Arthur C. Wheeler


Arthur Canfield Wheeler was a two-term Republican mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut from 1895 to 1896. He was a manufacturer of straw hats for over thirty years.

Early life and family

He was born in Norwalk in August 1856 and attended public schools. He was the son of Charles H. Wheeler, and Anna Eliza Canfield Wheeler. He graduated at age 14. He soon thereafter joined John P. Beatty & Company, manufacturers of straw hats. On June 23, 1880, he married Susie Cousins. In September 1888, Wheeler took possession of the factory at 13 Butler Street, where he expanded the business and employed over 200 workers. He engaged in the hat manufacturing business until 1919. He conducted the Braid and Novelty Company until his death.

Political career

When the Borough of Norwalk was first incorporated as a city in 1893, he was a member of the first City Council. He served on the City Council in 1888, 1894, and 1895. In 1895, he was elected mayor.
In 1902, he was a member of the Norwalk School Board, president of Hour Publishing Company, the publisher of the Norwalk Hour, and a member of the board of directors of the Fairfield County Savings Bank.

Associations