Calvin T. Wheeler
Calvin Thatcher Wheeler (1816-1899) was a Chicago banker, member of the Chicago Board of Trade and president of the exchange during the Civil War.[1] Wheeler organized and served as president of the Continental National Bank, which later became Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company.[2] Background[edit]Wheeler was born in West Galaway, New York in 1816. His earliest business career was working in his uncle's store as a clerk. In 1850, Wheeler set off on a trip to California and its gold fields. He worked as a gold miner for a while, but returned to St. Louis. In St. Louis, he was hired by J.T. Flint to open an office in the commission business under the name Flint & Wheeler. He entered the banking business as vice president of the Union National Bank. He was elected president of the bank when its president died. Wheeler left Union National Bank and organized Continental National Bank, where he was president for five years.[3] When Wheeler was president of the CBOT in 1862, President Lincoln called for 300,000 men to be called to arms to fight the Civil War.[4] Wheeler called a meeting of the CBOT in order to secure a pledge for money and influence to recruit a unit that would be called the "Board of Trade Battery." Wheeler built a mansion in Chicago on South Prairie Avenue just prior to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The mansion survived and today has been preserved.[5] He died on March 24, 1899 and is buried in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.[6] Education[edit]Wheeler's primary school education was in New York and Illinois. References[edit]
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