The Wheelers Leave Bad River, but Do Not Forget It

The Wheelers move south to Beloit, Wisconsin, hoping that this will help restore Leonard’s health. To provide for the eight children that remain at home, Leonard invents and patents a windmill that becomes the foundation of the Eclipse Windmill Company. Leonard’s sons William, Charles Eugene, Leonard, Jr., and Fred all work for this company, but their lack of funds makes it difficult to get the business off the ground despite the awards the windmill wins. As Leonard passes away in 1872, he lapses into Ojibwe. When told about it, he calls out farewells to various individuals he reluctantly left behind on the Bad River Reservation adding, “Tell them how much I love them.”