MARRIED.
WHEELER-WALLBANK. – On the 23rd inst., at Ebenezer Chapel, Steelhouse Lane (by Rev. J. M. Knight), Banjamin [sic], youngest son of Benjamin Wheeler, to Nellie Wallbank, third daughter of Henry Wallbank, of Aston.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 23rd August 1884)
Context Note: Nevertheless, he appears to have remained at 133 Park Road until 1914 when he took the S.S. Lusitania from Liverpool to New York – ending up at Stratford, Connecticut, whence he never came back.
ASTON POLICE COURT.
MONDAY. – Before Alderman W. Evans (chairman), Alderman S. Edwards, Alderman F. Smith, and Mr. H. S. Yoxall.
Separated.
Ellen Susan Rhoda Wheeler, of 133, Park Road, Aston, summoned her husband Benjamin Wheeler, for persistent cruelty, and she asked the magistrates to grant her a separation order. – Mr. A. H. Adcock appeared on behalf of the complainant who stated that they had been married 24 years and there were four children, the eldest [Ada (Wheeler) Bosworth] being 22 years of age. Defendant had been frequently before the Court for assault and other offences. On Thursday last he turned the two younger children [Benjamin Wheeler (1893-1978) and William Henry Lingard Wheeler] out of the house, and when remonstrated with threatened to put his wife out, and subsequently assaulted her. He had often abused her before. – P.C. Rainbow deposed to being called to the house on Thursday, when he saw the defendant, who was drunk and threatening his wife. – The Bench made an order of separation with 5s. per week maintenance.
(Erdington News, Birmingham, 1st February 1908)
BRASSFOUNDERS. – Youth to turn mediaeval handles, and Boys to edge and float. – B. Wheeler, Park Road, Aston.
9233
(Birmingham Mail, 28th October 1891)
Context Note: Grandfather of Sir Neville Bosworth.
DEATHS
WHEELER in this City October 24 1947 Benjamin Wheeler, aged 89 years. Funeral service will be held at the funeral residence of Frank Polke and Son, 1546 Fairfield Ave corner Hancock Ave on Monday Oct 27th at 3 p.m. Interment in Park cemetery
(Bridgeport Telegram, Connecticut, USA, 27th October 1947)
Context Note: Grandfather of Sir Neville Bosworth.
NECROLOGY
Death certificates recorded with the Bureau of Vital Statistics for the period Oct. 21 28 were as follows.
[…]
Benjamin Wheeler, 89, Hillside home, Oct 27
(Bridgeport Post, Connecticut, USA, 29th October 1947)
WHEELER In this City October 24 1947 Benjamin Wheeler aged 89 years Funeral services will be held at the funeral […] in Frank Polke and Son 1348 Fairfield Ave Corner Hamock Ave on Monday the 27th at 2 p.m. Interment in Park cemetery
(Bridgeport Post, Connecticut, USA; 27th October 1947)
Context Note: Family legend has it that Wheeler was a colourful character and a general nuisance; Wheeler’s wife, Ellen Susan Rhoda (Wallbank) Wheeler, got so fed up with him that she sent him packing. This article corroborates that story. Shortly afterwards, Wheeler was on a ship to the United States and he never came back.
By direction of Mr. Benjamin Wheeler, who is relinquishing,
ON THURSDAY NEXT, FEBRUARY 26, AT ROSE WORKS, 133, PARK ROAD, ASTON, BIRMINGHAM.
MESSRS. FRANK MATTHEWS & CO. have received instructions to Sell by Auction, without reserve, commencing at 11.30 sharp – the
PLANT AND MACHINERY,
including 50ft. of Benching, Stock Holes, six Leg Vices, 21ft. of Shafting and Fan, six Split Pulleys, Two LACQUERING STOVES, quantity Files and Floats, Soldering Hearth and Bellows, complete set of Plate Tools, POLISHING SPINDLES, Bench Tools, Patternmakers’ Tools, Three TURNING LATHES with back centres, quantity Mops and Bobs, Forge, Bellows, and Forge Tools, Heating Stove, Piping and cast-iron Trough, two pairs of Hand Shears, Fly Press with adjustable stop, Castor Makers’ Tools, Clamps, &c.; also the
CASTOR MAKERS’ PATTERNS AND FINISHED AND UNFINISHED STOCK
of Screw and Socket Castors, brass and china Bowls, Castor Plates, Cornice-pole Bracket and Hat and Coat Hook Patterns, gent.’s Cycle, fitted with free wheel, and numerous Effects.
Auctioneers’ Head Offices, 37, Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham (Tel. 6032). Branches at 40, High Street, Erdington (Tel. 103), and 43, Finsbury Square, London, E.C.
N.B. – The BUSINESS will first be OFFERED IN ONE LOT AS A GOING CONCERN.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 21st February 1914)
CHARGE OF FURIOUS DRIVING. – Benjamin Wheeler, of Aston, was charged with furiously driving a horse and trap, on the 18th ult. – Defendant was seen driving from Quinton at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour. – Defendant seemed to have been racing. – Mr. Howard: Racing at ten miles an hour? – Defendant afterwards came into collision with an omnibus, and was thrown out, as well as having his shafts broken. – After further evidence the Bench held that the evidence was not sufficiently clear, and dismissed the case.
(County Advertiser & Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire, 6th June 1891)
AN ALLEGED RUNNING-DOWN CASE. – At Hales Owen, yesterday, Benjamin Wheeler, of Aston, was charged with furious driving at Quinton, on the 18th of May. Evidence was given by three witnesses that the defendant was driving a horse and a light trap at a rate of ten or twelve miles an hour, and that he ran into an omnibus driven by a man named Evans, Mrs. Wheeler [Ellen Susan Rhoda (Wallbank) Wheeler] being thrown out of the trap. The Bench held there was not sufficient evidence to convict, and the case was dismissed. Defendant said he shouted to Evans when he was fifty yards away, but he would not turn aside, the result being that his (defendant’s) wife and two children [Nellie Ada Lawton (Wheeler) Bosworth and Bruce Vernon Leopold Wheeler] were severely injured by the collision. He intended to enter an action for damages, and asked the Bench for their opinion, which, however, they declined to give.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 3rd June 1891)
Context Note: Perhaps refers to this head injury reported in 1886.
ASTON POLICE COURT.
YESTERDAY. – Before Messrs. Ryland, Yates, and Cooper, and Dr. Griffiths.
RUNNING AMUCK. – Benjamin Wheeler, brass worker, Portland Street, Aston, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting the police. – On Wednesday night the prisoner quarrelled in Portland Street, and cries of “Murder!” “Police!” were heard. Police-constable Jackson ran to the place, and saw the accused very drunk. He had a table knife in his hand, and attempted to stab the constable, but was unable to reach him. Wheeler was highly excited and ran up the street, where he encountered Constable West. He endeavoured to stab this officer, but the latter warded off the blow and knocked the prisoner down. His wife [Ellen Susan Rhoda (Wallbank) Wheeler] endeavoured to take the knife off him, when he struck her with it and cut her hand. It was with great difficulty that he was taken to the station. – Mr. B. Hebbert, who defended, said that the accused bore a very good character. Some time ago he met with an injury to his head, and a couple of glasses would make him very infuriated. – For being drunk the prisoner was fined 10s., including costs, and for assaulting the police 40s. and costs in each case – in all £5. 18s.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 27th September 1890)
Our Family 2 