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.
57 Objects displayed
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An unidentified group of young men and women seated on the steps of a house.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Unidentified Scholar Group, circa 1900
Date Created
1895/1905
Description
An unidentified group of young men and women seated on the steps of a house.
Subject
African American scholars, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A young man, possibly John H. Wheeler, holds a violin.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Young Man with Violin, circa 1920
Date Created
1915/1925
Description
A young man, possibly John H. Wheeler, holds a violin.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African Americans--Music
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A group of young schoolchildren pose with their teacher.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Schoolchildren Group, circa 1920
Date Created
1915/1925
Description
A group of young schoolchildren pose with their teacher.
Subject
African American children, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A large group of Morehouse band members pose on the steps of a building.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Morehouse Band, circa 1927
Date Created
1925/1929
Description
A large group of Morehouse band members pose on the steps of a building.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Campus life, African Americans--Music
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler's daughter Julia holding a doll.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Julia Wheeler, circa 1940
Date Created
1938/1943
Description
John H. Wheeler's daughter Julia holding a doll.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American children
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Brochure explaining registration and voting in North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"How to Register and Vote in North Carolina", 1943
Date Created
1943
Description
Brochure explaining registration and voting in North Carolina.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits at a large table with other men.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1950
Date Created
1947/1953
Description
John H. Wheeler sits at a large table with other men.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with his wife, Selena.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. and Selena Wheeler, circa 1950
Date Created
1947/1953
Description
John H. Wheeler with his wife, Selena.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler rides a bike with a young man, possibly his son.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler Riding a Bicycle, circa 1950
Date Created
1947/1953
Description
John H. Wheeler rides a bike with a young man, possibly his son.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A group stands outside of Brownlee Hall at the National Negro Business Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Negro Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention, 1952
Date Created
1952
Description
A group stands outside of Brownlee Hall at the National Negro Business Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits at his desk at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank, in Durham, North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler Sitting at His Desk, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1957
Description
John H. Wheeler sits at his desk at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank, in Durham, North Carolina.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding sit at Spaulding's desk and talk.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1957
Description
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding sit at Spaulding's desk and talk.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Exterior of Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Fayette Street Branch, North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1958
Description
Exterior of Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Fayette Street Branch, North Carolina.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler stands with an unidentified man in front of a crowd while another man presents a plaque.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler at Presentation, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1958
Description
John H. Wheeler stands with an unidentified man in front of a crowd while another man presents a plaque.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A young man (possibly John H. Wheeler' son) sits in a boxcar in front of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank. Painted on car, "Supecar".
John H. Wheeler Collection
Young Man in Boxcar, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1958
Description
A young man (possibly John H. Wheeler' son) sits in a boxcar in front of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank. Painted on car, "Supecar".
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American teenagers
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Exterior view of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank building.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1958
Description
Exterior view of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank building.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with a group of men and women. A small attached picture is a seated woman and two boys.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1960
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
John H. Wheeler with a group of men and women. A small attached picture is a seated woman and two boys.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A group of men stand on a tennis court holding rackets.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Tennis Group, circa 1960
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
A group of men stand on a tennis court holding rackets.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American athletes
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler shovels dirt at an unidentified groundbreaking event.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler at Groundbreaking, circa 1965
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
John H. Wheeler shovels dirt at an unidentified groundbreaking event.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with a group of men in a board room.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Group, circa 1960
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
John H. Wheeler with a group of men in a board room.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Portrait of John H. Wheeler.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1963
Description
Portrait of John H. Wheeler.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John F. Kennedy speaks to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John F. Kennedy Speaking to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1962
Description
John F. Kennedy speaks to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler gives remarks before Governor Luther H. Hodges (seated at desk) and a group.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler Speaking, circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1962
Description
