Dora V. Wheelock

Dora V. Wheelock (August 26, 1847 – February 3, 1923) was an American activist and writer involved in the temperance movement.

Dora V. Wheelock, "A woman of the century"

Early years and education

Pedora (nickname, "Dora") Velina Palmer was born in Calais, Vermont, August 26, 1847.[1][2] Her parents were of New England background, with French ancestry. Her great-grandfather was a captain in the American Revolutionary War. Her father, a Christian minister,[3] died when she was three years old, leaving a family of small children, of whom she was the youngest. She became involved in church and Sunday school work at the age of thirteen.[3]

In 1865, Wheelock graduated from the high school of Berlin, Wisconsin.[4][5]

Career

On July 20, 1865, in Berlin, Wisconsin, she married Oren Newell Wheelock (1841–1930),[1][6][7] a merchant of that city, who became a State Banker. They lived first in Iowa, and then in Wisconsin, till 1873, when they settled in Beatrice, Nebraska, where Oren went on to become mayor.[8]

Wheelock was interested in church, foreign missionary and school work. From 1883, she became involved in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).[3] In 1885, she compiled a pamphlet of 216 pages, constituting the 20th Annual WCTU Report of Nebraska.[9] She served for several years as local president and three years as president of Gage County, Nebraska.[4] In 1899, she was state vice-president.[10]

In the spring of 1889, Wheelock was elected to a position on the board of education of Beatrice. She served as State superintendent of press work, and reporter for the Union Signal for Nebraska. She wrote much; her articles appeared in the Youth's Companion, Union Signal, and various other publications. Wheelock was a strong advocate of woman's enfranchisement, though not known as a special worker in the field. She championed the cause of woman's progress.[4]

In 1906, after having served as president of the Nebraska state WCTU for the past five years, she removed to Loveland, Colorado.[11]

Personal life

Wheelock's hobbies included music, both vocal and instrumental; she was also a painter.[4]

The Wheelocks had three sons, Oren (b. 1866), Charles (b. 1876), and Herbert (1880–1880); and two daughters, Della (b. 1870) and Mary (1874–1875).[1] In May 1917, it was reported that Wheelock was critically ill at her home in Loveland.[12] She died February 3, 1923, at her home in Loveland. Funeral service were held at Beatrice's Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. Burial was held in the Beatrice cemetery.[3]

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References

Citations
  1. Chapin family association 1924, p. 2244.
  2. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 764.
  3. "Tribute to Mrs. Dora Wheelock - Former Pioneer and W. C. T. U. Worker Laid to Rest in Beatrice Cemetery - Active in Church Circles in City in Early Day - Father was Christian Minister - Survived by Husband and Three Children". Newspapers.com. The Beatrice Daily Express. 6 February 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 765.
  5. "Berlin, Wisconsin High School Graduates". www.rockvillemama.com. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  6. "Rites for O. Wheelock". Newspapers.com. Beatrice Daily Sun. 26 February 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. "O. N. Wheelock Dies; Former State Banker". Newspapers.com. The Nebraska State Journal. 25 February 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  8. "Mrs. O. N. Wheelock Dies in Colorado". Newspapers.com. The Beatrice Daily Express. 5 February 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  9. "20th Annual W. C. T. U. Report". Newspapers.com. 8 January 1895. p. 4. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  10. "Last Meeting of W. C. T. U." Newspapers.com. The Nebraska State Journal. 11 August 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. "Reception to Mrs. Wheelock". Newspapers.com. Beatrice Daily Sun. 2 October 1906. p. 1. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  12. "People You Know". Newspapers.com. The Nebraska State Journal. 23 May 1917. p. 9. Retrieved 29 May 2019.

Attribution

Bibliography
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