Laban Wheaton

Laban Wheaton (March 13, 1754 – March 23, 1846) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

Laban Wheaton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts
In office March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1817
Preceded by	Josiah Dean
Succeeded by	Marcus Morton (10th)
Constituency	9th district (1809–15) 10th district (1815–17)
Chief Justice of the Court of Sessions for Bristol County
In office May 25, 1819 – 1820
Preceded by	Josiah Dean[1]
Succeeded by	Office Abolished
Chief Justice of The Court of Common Pleas of Bristol County
In office May 18, 1810 – May 25, 1819
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1803-1808 1825
Personal details
Born	(1754-03-13)March 13, 1754 Mansfield, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Died	March 23, 1846(1846-03-23) (aged 92) Norton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Resting place	Norton Cemetery
Political party	Federalist
Children	Laban M. Wheaton[2] Eliza Wheaton Strong
Alma mater	Harvard College
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and education

Born in Mansfield in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Wheaton attended Wrentham Academy. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1774. He studied theology under a private instructor at Woodstock, Connecticut. He also studied law.

Wheaton was admitted to the bar in 1788 and commenced practice in Milton, Massachusetts.

Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Wheaton served as member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1803–1808, and again in 1825.

Judicial career

Wheaton served as judge of the Bristol County Court. He was appointed chief justice of the court of common pleas of Bristol County May 18, 1810, which position he held until appointed chief justice of the court of sessions for Bristol County^[1] on May 25, 1819, but this court was abolished in 1820.^[3]

Election to congress

Wheaton was elected as a Federalist to the Eleventh and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1817).

In 1834 Wheaton established the Wheaton Female Seminary (now Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts) as a memorial to his recently deceased daughter, Eliza Wheaton Strong.

Death and burial

Wheaton died in Norton, Massachusetts, on March 23, 1846, at the age of 92. He was interred in Norton Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "Laban Wheaton (id: W000329)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.