Wheeler was born in New Baltimore, New York, USA, on 5 March 1833, to parents Daniel Palmer (1789–1867) and Anna Searles (1799–1833). Her mother died just eight days after giving birth to her. She had at least five older siblings: Mary Eliza Travis (1817–1868), Martha Wolfe (1819–1894), Elias Palmer (1823–1859), Sarah Jane Wheeler (1828–1861), and Hannah Smith (1831–1868). Her father later remarried to Eleanor Thorn.

In the early 1860s, she married William Henry Wheeler (1824–1894), who had been widowed in 1861 and had two children from his first marriage: Violetta Wheeler (1856–1906) and Antoinette Wheeler (1859–1941). Together, they had a son named Clinton H. Wheeler (1864–1935).

When asked about the secret of her longevity, she replied: “Early to bed and early to rise, eat lightly and get fun out of life.” At the age of 109, Wheeler used to engage in solving numerous crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She maintained her connection with current events by regularly reading newspapers, all while experiencing no physical discomfort. On her 110th birthday, it was disclosed that Wheeler had experienced a fall and sustained minor injuries a few months earlier.

Wheeler passed away in Coxsackie, New York, USA, on 19 December 1943, at the age of 110 years, 289 days.