California Biographies, San Bernardino County and Riverside County

History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties 
By: John Brown, Jr., Editor for San Bernardino County 
And James Boyd, Editor for Riverside County 
With selected biography of actors and witnesses of the period 
of growth and achievement.
Volume III, the Western Historical Association, 1922, 
The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

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JAMES F. WHEAT 
 
           James F. Wheat, postmaster of Redlands, and while this is his first term
in that office, he has proved his exceptional ability as a public official in San
Bernardino County, and won the recognition due him. He was selected for his
first position as a live wire, a worth-while man and an indefatigable worker,
and he filled the position with recognized efficiency and devoted, painstaking
care. In his present office he has shown himself to be master of every detail,
the right man for the right office. Mr. Wheat was born in London, Minnesota,
December 3, 1871, the son of James M. and Almira E. (Foot) Wheat, both
natives of New York. James M. Wheat went to Minnesota in the early days
of that country, and practiced there as a physician for many years. He was
actively interested in politics and a power in his party. He was state senator
for eight years. He came with his family to California in the fall of 1887 and 
located in Redlands, continuing his practice there and also serving as health
officer of that city for nearly twenty-five years. He died there in 1910, at the 
age of eighty-six. His widow is now living in Redlands. They were the parents
of two children, Ida M., who died two years ago, and James F. James F.
Wheat was educated in the grade schools of Minnesota and of Redlands 
and then attended business college in Los Angeles. He entered the 
business world by means of a real estate of and insurance business in 
Redlands, and his activities in that line soon attracted attention and created
public confidence. He made hosts of friends and deserved every one of them.
He was a young boy when brought to Redlands, and he grew up in that city.
In 1910 he was elected city treasurer of Redlands, and was re-elected five 
times, resigning in the middle of his fifth term to accept the position of county
recorder, which he held until January 1, 1922, resigning to accept the 
postmastership of Redlands, which position he now holds. Mr. Wheat 
prospered in his business life, and owns a fine orange grove in Redlands.
He married August 20, 1896, Gertrude Masten, a daughter of Benjamin F.
Masten, of Indiana. They have two children, Mildred and Marjorie. Both are
graduates of the Union High School, and Marjorie is now attending the 
University of Redlands. Miss Mildred is an accomplished pianist, and is
practicing her profession in Los Angeles, where she gives instruction and is
an accomplished pianist, and is practicing her profession in Los Angeles, 
where she gives instruction and is accompanist for prominent singers of the
coast. Mrs. Wheat is a prominent club women, being a member of the Con-
temporary Club and also one of the Landmarks Association committee of the
Woman's Federated Clubs. She was chairman of the Committee. Mr. Wheat
is fraternally connected with the Redlands Lodge, No. 583, B. P. O. E. Polit-
ically he is a strong Republican.
 
 
Pages 1108 to 1109.
  
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, February 2010.