Wheeler was born on October 24, 1864, in
Manchester, Iowa. He had reportedly made and lost two fortunes, later moving to
Indianapolis from
California in 1904. There, he was introduced to George Schebler by
Harry C. Stutz. Together, they created the
Wheeler–Schebler Carburetor Company. Wheeler operated the administrative side, and Schebler operated the manufacturing side. He went on to start Langenskamp-Wheeler Brass Works and the Stutz Fire Engine Company. He,
Carl G. Fisher,
Arthur C. Newby and
James A. Allison were the original investors of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He committed suicide by gunshot on May 27, 1921, aged 56, in his
Indiana home. == References ==