterward he entered Amherst College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1856. He spent much of his early life teaching school, and in Mississippi, where he resided for a time, filled the position of Superintendent of Schools with acknowledged ability and satisfaction.

Settling finally in Hackensack, N. J., Mr. Wheeler soon came into prominence as a man of energy and public spirit, and as Chairman of the Hackensack Board of Education rendered important service to the community. He also served for some time as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His business has been mainly that of an insurance broker, although he has been interested in various financial enterprises. He is Treasurer of the Hackensack Cemetery Company and Vice-President of the Bergen Turnpike Com- pany. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Past High Priest in the Masonic order. He has traveled extensively in this country as well as abroad.

In 1859 he was married to Lucy Dowie. They have two sons: Hon. George W. Wheeler. Jr., a Justice of the Superior Court of Connecticut, and Henry D. Wheeler, a commission merchant of New York City.