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.
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Title Date Created Description Subject Collection
John H. Wheeler in Tennis Attire, circa 1973 1970/1976 John H. Wheeler stands outside of a house with an unidentified man dressed in tennis gear, holding tennis rackets. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American athletes John H. Wheeler Collection
House, circa 1970 1968/1972 A residential house, possibly John H. Wheeler's home. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler, circa 1968 1965/1970 John H. Wheeler sits in a meeting. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler at UNCF Meeting, circa 1966 1964/1969 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. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs John H. Wheeler Collection
John F. Kennedy Speaking to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, circa 1960 1959/1962 John F. Kennedy speaks to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler Speaking, circa 1960 1959/1962 John H. Wheeler gives remarks before Governor Luther H. Hodges (seated at desk) and a group. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1960 1959/1962 John H. Wheeler stands with others on the steps of a government building. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler, circa 1960 1958/1963 Portrait of John H. Wheeler. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1960 1957/1963 John H. Wheeler with a group of men and women. A small attached picture is a seated woman and two boys. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
Tennis Group, circa 1960 1957/1963 A group of men stand on a tennis court holding rackets. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American athletes John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler at Groundbreaking, circa 1965 1957/1963 John H. Wheeler shovels dirt at an unidentified groundbreaking event. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Group, circa 1960 1957/1963 John H. Wheeler with a group of men in a board room. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building, circa 1955 1952/1958 Exterior of Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Fayette Street Branch, North Carolina. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler at Presentation, circa 1955 1952/1958 John H. Wheeler stands with an unidentified man in front of a crowd while another man presents a plaque. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, Events and programs John H. Wheeler Collection
Young Man in Boxcar, circa 1955 1952/1958 A young man (possibly John H. Wheeler' son) sits in a boxcar in front of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank. Painted on car, "Supecar". African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people, African American teenagers John H. Wheeler Collection
Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building, circa 1955 1952/1958 Exterior view of a Mechanics and Farmers Bank building. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Buildings and grounds John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler Sitting at His Desk, circa 1955 1952/1957 John H. Wheeler sits at his desk at the Mechanics and Farmers Bank, in Durham, North Carolina. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding, circa 1955 1952/1957 John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding sit at Spaulding's desk and talk. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
Negro Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention, 1952 1952 A group stands outside of Brownlee Hall at the National Negro Business Bankers Association's 25th Annual Convention. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler with Group, circa 1950 1947/1953 John H. Wheeler sits at a large table with other men. African American businesspeople, African Americans--Civil rights, Portraits and people John H. Wheeler Collection