Here is what I thought I knew about him from the stories he told me when I was growing up.
Name: Reuel Joseph Patrick Sarsfield Desmond O'Neil Wheeler
Birthdate: 3 August 1893
Birthplace: Wellington, Sumner, Kansas
Father: Joseph Reuel Wheeler
Mother: Marion Desmond
Sibling 1: Howard Emmett Wheeler
Sibling 2: Rosalind Rochelle Wheeler
Married: Elva Ruby Brady
Marriage Place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Marriage Date: 5 November 1929
Death Date: 13 July 1975
Death Place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Moved from Kansas to Oregon when he was young.
Had an Uncle Moody who took him back home when he ran away. Uncle Moody lived in Washington state and Oregon state.
Had an Aunt Ella who married Quincy Rockwell. They lived in Nez Perce County, Idaho.
Served in the United States Army in World War I. He was in France during the war.
Stayed in the United States Army after the war, and was in the Army when he got married.
His mother died about 1920.
He did not tell me when his father died.
Joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1930. This took place in Utah. His family broke off all relationships with him when joined the Church.
Worked in the National Parks in southern Utah during the 1930s.
His wife was ready to locate the family in the 1950s, but he did not want to contact them.
Was descended from Irish royalty.
One of the last things he said to me was "Kenny, find my family."