John H. Wheeler gives remarks before Governor Luther H. Hodges (seated at desk) and a group.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler stands with others on the steps of a government building.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1962
Description
John H. Wheeler stands with others on the steps of a government building.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Brochure about voting registration in Durham, North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"You Can't Vote Unless You Re-Register", 1962
Date Created
1962
Description
Brochure about voting registration in Durham, North Carolina.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voting rights booklet from the North Carolina Voter Education project.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"You Too Can Register to Vote", circa 1966
Date Created
1963/1969
Description
Voting rights booklet from the North Carolina Voter Education project.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voting rights booklet from the North Carolina Voter Education project.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"Know Your Voting Rights", circa 1966
Date Created
1963/1969
Description
Voting rights booklet from the North Carolina Voter Education project.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Brochure for the citizenship school and voter registration.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"Citizenship Education Program", circa 1966
Date Created
1963/1969
Description
Brochure for the citizenship school and voter registration.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Narrative outline for "The Urban Agenda: An Action Plan for the 70's", addressing housing, urban growth, and transportation.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"The Urban Agenda," circa 1968
Date Created
1963/1973
Description
Narrative outline for "The Urban Agenda: An Action Plan for the 70's", addressing housing, urban growth, and transportation.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
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 at UNCF Meeting, circa 1966
Date Created
1964/1969
Description
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.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Report of the VEP detaining projects and money allotments.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project Report, circa 1967
Date Created
1965/1969
Description
Report of the VEP detaining projects and money allotments.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits in a meeting.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler, circa 1968
Date Created
1965/1970
Description
John H. Wheeler sits in a meeting.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Various news clippings about or mentioning the VEP.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News Clippings, circa 1968
Date Created
1966/1969
Description
Various news clippings about or mentioning the VEP.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Correspondence and VEP sponsored local government seminar agenda held at Clark College.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP: Correspondence and Seminar Agenda, 1967
Date Created
1967
Description
Correspondence and VEP sponsored local government seminar agenda held at Clark College.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Brochure explaining registration and voting in North Carolina, published by the League of Women Voters in Durham.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"The ABC's of Voting", 1967
Date Created
1967
Description
Brochure explaining registration and voting in North Carolina, published by the League of Women Voters in Durham.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News, Vol. 1, No. 1, June 1967
Date Created
1967-06
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News, Vol. 1 No. 2, July 1967
Date Created
1967-07
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News, Vol. 1 No. 3, August 1967
Date Created
1967-08
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter registration education booklet from the Voter Education Project and the Southern Regional Council.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign", March 1968
Date Created
1968-03
Description
Voter registration education booklet from the Voter Education Project and the Southern Regional Council.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News Vol. 2, No. 9, September 1968
Date Created
1968-09
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Durham, North Carolina.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News, Vol. 1, No. 1, October 1968
Date Created
1968-10
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Durham, North Carolina.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
A residential house, possibly John H. Wheeler's home.
John H. Wheeler Collection
House, circa 1970
Date Created
1968/1972
Description
A residential house, possibly John H. Wheeler's home.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Morehouse College student protest flyer.
John H. Wheeler Collection
"Somebody's Watching Everything You Do", 1969
Date Created
1969
Description
Morehouse College student protest flyer.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Correspondence from Vernon E. Jordan, VEP Director, denouncing the actions of the Senate Finance Committee.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Southern Regional Council Correspondence, 1969
Date Created
1969
Description
Correspondence from Vernon E. Jordan, VEP Director, denouncing the actions of the Senate Finance Committee.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Statement from Vernon E. Jordan, VEP Director, denouncing the actions of the Senate Finance Committee.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Southern Regional Council Press Release, 1969
Date Created
1969
Description
Statement from Vernon E. Jordan, VEP Director, denouncing the actions of the Senate Finance Committee.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP News Vol. 3, No. 3, March 1969
Date Created
1969-03
Description
Voter Education Project newsletter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Letter from VEP and John Lewis stressing the importance of voting.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP Direct Voter Correspondence, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1975
Description
Letter from VEP and John Lewis stressing the importance of voting.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Letter supporting the VEP and asking for contributions.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP Direct Voter Correspondence, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1975
Description
Letter supporting the VEP and asking for contributions.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
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 Collection
John H. Wheeler in Tennis Attire, circa 1973
Date Created
1970/1976
Description
John H. Wheeler stands outside of a house with an unidentified man dressed in tennis gear, holding tennis rackets.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American athletes
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection
Letter in support of the VEP and voting in the 1971 and 1972 elections.
John H. Wheeler Collection
VEP Fundraising Letter, April 1971
Date Created
1971-04
Description
Letter in support of the VEP and voting in the 1971 and 1972 elections.
Subject
African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Sufferage
Collection
John H. Wheeler Collection