William W. Wheeler ca. 1780
William W. Wheeler, Sr. Born: ca. 1780 North Carolina Died: between 1830 and 1840 probably in Wayne Co., IL Buried: unknown Married: by 1812 Ann Mathis (?) Records: 1809-1812 - Illinois, Wayne Co. - Hargraves Rangers: Then in the order were the rangers, the first of whom were organized as early as 1809 in this State. They were called into existence by the law of self-protection from the Indians, who, in 1811, commenced their raids and perpetrated many terrible massacres, burning houses, stealing stock and capturing the women and children. The Indians were secretly aided and encouraged in this attack upon the whites by English emissaries, and they were the first and provoking cause that culminated in the war of 1812-15. Nearly all the first white English settlers were identified with these rangers, and they pursued the murderous midnight marauders, and at times visited upon them summary, terrible, but deserved punishment . . . These rangers did much to make this country h