Homer W. Wheeler
Homer W. Wheeler (May 13, 1848 – April 11, 1930) was an American military officer and author. A veteran of the American Indian Wars and Spanish–American War, he attained the rank of colonel and wrote several books, including memoirs of his experiences on the western frontier of the United States in the late 1800s.
Homer W. Wheeler | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 13, 1848 Montgomery, Vermont |
| Died | April 11, 1930 (aged 81) Los Angeles, California |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1875-1911 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | U.S. Cavalry Branch |
| Commands held | Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, 11th Cavalry Regiment 2nd Squadron, 11th Cavalry Regiment 5th Cavalry Regiment Schofield Barracks District of Hawaii |
| Battles/wars | American Indian Wars Spanish–American War First occupation of Cuba |
| Alma mater | Eastman Business College |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Isabel Dougherty (m. 1888-1891, her death) |
| Relations | David Olmsted (grand-uncle) Orville E. Babcock (uncle) Lorenzo A. Babcock (uncle) |
| Other work | Author |
Wheeler was a native of Montgomery, Vermont, and was raised in Montgomery and in Winona, Minnesota. He attended New Hampton Institute in Fairfax, Vermont and graduated from Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1866. After working for the United States Army as a civilian, in 1875 he received a commission as a second lieutenant of Cavalry. He served in the American Indian Wars and Spanish–American War, primarily as a member of the 5th Cavalry Regiment. He later served in the 11th Cavalry Regiment, then commanded the 5th Cavalry Regiment before retiring in 1911.
After leaving the Army, Wheeler was a successful writer, and he authored several autobiographical works detailing his career in the western United States. He died in Los Angeles, California on April 11, 1930, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, New Jersey.