Background
Samuel P. Wheeler was born in Binghamton, New York on January 12, 1839, the son of physician Doctor Alvan Wheeler.
Samuel P. Wheeler was born in Binghamton, New York on January 12, 1839, the son of physician Doctor Alvan Wheeler.
After high school, he moved to Illinois, initially finding work as a teacher. He was admitted to the bar of Illinois at age 20 and then established a law practice at Mound City, Illinois. He later moved his practice to Cairo, Illinois, where he was associated with William J. Allen.
Wheeler practiced law in Cairo until 1887, although he did move to Mount Carmel, Illinois at one point to serve as a director of the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad.
At this point, Wheeler moved to Springfield, Illinois, joining the firm of Brown, Wheeler, Brown & Hay (the firm is still in existence, and has been known as Brown, Hay & Stephens since 1921). During his time at Springfield, Wheeler acted as receiver for the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad, the Jacksonville, Louisville and Saint Louis Railway, and the Chicago, Peoria and Saint Louis Railroad.
Wheeler was active in the Illinois State Bar Association, and took a special interest in advocating on behalf of the act that created the Illinois Appellate Court. When the constitutionality of this act was challenged, Wheeler, along with Anthony Thornton and Harvey B. Hurd argued successfully in favor of the act"s constitutionality.
Wheeler was elected president of the Illinois State Bar Association in 1893, succeeding Lyman Trumbull.
Wheeler died on December 2, 1906.