Richard Drummond Wheeler, Jr.

Richard Drummond Wheeler, Jr. was born August 30, 1846, at Careyville, in Campbell County, Tennessee, the son of Richard Drummond Wheeler and Charlotte S. Bridgman.

Goodspeed's History of Campbell County, Tennessee, 1887, states that Richard was "the twelfth child, and eighth son" born to Richard and Charlotte Wheeler.

The 1850 Campbell County, Tennessee census lists him as Richard A. Wheeler.  We believe Richard's name was Richard Alexander Drummond Wheeler, since his only son was named Alexander. 

Richard appears on the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 Campbell County census with his parents and siblings.  The 1880 Campbell County census, Jacksboro Township, shows R. D. Wheeler, 33, a farmer.  Living with him is his mother, C. Wheeler, 72 years old and his nephew, 12 year old  J. R. Waisman.

Richard married Louisa "Lucy" Sharp on September 29, 1880, in Campbell County.  Lucy Sharp was born May 16, 1858, in Campbell County, the daughter of Henry Dunn Sharp and Julia Alice Miller. 

William Sharp was born August 12, 1815 and died June 20, 1880, in Campbell County.  He was the son of John Sharp (b. 1791, VA) and Nancy Dunn.  Julia Miller was born October 6, 1827 and died December 27, 1923, in Campbell County.   Julia was the daughter of John Miller (b. 1791; d. 1865) and Elizabeth Suddoth (b. 1791; d. 1873).   William and Julia Sharp's children were: (1) Elizabeth Sharp, b. Mar 1846; (2) Nancy Sharp, b. Aug 1848; (3) Martha Sharp, b. Nov 1850; (4) John M. Sharp, b. Apr 1853; (5) Bradley Sharp, b. Jan 1856; (6) Louisa "Lucy" Sharp, b. 1858; (7) Isabella Sharp, b. Jan 1861; (8) Mary Lee Sharp, b. Apr 1863; m. Joseph Elijah Wheeler (Richard Jr's. brother) ; (9) Jeffferson D. Sharp, b. Dec 1867; d. bef. 1870: (10) Juliana Sharp, b. Jan 1869; d. bef 1870 and (11) Ellen Sharp, b. abt 1872.   (Note: The 1900 Campbell Co. census shows Julia (Miller) Sharp had given birth to 11 children, 7 were still living at that time.)

Goodspeed's History of Campbell County, Tennessee, 1887, states that Richard "was reared to farming and has devoted most of his life to farming and stock raising. He now owns and cultivates a farm of more than 200 acres of land in his district. He has served his county, as sheriff, two terms...... He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and is a Master Mason".

The 1900 Campbell County census, 4th Civil District, shows Richard D. Wheeler, 53, born August 1846, married 20 years, a farmer who owned his farm; Louisa, wife, 40, born April 1860, married 20 years, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living; and Charlie A., son, 10, born April 1881. Also living with the family was Bethany Marlow, adopted daughter, 16, born March 1884, in Tennessee.

Richard died between 1900 and 1910, in either Campbell County or Hamilton County, Tennessee.  

Louisa was living with her son in 1910.  The 1910 Hamilton County, Tennessee census shows Charles Wheeler, 28, married 1 time for 9 years, salesman, rented his house; Lizzie, wife, 26, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living; Ellis, son, 7 and Lou Wheeler, mother, 48, widow, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living. 

We have been told that Louisa died June 4, 1941. 

Child of Richard Wheeler, Jr. and Lucy Sharp