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.

Address by John Lewis supporting Black mayors and addressing community leadership.
Brochure for the citizenship school and voter registration.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Letter from Richard Hick to John Lewis thanking the work of the VEP.
John H. Wheeler Collection
A residential house, possibly John H. Wheeler's home.
John H. Wheeler Collection
Voter registration education booklet from the Voter Education Project and the Southern Regional Council.
Brochure explaining registration and voting in North Carolina.
John F. Kennedy speaks to the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
John H. Wheeler with his wife, Selena.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler and C.C. Spaulding sit at Spaulding's desk and talk.
John H. Wheeler shovels dirt at an unidentified groundbreaking event.
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 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
Portrait of John H. Wheeler.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler sits in a meeting.
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 rides a bike with a young man, possibly his son.
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 sits at a large table with other men.
John H. Wheeler Collection
John H. Wheeler stands with others on the steps of a government building.
John H. Wheeler Collection