This home is identified as a Gable Front Home, and was originally built by William Sheldon Carpenter & his wife Martha. William was the youngest child of Henry & Martha Carpenter who were among the first settlers in Downers Grove. William was about 38 years old when he and his wife built this home. William was a licensed Pharmacist in town and in his store was the long distance telephone where “one may if he so desires, speak with anyone in the principal cities of the U.S” per an article in the Downers Grove Reporter 11/28/1895. William was also President of the Village Board from 1894 to 1896. The Carpenter’s sold their home in 1905 to Allen & Elizabeth Wheeler and moved with their daughter Nellie to California.

Allan Wheeler was also an early settler in Downers Grove. He moved with his parents to Downers Grove when he was about 4 years old in 1844 from New York. He was a farmer and known for raising “fine Durham Cattle.” His farmland was located approximately at Fairview Ave & 55th St. He served as a Private Il Co E, 8th Cavalry in the Union Army during the Civil War. He and his wife lived in this home until their deaths. Allan died in 1921 and Elizabeth died in 1923. He and his wife are buried in Oak Crest Cemetery. They had 8 children. 3 of their children are buried in in the Main Street Cemetery.

Researched by Chuck Holtzen. Photo by Sydney Musselman.