Gilbert L. Wheeler, farmer, P.O. Pepin, was born at Lysander, Onondaga County, N.Y., August 11, 1843, a son of John M. and Almira (Lockwood) Wheeler. His mother died when he was but fifteen months old, and his father about four years later. After his mother's death, Gilbert L. lived with his grandmother and an uncle, I. B. Wheeler. He attended the district school until nine years old, when the family removed to Pepin (1853). At seventeen years of age, he began working as a farm laborer. January 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin volunteers. At the end of two years, he re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer, and served until the close of the war. Among the engagements in which he took part were: battle of Corinth, siege of Corinth, Champion Hills, Vicksburg (May 19-22, 1863), siege of Vicksburg (Miss) , battle of Big Shanty (Ga.), Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Savannah (Ba.), Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia (S.C.), Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Raleigh (N.C.). He was promoted to sergeant in May 1865. After the war, he returned to Pepin and worked successively in a grain elevator, on a rented farm from 1867 to 1874, as engineer in Pfaff's mill from 1877 to 1880. In 1880, he purchased his present farm on section twenty-nine, township twenty-three, range fourteen.

Undated News Clipping:
Veteran Pioneer Goes To Rest
Gilbert L. Wheeler, aged veteran of the Civil War and an early pioneer to this community, yielded to the hand of time and passed to his reward early Tuesday morning. Mr. Wheeler, who resided on his farm in Hicks Valley, had been in poor health for some months and the end came not unexpectedly, but with no less a shock to his aged wife, relatives and friends.

Gilbert L. Wheeler, was born at Lysander, Onondaga County, N.Y. August 11, 1843, a son of John M. and Almira (Lockwood) Wheeler. His mother died when he was but fifteen months old and his father four years later. After his mother's death, he lived with his grandmother and uncle, I. B. Wheeler, and at the age of nine years came with them to Pepin in 1853. January 25, 1862 (sic) he enlisted in Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers and after serving his two years re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer and served until the end of the war. He saw a great deal of service and active fighting during the war, taking part in the following engagements: battle of Corinth, siege of Corinth, Champion Hills, Vicksburg (May 19-22, 1864), siege of Vicksburg (Miss.), battle of Big Shanty (GA), Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Savannah (Ga.) Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, (S.C.), Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Raleigh (N.C.). He was promoted to sergeant in May 1865.

After the war, Mr. Wheeler returned to Pepin and worked successively in a grain elevator, on a rented farm from 1867 to 1874, (as an) engineer in Pfaff's mill from 1877 to 1880. In 1880 he purchased the farm on which he remained from that time until his death.

Gilbert L. Wheeler was married December 31, 1868 to Miss Ellen M. Nichols. To them was born one son, George M. and twin daughters, Eva A. and Emma M. Mrs. Wheeler, her son Geo. And one daughter, Eva A. (Mrs. E. B. Fleming) and several grandchildren survive to mourn the departure of a most devoted husband and father.

Mr. Wheeler was formerly a member of the Benj. Allen Post of the G.A.R. at Arkansaw and afterwards affiliated with the James Little post at Pepin. He was held in high esteem among his comrades and the remaining few were among the mourners at the funeral.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the home conducted by Rev. Jas. Ford, and were attended by a large number of sympathetic friends. The funeral procession consisted of thirty-five heavily loaded rigs moved from the home to the cemetery, passing through the village. As the procession passed the village schools the pupils were all assembled on the school grounds about a placard on which was the inscription, "Our Schools Honor Patriots, Today we do Honor to Mr. G. L. Wheeler" and paid tribute to the departed veteran by dipping the flag and standing with bowed and uncovered heads.
Interment was made in Oakwood Cemetery. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved relatives.

1880 U.S. Census, Pepin Co., WI, #20: Wheeler, G. L., 36, farmer, b. NY, parents b. Ohio; Ella, e1, wife, b. Penna, father b. VT, mother b. Ohio; G. M., 9, b. Wis, son; Eva, 4, b. Wis, dau.

Obituary, Durand Entering Wedge, 6 October 1910:
Obituary
G. L. Wheeler
Gilbert Lockwood Wheeler was born at Lysander, Onondaga County, N.Y., August 11th, 1843, and died September 26th, 1910.

He was a son of John M. and Almira Wheeler. His mother died when he was but fifteen months old and his father died four years later. After his mother's death he lived with his grandmother and an uncle. He attended district school until the family removed to Pepin, Wisconsin in 1853.

January 25th, 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 17th Wisconsin Volunteers. At the end of two years he re-elisted [sic] and served until the close of the war. Among the engagements in which he took part were, Corinth, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Siege of Vicksburg, battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Bentonville and Raleigh. He was promoted to Sergeant in May 1865.

After the war he returned to Pepin where he worked as wagon-maker, engineer and farmer.

In 1830 [sic] he purchased the farm on which he has since made his home.

Mr. Wheeler was married December 31st 1868 to Miss Ellen Mary Nichols, who bore him three children, George M., Eva A. and Emma M., the latter dying in infancy.

For a number of years Mr. Wheeler took a prominent part in local G.A.R. affairs. He joined the G.A.R. at Durand, later transferred his membership to the Post at Arkansaw and when there was a Post established at Pepin, again transferred [sic] his membership.

He served as school clerk for twelve years and was once elected Assessor. In politics he was a staunch Republican.

Mr. Wheeler's death was not unexpected, as he had been failing for some time. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Mr. Wheeler's genial hospitality won for him a host of friends who join with the bereaved family in mourning their loss.

The funeral was held at 1 o'clock p.m. September 28th from the home of the diseased [sic] east of Pepin, Rev. Ford conducting the services. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery.

From "History of the Chippewa Valley Wisconsin" published by A. Warner, Publisher, Chicago, Illinois, 1891-2: