William Wheeler (engineer and educator)
Encyclopedia
William Wheeler was an American civil engineer and educator.
Wheeler graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1871. When his former professor, William S. Clark
was asked by the Japanese government to assist in the founding of Sapporo Agricultural College
(now Hokkaido University
), Wheeler accompanied Clark and another MAC graduate, David P. Penhallow
, to teach mathematics, civil engineering, and English. As a scientific adviser to the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission) he set up a small meteorological observatory, surveyed potential transportation routes and oversaw the construction of a canal.
At Clark's return to the United States, Wheeler became president (in Japanese, "head teacher") of SAC from 1877 to 1879. He traveled to the United States briefly, to marry Fannie Eleanor Hubbard (July 17, 1878). They lived in Sapporo for the final year of Wheeler's contract, finally returning to the United States in December 1879.
In the United States Wheeler worked as a hydraulic engineer, was active in business and community affairs and served as a trustee of Massachusetts Agricultural College (1887-1929).
Wheeler graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1871. When his former professor, William S. Clark
William S. Clark
William Smith Clark was a professor of chemistry, botany and zoology, a colonel during the American Civil War, and a leader in agricultural education. Raised and schooled in Easthampton, Massachusetts, Clark spent most of his adult life in Amherst, Massachusetts...
was asked by the Japanese government to assist in the founding of Sapporo Agricultural College
Sapporo Agricultural College
was a school in Sapporo established in the purpose of education of student who would pioneer Hokkaidō by Kaitakushi, the local government of Hokkaidō in those days...
(now Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:...
), Wheeler accompanied Clark and another MAC graduate, David P. Penhallow
David P. Penhallow
David Pearce Penhallow was a Canadian-American botanist, paleobotanist and educator.Born in Kittery Point, Maine, Penhallow graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1873 . When his former professor, William S...
, to teach mathematics, civil engineering, and English. As a scientific adviser to the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission) he set up a small meteorological observatory, surveyed potential transportation routes and oversaw the construction of a canal.
At Clark's return to the United States, Wheeler became president (in Japanese, "head teacher") of SAC from 1877 to 1879. He traveled to the United States briefly, to marry Fannie Eleanor Hubbard (July 17, 1878). They lived in Sapporo for the final year of Wheeler's contract, finally returning to the United States in December 1879.
In the United States Wheeler worked as a hydraulic engineer, was active in business and community affairs and served as a trustee of Massachusetts Agricultural College (1887-1929).