Today in Wheeling History: February 1--C. A. House Music Store, a prominent music retailer in Wheeling, West Virginia, moved to its new location at 1141 Market Street (1917).
 
C. A. House Music Store was founded by Chauncey A. House, who came to Wheeling in 1870 from Meadville, Pennsylvania. Initially, House managed the Howe Sewing Machine Company for 12 years before opening a small music business in 1882 at 1324-1326 Market Street in the Hub Building Complex. This modest beginning laid the foundation for what would become the largest music store retailer in the state. In 1900, C. A. House Music moved to 1305-1307 Market Street and continued to grow. On February 1, 1917, the store relocated to the old Security Trust Co. building at 1141 Market Street. Chauncey House passed away on January 6, 1921, and his widow, Rose Tucker House, continued running the business. Under her leadership, the store moved to 1126-1130 Main Street (1934-1935), then to 1327 Market Street (1936-1943) with a wareroom at 1312 Main, and finally to the Hawley Block at 10th and Main Streets. In early April 1946, Mrs. House sold the business to three employees: Oliver Edwards, Thomas Killeen, and Albert Wasemann, and passed away shortly after on April 16, 1946. In 1964, Pete Ceo purchased the controlling stock of the company. In 1977, the store moved across the river to St. Clairsville, Ohio. Today, C. A. House Music continues to serve the Ohio Valley with multiple locations, offering a wide range of musical instruments, lessons, and services. The store remains a beloved institution in the region, known for its commitment to music education and community engagement.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3yhp4bmd), C. A. House Music (https://tinyurl.com/4d5pt7px), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/mumws3x8)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Google Maps, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: January 31—Bob Thalman, a notable football coach from Wheeling, West Virginia, best known for transforming the Virginia Military Institute's football program, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia (2012).
 
Robert Joseph "Bob" Thalman was born on November 5, 1922, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, graduating in 1940. Thalman began his higher education at Belmont Abbey Junior College in 1942 but soon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served as a sergeant in the Fifth Division, fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most intense battles in the Pacific campaign. For his service, he received the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, Thalman continued his education at the University of Richmond, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1948. His coaching career began at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia, followed by Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Thalman then moved to college coaching, starting at Hampden-Sydney College, where he served as head coach and Athletic Director, winning two Mason-Dixon conference titles. He later joined the University of North Carolina and Georgia Tech as a defensive coach before becoming the head coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1971. Over 14 years at VMI, he transformed the football program, winning two Southern Conference titles. Thalman passed away on January 31, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 89. He is remembered for his positive coaching philosophy and significant contributions to college football. He is buried in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4wr7mexv), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/43tubvnk), The News-Gazette (https://tinyurl.com/5a5vzdrr), Newspapers.com (https://tinyurl.com/24ekka2w)
 
Photo credits: Kaleidoscope 1960, Hampden-Sydney yearbook; Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: January 30--Wheeling College student and future country music star Lionel Cartwright headlines the Jamboree U.S.A. show at the Capitol Music Hall (1982).
 
Born in Gallipolis, Ohio, and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia, Lionel Cartwright began his musical journey early, joining the Jamboree USA staff band in 1978 at age 18 after graduating from John Marshall High School. His talent was immediately evident when, during his first performance, a power outage forced him to accompany all performers on piano using only the light from audience members' green glow sticks. This impromptu showcase earned him a permanent position in the band, where he performed with country music legends like Buck Owens, Tanya Tucker, and Jerry Lee Lewis. While performing at Jamboree USA, Cartwright also attended Wheeling College, making the dean's list in fall 1981. After moving to Nashville in the mid-1980s, he signed with MCA Records in 1986 and achieved significant success, including three BMI Million-Air Award songs: the Billboard #1 hit "Leap of Faith," "I Watched It All On My Radio," and "Give Me His Last Chance." Beyond performing, Cartwright has composed music for over 100 television and film projects across platforms including Netflix, Apple TV, and Discovery. He maintains strong connections to his Wheeling roots, returning periodically to perform at the Capitol Theatre and even serving as the keynote speaker at his alma mater John Marshall High School's 2018 commencement.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Sunday News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/bdeuxtbn) (https://tinyurl.com/4jauudaz) (https://tinyurl.com/23fha839), Wheeling University Historical Timeline (https://shorturl.at/3y1yD), Weelunk (https://shorturl.at/2pYGU) (https://shorturl.at/CNatz) (https://shorturl.at/jABUP), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/pqI4b)
 
Photo credits: Wheeling News-Register, Weelunk

Today in Wheeling History: January 29--While working as an engineer at Wheeling Mold & Foundry Company, Swedish immigrant John A. Hellstrom, who called Wheeling home for many years, received a U.S. patent for his invention that helped factory workers change machine speeds more safely (1924).
 
