William A. Wheeler Biography

William A. Wheeler was an American statesman who became the 19th Vice President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881, in the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes. Born in New York, after finishing his elementary education, Wheeler attended the University of Vermont but was subsequently forced to drop out without completing his graduation due to financial crisis. Later, he studied law and was admitted to the bar, and started his legal practice in his hometown of Malone. Gradually, he gravitated to politics and became a Whig member of the New York State Assembly. In 1856, he switched to the newly formed Republican Party and thereafter remained active in state and national politicsfor many years. After serving as a member and president pro tempore of the state Senate, Wheeler became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a post he served between 1861 and 1863, and again from 1869 to 1877. Afterwards, Wheeler was nominated for vice presidency on the Republican ticket with President Rutherford B. Hayes and was subsequently installed in office through the decision of the Electoral Commission. As Vice President of the United States, Wheeler was a keen promoter of the administrative integrity, civil service reform, and aid to education in the South. After finishing his four-year term at the office, Wheeler retired to private life and later died at his hometown while in his 60s