Lloyd Garrison Wheeler

Lloyd Garrison Wheeler, Sr. (1848 – 1909) was an African American attorney, businessman, philanthropist, and political leader. Wheeler was the first African-American to practice law in the state of Illinois and was influential in the establishment of Provident Hospital of Cook County — a medical facility still extant in the 21st century.

Biography Early years

Lloyd Garrison Wheeler was born May 29, 1848, in Mansfield, Ohio, and was named after the great abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. His father was active in the Underground Railroad movement, providing secret accommodations for escaping slaves from the Southern United States en route to freedom in Canada. After the illegalization of underground railroad activity the family moved to Chatham, Ontario, Canada, and it was there that Wheeler attended school.

Legal career

Wheeler moved South from Illinois to Arkansas. In 1870, he was a delegate to the Arkansas Republican state convention and by the following year had been admitted to the Arkansas state bar. Wheeler would make a career of managing Jones' various commercial and real estate interests on behalf of the family, eventually marrying one of Jones' nieces, the former Ranie Petit.

By 1903, with faltering businesses, Wheeler was ready to accept Washington's offer to move back South again, this time to Tuskegee, Alabama, to manage the finances of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. In addition to the handling of business affairs for the Institute, Wheeler also served as the superintendent of the school building and its campus.

Death and legacy

While at Tuskegee Wheeler's health began to decline, and he died there on August 28, 1909. He was 61 years old at the time of his death.

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