Henry Wheeler was born at Oxford, and married Fanny (nee Knight) in London in 1861.

Fanny was born at Rushden in 1840, daughter of John Knight, a shoemaker and Maria, and baptised at St Mary’s Church on February 16^th.

Their son Henry John was born in 1862, a daughter Maria in 1866, and daughter May in 1868, all at Headington, Oxford.

They came to Rushden soon after May was born, and Henry first worked as a butler.

The family continued to grow, with Minney in 1871, Thomas in 1875 and Laura in 1880. Henry had found work as a shoe riveter, and the family had moved to 11 Church Street.

By 1891 Henry was an established house painter, and a signwriter. His widowed mother Sarah, was with the family. His son Thomas, now aged 16, was also working as a house decorator. In November 1896 he applied to the Council to build a workshop.

[We belive this advert is for Henry Wheeler's as his obituary says he was a noted engraver]

In 1903 Kelly's Directory lists Henry Wheeler & Son, plumbers, at number 11.

Daughter Maria married Charles Herbert Knight at St Mary's Church on 2nd August 1891.

Henry and Fanny were buried in Rushden cemetery Grave B 873.