John H. Wheeler [b. 1908, d.1978] began his academic career at Morehouse College in 1925. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. In 1947, Wheeler graduated from the law school at the North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). Beginning as a teller at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank in 1929, he rose to become president of the bank in 1952. Mechanics and Farmers Bank was a black-owned financial institution in a city that boasted several thriving black enterprises, including the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company (N.C. Mutual). Wheeler was heavily involved in politics and education through various positions within the federal government and on various boards of trustees for institutions like Morehouse College, Atlanta University, Lincoln Hospital, and the National Scholarship Service for Negro Students. While serving two presidents, Wheeler devoted his time to the development of low-income housing, focused on race relations, and the elimination of poverty.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Nov 3, 2020

John H. Wheeler Collection

John H. Wheeler [b. 1908, d.1978] began his academic career at Morehouse College in 1925. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. In 1947, Wheeler graduated from the law school at the North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). Beginning as a teller at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank in 1929, he rose to become president of the bank in 1952. Mechanics and Farmers Bank was a black-owned financial institution in a city that boasted several thriving black enterprises, including the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company (N.C. Mutual). Wheeler was heavily involved in politics and education through various positions within the federal government and on various boards of trustees for institutions like Morehouse College, Atlanta University, Lincoln Hospital, and the National Scholarship Service for Negro Students. While serving two presidents, Wheeler devoted his time to the development of low-income housing, focused on race relations, and the elimination of poverty.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.

Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Correspondence and VEP sponsored local government seminar agenda held at Clark College.
Address by John Lewis supporting Black mayors and addressing community leadership.
Narrative outline for "The Urban Agenda: An Action Plan for the 70's", addressing housing, urban growth, and transportation.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Report of the VEP detaining projects and money allotments.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Statement from Vernon E. Jordan, VEP Director, denouncing the actions of the Senate Finance Committee.
A group stands outside of Brownlee Hall at the National Negro Business Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention.
John F. Kennedy speaks to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
Exterior of Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Fayette Street Branch, North Carolina.
A large group of Morehouse band members pose on the steps of a building.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits at his desk at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank, in Durham, North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler gives remarks before Governor Luther H. Hodges (seated at desk) and a group.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding sit at Spaulding's desk and talk.
John H. Wheeler stands with others on the steps of a government building.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits in a meeting.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Portrait of John H. Wheeler.
John H. Wheeler Collection
A residential house, possibly John H. Wheeler's home.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits on stage as part of a United Negro College Fund program. Sitting beside him is Martin Luther King, Jr., August Heckscher, Quincy Howe, and Carl Rowan.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler stands outside of a house with an unidentified man dressed in tennis gear, holding tennis rackets.
John H. Wheeler stands with an unidentified man in front of a crowd while another man presents a plaque.
John H. Wheeler Collection