Name/Title
Judge Ralph WheelerEntry/Object ID
2008.0416.202Description
Oil portrait of Judge Ralph Wheeler (1843-1913)
Born on May 14, 1843 in Stonington, son of Hiram Worthington Wheeler (1805-1891) and Mary B. Wheeler(1812-1885). A graduate of Yale College in 1864, he was admitted to the Bar of New London County in 1867. He was elected to the Board of Education of the City of New London in 1868; common Councilman in 1869; State Senator in 1874; mayor of New London, 1891-1893; and Associate Judge of the Superior Court in 1893 until his death.
In 1881 he bought the land west of the Robinson Burial Ground on Broad Street in the Borough, and built two houses on it, today 6 and 8 Broad Street. In the 1920s these were sold by his estate. Wheeler Court, which runs along the west wall of the burial ground, is named for him.
On February 28, 1884, at age 40, Wheeler married Mrs. Helen M. Graves of Kennebunkport, Maine. He died in New London of February 14, 1913 and was buried with his parents in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. His widow died on December 27, 1919, and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London with her son, Charles Burr Graves (1860-1936) under the name of Graves.
On May 30, 1878, 'The Stonington Mirror' reported "Hon. Ralph Wheeler of New London is having his portrait painted in oil by some celebrated artist". We regret that the artist's name was not given as the signature on portrait is difficult to decipher.
Size: 33 x 27 1/2 inches
Artist: illegibleCollection
SHS Art CollectionMade/Created
Date made
1880 - 1910Notes
Date: 1900sInscription/Signature/Marks
Location
a signature lower right with 1911