Thomas Arthur Wheelock was a Bemidji resident since 1898 and was long associated with the city’s business life.
Thomas Wheelock was born in Keene, New Hampshire on April 29, 1864. He never saw his father, for he died in a Confederate prison after accompanying Sherman on his famous march through Georgia. He was originally named Pennington after his father’s army captain, but later changed the name to Thomas.
At an early age, Mr. Wheelock moved west to Decatur, Ill. where he entered the poultry business and supported his mother for many years. On Sept 22, 1886, at Peoria, Ill., he married Cecilia Shadrick.
Mr. Wheelock’s next move was to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he learned the hand carving trade and was employed making furniture. From there he went to St. Paul where for several years he worked with James J. Hill in building the Empire system of the present Great Northern Railroad.
Another move brought him to Grand Forks, where he stayed 10 months operating a restaurant, and on May 17, 1898 he arrived in Bemidji on the first train to make the Grand Forks-Duluth trip over the newly completed tracks.
In Bemidji, Mr. Wheelock was both florist and tobacconist for a time but then entered the employment business, in which he earned the nickname of “man catcher” for his ability to secure workers for the lumberjack crews and sawmills. He also operated the Bemidji Opera House and brought many stage productions to the city.
An 1899 ad touted: “Wheelock’s is the only News Depot. A full line of Magazines, Periodicals and Sheet Music. Will order anything you want that is not in stock. Also a full line of Fruits, Confectionery and Novelties.” (Sept 7, 1899)
In 1900, an ad ran: “Hello there. Here we are. Wheelock’s is the place to get fine ice cream, soda water and all kinds of soft drinks. We are the only one that carries Funke’s celebrated chocolate. Also the finest line of cigars and tobacco.” (June 7, 1900)
He moved his business in June 1900 into the old post office building and enlarged it to accommodate his increasing business. “Wheelock will carry a full line of News and Stationery, Fruit and Confectionery, Tobacco and Cigars. Wheelock Is Furnishing Bemidji people with a line of News that equals any city line carried. All of the latest publications can be had at his place.” (June 7, 1900)
Soon, however, Mr. Wheelock became interested in the outdoor advertising business and established the Wheelock Poster Advertising Service. This business was Mr. Wheelock’s main occupation until his retirement, and for several years before his death, he was the oldest living member of the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Association.
The Wheelock family owned a home at 1423 Minnesota Avenue from sometime in the 1920s to the death of Mrs. Celia Wheelock on June 20, 1961.
Wheelock’s Merchandising Mart was at 507 Beltrami Ave. “Used Furniture, Bought-Sold-Resold.” (Jan 7, 1944)
Known as “Buck” to his friends, Mr. Wheelock continued to have many callers ever after a broken pelvis bone about 1941 made it impossible for him to walk.
Mr. Wheelock died on Sept 27, 1948. He had spent 50 years in Bemidji. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church and burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
A young son, Frederick, age 12, died in an unfortunate accident in 1906. He was survived by his widow and two other sons, Roy Atwood and Thomas Arthur.