Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Sr. and George Lee Wheeler
Dublin Core
Title
Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Sr. and George Lee Wheeler
Alternative Title
Frank and George Lee Wheeler
Subject
Oviedo (Fla.)
Description
Husband and wife, Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Sr. (1878-1954) and George Lee Wheeler (1884-1980), at their home, located at 340 South Lake Jessup Avenue in Oviedo, Florida, on February 15, 1942. Frank Wheeler was born in Dade City on January 2, 1878. After his father passed away in 1889, his family relocated to his mother's hometown in Oviedo. At age 16, Wheeler began working as a telegraph operator for the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) Railroad. In 1898, he purchased a seedling citrus grove that had been abandoned during the Freeze of 1894-1985. Wheeler soon became a successful citrus grower and celery cultivator.
Wheeler married George Lee in 1908 and the couple later had three children: Clara Lee Wheeler Evans (1917-2010); Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Jr. (1920-2006); and Miriam Louise Wheeler (b. 1922). In 1908, Wheeler partnered with C .F. Brannon and Steen Nelson to operate the Nelson Brothers packinghouse. In 1923, Wheeler purchased the company and renamed it Nelson & Company, Inc. Wheeler also served on the Seminole County Commission and the Oviedo City Council. He was also seminal in organizing the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Citizens Bank of Oviedo.
Wheeler married George Lee in 1908 and the couple later had three children: Clara Lee Wheeler Evans (1917-2010); Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Jr. (1920-2006); and Miriam Louise Wheeler (b. 1922). In 1908, Wheeler partnered with C .F. Brannon and Steen Nelson to operate the Nelson Brothers packinghouse. In 1923, Wheeler purchased the company and renamed it Nelson & Company, Inc. Wheeler also served on the Seminole County Commission and the Oviedo City Council. He was also seminal in organizing the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Citizens Bank of Oviedo.
Source
Original 5 x 3 inch black and white photographic print, February 15, 1942: Private Collection of Vicki Clonts.
Date Created
1942-02-15
Contributor
Clonts, Vicki
Bruce, Mimi
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 5 x 3 inch black and white photographic print, February 15, 1942.
Is Part Of
Oviedo Historical Society Collection, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
application/pdf
Extent
140 KB
Medium
5 x 3 inch black and white photographic print
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Home of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Sr., Oviedo, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Vicki Clonts and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
Private Collection of Vicki Clonts
External Reference
"Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1878-1954)." Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. http://floridacitrushalloffame.com/index.php/inductees/inductee-name/?ref_cID=89&bID=0&dd_asId=1088.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 black and white photographic print
Physical Dimensions
5 x 3 inches
Collection
Citation
“Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Sr. and George Lee Wheeler,” RICHES, accessed April 19, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/6273.