Wheeler, Olin D. (Olin Dunbar), 1852-1925

Topographer, author, and railroad executive.

Born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1852, Olin D. Wheeler was a topographer with John Wesley Powell's survey of the Colorado River, 1874-1879. From 1892 to 1909 Wheeler was in charge of advertising for the Northern Pacific Railway, and was the author of its annual publication, Wonderland, which highlighted the history and scenic beauty of the northwestern United States. For the 1893 issue, Wheeler wrote about Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn; he continued to investigate the subject until his retirement in 1909. Wheeler also became interested in the history of the selection of a Pacific railway route and in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. After exploring the trail of the latter extensively, he published his two-volume The Trail of Lewis and Clark in 1904. Active in his retirement, Wheeler in 1924 was appointed historian of the Veterans' Association of the Northern Pacific Railway; he died a year later.

From the description of Olin Dunbar Wheeler papers, 1892-1924. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 44079336

Topographer, author, and railroad executive.

Born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1852, Olin D. Wheeler was a topographer with John Wesley Powell's survey of the Colorado River, 1874-1879. From 1892 to 1909 Wheeler was in charge of advertising for the Northern Pacific Railway, and was the author of its annual publication, Wonderland, which highlighted the history and scenic beauty of the region through which the railroad ran. In preparing the Wonderland issues, Wheeler became interested in the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and explored the trail extensively. His two-volume The Trail of Lewis and Clark was published in 1904.

From the description of Olin D. Wheeler photographs ca. 1880-ca. 1925. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 44072431