Wheaton, Herbert E., 1871-1954.

Herbert E. Wheaton was born in Janesville, Minnesota on July 14, 1871, the son of Hudson and Fannie E. (Boehm) Wheaton. He graduated from the Wisconsin State Normal School at LaCrosse, following which he worked in the Hokah public school as a teacher (1898-1910) and principal (1910-1912). In 1912 he became editor and publisher of the Hokah Chief, a weekly newspaper that he ran until his 1952 retirement. During his tenure the newspaper was known for scathing (conservative) political commentary and racy humor.

Wheaton also served as mayor of Hokah (1938-1940), represented the first district in the Minnesota House of Representatives (1940-1941), and was active in newspaper associations and in the Republican Party.

He married Louisa E. Wiegand [Allie Snure] (d. 1925) in 1898, her sister Matilda E. Snure [Tillie] in 1928, and Sophie Kaemerling Arnold in 1934. Wheaton died in Caledonia on July 27, 1954, and was survived by his wife Sophie, a son (Herbert H., Fresno, California), and three daughters (Gladys Ahrens, Cleveland; Marilouise Jackson, Birmingham, Michigan; and Dorothy Tinsley, Arlington, Texas).

From the guide to the Herbert Wheaton and family papers., 1888-1954., (Minnesota Historical Society)