Etta Agnell Wheeler

Etta Angell Wheeler (June 14, 1834 - December 5, 1921) was the rescuer and advocate of Mary Ellen Wilson, whose infamous abuse story led to the creation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Wheeler was also influential in the society’s creation because she convinced future founder of the society, Henry Bergh, who at the time was founder of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to take on the issue and spearhead the case.

Etta Angell was born in Spencerport, New York, a suburb area of Rochester. She resided with her mother, Sally Angell, and sister Elizabeth Spencer, and it was here she met Charles Wheeler, whom she married. Charles Wheeler later inherited a moderate home from his deceased father in New York, New York.

In New York City, Etta Wheeler was a Methodist missionary of St. Luke’s Mission for the poor. Her work consisted of going to poor parishioners of her church and providing meals, supplies, and donations from the mission. She further added to her duties by checking in on individuals, conversing with them, and providing aid around their homes. She was assigned two routes; between West 38th Street and West 42nd Street and between 47th Street and 53rd Street. These areas that were later referred to as Hell's Kitchen. When able, Wheeler extended her care to those who were not part of the church.

Charles Wheeler was a reporter for the New York Daily News, a position which he held for more than 12 years. While her husband worked long hours at the paper, Etta was consumed with her work for the mission and she devoted her life to the church and taking care of the needy. Once married, the Wheelers decided against having any children because they believed there were already too many unloved children in the world. The Wheelers lived outside the slums.

It was on one of her rounds on 41st Street, in December 1873, that a tenant of a building approached Wheeler and spoke of a family, the Connollys, that once resided there. They apparently had with them a little daughter that was barely seen but her screams and the mother’s, Mary Connolly, brutality, were often heard.

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