Clayton L. Wheeler

Clayton L. Wheeler (March 30, 1876 in Hancock, Delaware County, New York – December 27, 1950 in Hancock, Delaware Co., NY) was an American politician from New York.

Life
He was the son of Samuel North Wheeler (1851–1924) and Theodora (LaBarre) Wheeler (1852-1922). He attended the public schools and graduated from Hancock High School in 1892. Then he became a partner in his father's wholesale hardware and plumbing business.

Wheeler was a member of the New York State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1911 and 1912; and of the New York State Senate (39th D.) in 1913 and 1914.

In the New York State Senate he worked with another state senator, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to oppose the Democrats in the Tammany Hall political machine of New York City and the Republicans elsewhere in the State. In 1912, Franklin wrote Clayton a letter congratulating him on his recent win in the state senate race, saying "[y]ou have made a great record in your normally Republican district and I am encouraged to think that the voter appreciates it." While running for governor of New York, Franklin also delivered a speech in Hancock, saying of Clayton: "there isn't a finer citizen anywhere in the State of New York than my friend your fellow townsman."

In August 1915, he was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York and remained in office until October 1921 when he resigned. During his tenure as U.S. Marshal he resided in Utica, New York.