William Wheeler, became Vice President after one of our nations closest and most highly contested elections and served from 1877 to 1891. 

He was born in Malone New York. His father left when he was eight and his mother took in borders from the nearby Franklin Academy to support the family. Young William worked on the farm and saved money for college while attending Franklin. He was accepted at the University of Vermont, but to save money he often lived on bread and water. He had to leave due to an eye infection and returned to New York.


While teaching school he studied law and passed the bar in 1845. He served as District Attorney for Franklin County from 1846 to 1848. He was elected to the New York state assembly as a Whig served from 1850 to 51. He returned to state government in 1858 and seved two years in the state senate. In 1858 he joined the new Republican party and was elected to the US House of Represenatives and served from 1861 to 1863. He was again elected to congress and served from 1869 until he became the Vice President in 1877. In addition to his elected offices William Wheeler was also an associate of the Bank of Malone and President of the New York Northern Railroad. 

Wheeler's years in the US Congress was during the time when party boss and Senator Roscoe Conklin was the dominent power. Conklin once told Wheeler, "If you act with us there is nothing in the gift of the state of New York to which you may not aspire." Wheeler responded "Mr Conklin, there is nothing in the gift of the state of New York which will compensate me for the forfeiture of my self respect." It was Wheeler’s reputation for honesty, including a time when he not only refused railroad stock during the Credit Mobilier scandal but also resigned his chairmanship to avoid any conflict of interest, that caught the eye of Republican leaders looking for good national candidates. 

In 1874 riots broke out in Louisianna after both Republicans and Democrats declared victory in the Governors race. In what became known as the Wheeler compromise Kellogg, the Republican, became governor and the legislature had a majority of Democrats. Radical Republicans thought that Wheeler had given in to "Southern" Democrats to which Wheeler responded, "It was time to admit to the failure of effort to promote peace with the sword." The Wheeler compromise helped pave the way for the end of Reconstruction during Hayes administration. 

When Rutherford B Hayes read in the paper a prediction that the Republican ticket for 1876 would be Hayes and Wheeler he asked his wife, Who is William Wheeler? 

During the campaign a song was written "We'll go for Hayes, We'll Wheeler in on time". And a cartton was published showing the vice presidential candidate with Hayes in a wheelbarrow going to the White House. Because of ill health and a poor speaking voice Wheeler refused to campaign. 

After a long delay of bickering and compromise Hayes and Wheeler took office. Like other vice presidents before him Wheeler found the job dull and boring. He also resented not being included in cabinet meetings, or as one of Hayes close advisors. He did however have to vote six times in the Senate to break ties. 

After he retired from politics he was completely forgotton and rarely mentioned in the papers or future history books. He died in 1887. 

What are people remembered for? No doubt Wheeler's reputation for honesty was a boone to the Republicans when so many of their top political leaders were tarnished by scandals during the Grant Administration, but he also angered some Republicans for his attitude on reconstruction, and his refusal to campaign.