Lloyd Wheeler (Finding Aid)

Lloyd Wheeler

1907 - 2005

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Interview Length: 143 minutes

Interview Date(s): July 23, 2002, September 23, 2002

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Insurance executive Lloyd Wheeler describes his family background, including sharing memories of his great-grandparents, who were born in slavery. Insurance executive Lloyd Wheeler relates the history of his ancestors on his father's side of the family, providing insight into the lives of African Americans in the 19th Century. Wheeler talks about how his family moved several times while he was in infant, eventually settling in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Wheeler describes his childhood and schooling there. Insurance executive Lloyd Wheeler discusses the death of his father and how it affected his family. He also describes his experiences attending Hyde Park High School and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Wheeler explains how he got his first job workiing at Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company, and details his role in his first years at the company. Insurance executive Lloyd Wheeler discusses growth and success during his time at Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company, as well as talking about the functions of the board of directors after he was elected president of the board in 1979. Wheeler explains the importance of life insurance businesses to the black community, comparing it to funeral home business. Insurance executive Lloyd Wheeler discusses the state of housing and real estate in Chicago during the mid-20th Century, detailing the institutional racism that segregated blacks to certain areas of the South Side. Wheeler then describes the factors that led to the closing of Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company. Wheeler reflects on his career, crediting his mother and with Supreme Liberty for making him the person he is.

35 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)