IDENTIFICATION ON PHOTO: "Zula Wheaton"
PHOTO TAKEN: The Roehm Studio, Charlotte MI, after March 1916
PHOTO ACQUIRED: 2016 Rt127 Yardsale, Anderson County KY
This is Zula Walters-Wheaton, born 23 June 1892 in Chester Indiana to parents Jesse Armory Walters (1870-1959) and Clara C. Bowers (1870-1953). She had four other siblings, all born in Indiana:
- Lola Hazel Walters (1890-1971) m. Byron Orton Taylor
- Chancey Walters (1895-1986) m. Edna Marie Wygent
- Guy C. Walters (1901-1990) m. Jane Wilson
- Mary Augusta Walters (1902-2006) m. William Neil Letson
Her parents moved two hundred miles away to Charlotte Michigan (between Lansing and Battle Creek) around 1909/1910, but Zula remained in Chester, renting an apartment with two other girls, in order to complete high school in that location. She graduated High School in spring of 1910 and pursued a teaching certificate in Michigan. She passed the exam and by September of that same year had landed a teaching position in a one-room schoolhouse near her parents' home.
This story on the "Strange Schoolhouse" appeared in the Lansing State Journal, 13 May 1979.
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| (Click for larger version) |
In March of 1916, Zula married Earl A. Wheaton (1894-1948), a son of Alonzo Wheaton and Mary J. "Ibbie" Hammil.
1930 Census > Michigan > Ingham > Lansing
- WHEATON, Earl A., head, 35, married at age 21, born in MI of MI parents, Sheet Metal worker in Auto plant
- WHEATON, Zula I., wife, 37, married at age 23, born in IN or IN parents, no occupation
- WHEATON, Curtis M., son, 11, born in Michigan
- WHEATON, Dale D., son, 6, born in Michigan
- WHEATON, Garrett E., son, 2yr 8 mo, born in Michigan
- WALTERS, Guy C., brother-in-law, 28, single, carpenter
Earl and Zula had three sons:
Curtis Miller WHEATON (1918-2000) w. Rose Ellen Burkhart
- (they had a daughter)
Dale D. WHEATON (1924-2012)
Garrett Earl WHEATON (1928-2022) m. Barbara Huss
- James Garrett Wheaton
- Robert Bruce Wheaton
- Patricia Kay Wheaton
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| Lansing State Journal, 25 May 1948 |
After Earl died in 1948, Zula returned to teaching and secured a master's degree in education.
In 1951, Zula's parents celebrated their 62nd anniversary, which was covered in the Lansing State Journal 07 Dec 1951.
Zula's mother Clara died a couple of years later - her obit is from Battle Creek Enquirer, 21 Feb 1953.
Her father Jesse died in 1959.
There is a wonderful memorial for Zula on her page at Findagrave, where I have added this photo.
(https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29982313/zula-wheaton)
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