| Leominster: Funeral of Dr. Charles A. Wheeler
The funeral of Dr. Charles A. Wheeler was held at the Orthodox Congragational church, Monday afternoon, a brief service at the house preceding the church service. Long before the hour set for the service people began to gather at the church and before the funeral cortege arrived nearly every set in the large auditorium was filled, notwithstanding the inclement weather which in itself was the highest mark of respect that could be paid to the deceased, whose memory will linger long in the hearts of those who attended the sad service and of the hundreds who from various causes were denied the privilege of paying the last tribute of respect. The front of the platform and the speaker's desk were literally hidden from view by the beautiful floral tributes and upon the casket, which was covered by the Stars and Stripes, rested the offerings of his Masonic comrades. Miss Hattie Brown presided at the organ and the solemn strains of the "Dead March in Saul," as the body was borne into the church, was a fitting introduction to the impressive service which was to follow. ..... of Jerusalem Commandery, Post 53 G. A. R., the officers of the L. H. S. Cadets to whom the deceased had been a great friend and staunch supporter, and a firing squad from Co. B, 6th regiment, M. V. M., occupied the center seats in the auditorium while on the left were seated in a body the Leominster Doctors' club and representatives of the Worcester North Medical association, including Drs. Stimson and Thompson of Fitchburg. While the procession was entering the church, Rev. Charles Macfarland of Malden read the Scripture beginning, "I am the resurrection and the life." The service began with a selection by the quartet, "One sweetly solemn thought," the quartet being composed of Mrs. Louise Blackmore, Mrs. Fred Young, Stanley Brennan and Dr. Claude Beedle of Fitchburg. Scripture reading followed after which Dr. Macfarland delivered a feeling and eminently fitting eulogy at the commencement of which he said that his position was a hard and trying one and asked that his hearers pardon him should he fail as it would not be from a failure to appreciate the opportunity to speak of his friend, but from a fullness of the heart and feelings which words failed to express. He spoke of his travels with the departed and of the many heart to heart talks which they had enjoyed and he doubted if any one present had a deeper insight into the heart and intellect of Dr. Wheeler than did he. He spoke of him as a deep thinker, regarding the serious things in life and he characterized him as a true Christian man whose religion was of the heart, a man who loved justice, honesty, uprightness, truth, and who loved his flag. He spoke of his love for his G. A. R. comrades and his fraternal companions. His love for his home was sublime and his pride in his sons was of the sort that commended itself to all fathers, and he left behind him an example of a brave, strong, true, hearty man. A prayer, a selection by the quartet, "Crossing the Bar," and the benediction closed the church service. The Templar burial service was then conducted by Eminent Commander C. Willis Bennett of Jerusalem Commandery, assisted by Prelate Preston Smith and Past Eminent Commander E. D. Moody during which there were two selections by the quartet, "The Christian's Goodnight" and "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and the following Masonic record was read: "Born in Fitchburg, Dec. 6, 1836; died in Boston, Feb. 11, 1904; made a Master Mason in Wilder Lodge, Nov. 13, 1866; raised to the exalted degree of Royal Arch Chap.. in Athol Chapter, March 7, 1869; knighted in Jerusalem Commanders, Sept. 20, 1877; was worshipful master of Wilder Lodge, 1869 - 70 and 1872 - 4." At the close of the service an opportunity was given all to take a farewell look at the remains and there were few tearless eyes that passed beyond the casket. Upon leaving the church the procession was formed, headed by the Leominster Military band, E. D. Baker leader, F. J. Metcalf, drum major; Jerusalem Commandery, Knight Templars, of Fitchburg; Post 53, C. S. Damon commander, and the firing squad from Co. B., 6th regiment, in barges, the hearse and a long line of carriages. At the grave three volleys were fired as the casket was lowered, taps were sounded and all that remained of an esteemed citizen and well-beloved friend was consigned to its last resting place. The honorary bearers were Gen. A. B. R. Sprague of Worcester, Nahum Harwood, D. C. Nickerson, C. H. Richardson, Albert Wood and G. F. Morse. The active bearers were A. L. Whitney, Dr. C. E. Bigelow, M. H. Bosworth, A. C. Merriman, W. N. Maynard of this town and B. Marshall Pitts of Fitchburg, all of Jerusalem Commandery. During the funeral all the stores, the banks and the Leominster club were closed as a mark of respect. Among the people from out of town was Lucius Field of Clinton, commander of the department of Mass. G. A. R. |