Arthur E. Wheeler
Early Life
Arthur Ellison Wheeler was born on June 17, 1897, in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Frederick Seymour Wheeler and Charlotte Putnam. By the early twentieth century, his family had established residence in Rye, New York, where he spent his formative years. He grew up in an environment shaped by education, business, and social prominence, reflecting the characteristics of established families in suburban Westchester County.
Wheeler’s upbringing included exposure to both academic and professional opportunities, and by young adulthood he was positioned within a social and economic class that often combined business leadership with public and civic engagement. His early life in Rye firmly established his connection to the community that would later recognize his wartime service.
World War I Service
On August 19, 1918, Wheeler enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve Force at the New York Navy Recruiting Station, entering service during the final phase of World War I. He was assigned the rating of Apprentice Seaman and sent to the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, the Navy’s primary training facility for enlisted personnel.
At Great Lakes, Wheeler underwent intensive training in seamanship, discipline, and naval operations, preparing him for potential assignment to active fleet service. His period of service, from September 16, 1918, to November 11, 1918, coincided directly with the closing weeks of the war, culminating in the Armistice.
Although his service did not extend to overseas deployment or assignment aboard an active vessel, his training formed part of the Navy’s rapid expansion during wartime, ensuring a prepared reserve of sailors to support fleet operations. He was discharged on December 15, 1918, with the rating of Seaman Second Class following the demobilization process.
Life After Service
Following his military service, Wheeler entered the business world, eventually becoming a director of the American Can Company and a member of the New York Stock Exchange. His career reflects the continued prominence of individuals from established backgrounds in American industry and finance during the early and mid-twentieth century.
He married Albertine Wallis Marlowe in 1929 and later married again in 1945. His life included both business leadership and social engagement, including involvement in yachting and membership in organizations such as the New York Yacht Club.
Arthur Ellison Wheeler died on November 22, 1966, in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of sixty-nine.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his family, including his spouse and extended relations.
His life reflects the intersection of wartime service and postwar leadership in American business, with enduring ties to Rye, New York, where he spent his formative years.