John Adrian Hellstrom (1868-1927) was a Swedish-born engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to industrial manufacturing in Wheeling, West Virginia. Born on March 4, 1868, in Stockholm County, Sweden, he immigrated to the United States and initially settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Amelia A. Zimmerman on October 16, 1890, in Cambria. Hellstrom's engineering expertise led him to Wheeling, where he worked as an engineer at the Wheeling Mold & Foundry Company. While working in Wheeling, he created an important machine part that helped factory workers change the speed of their metal-working machines more easily. He received U.S. Patent 1,482,010 for this invention in 1924. His device made factory work faster and safer because workers could change speeds without having to use special motors or stop their machines completely. Hellstrom died on December 16, 1927, at age 59 in Wheeling. He was interred in the West Virginia American Mausoleum at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. He and his wife Amelia had at least one child, Herbert Ericson Hellstrom (1894-1954).
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3jrztrbj); Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/55wx597p), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3zcpx4kf)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: January 29--While working as an engineer at Wheeling Mold & Foundry Company, Swedish immigrant John A. Hellstrom, who called Wheeling home for many years, received a U.S. patent for his invention that helped factory workers change machine speeds more safely (1924).

John Adrian Hellstrom (1868-1927) was a Swedish-born engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to industrial manufacturing in Wheeling, West Virginia. Born on March 4, 1868, in Stockholm County (Stockholms län), Sweden, he immigrated to the United States and initially settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Amelia A. Zimmerman on October 16, 1890, in Cambria. Hellstrom's engineering expertise led him to Wheeling, where he worked as an engineer at the Wheeling Mould and Foundry Company. While working in Wheeling, he created an innovative mechanical system called a "Change-Speed Transmission for Lathe Faceplates" that helped factory workers change the speed of their metal-working machines more easily. He received US Patent 1,482,010 for this invention in 1924. His device made factory work faster and safer because workers could change speeds without having to use special motors or stop their machines completely. Hellstrom died on December 16, 1927, at age 59 in Wheeling. He was interred in the West Virginia American Mausoleum #2, Crypt 225, at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. He and his wife Amelia had at least one child, Herbert Ericson Hellstrom (1894-1954).

To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3jrztrbj); Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/55wx597p), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3zcpx4kf)

Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: January 27—Robert Bruce Hall, a prominent Episcopal bishop and Wheeling native, was born (1921).
 
Robert Bruce Hall, born on January 27, 1921, in Wheeling, West Virginia, was a distinguished Episcopal bishop known for his leadership and contributions to the church. He was the son of Mary Hazlett and Kent Hall. Hall pursued higher education at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and later graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During World War II, Hall served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater, working in the intelligence section from 1943 to 1946. After the war, he was ordained as a deacon in June 1949 and as a priest in May 1950. Hall served as curate, associate rector, and later rector of Trinity Church in Huntington, West Virginia, before becoming rector of St. Chrysostom's Church in Chicago in 1958. In 1966, he was elected and consecrated as the Coadjutor Bishop of Virginia, with the right of succession. He became the Bishop of Virginia in 1974, a position he held until his death. Hall was known for his progressive stance on the ordination of women and his efforts to address his own struggles with alcohol addiction. He passed away on May 27, 1985, in Richmond, Virginia, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Willsboro, New York. Hall's legacy as a compassionate and forward-thinking leader continues to be remembered.
 
To learn more: Washington Post (https://tinyurl.com/54y6vx6f), Archives of the Episcopal Church (https://tinyurl.com/5xarmu37), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2y45ru93), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/yk5frjrd), Wikiwand (https://tinyurl.com/54y6vx6f)
 
Photo credits: H. Johnson Studios via Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: January 26—Nick Mumley, a professional football player and Wheeling native who excelled in football, basketball, and track at Wheeling High School, was born (1937).
 
Nick Mumley, born on January 26, 1937, in Wheeling, West Virginia, was a prominent professional football player known for his time with the New York Titans in the American Football League (AFL). Mumley attended Wheeling High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track, earning the title of West Virginia’s Mr. Basketball. He later attended Purdue University, playing as a tackle for the Purdue Boilermakers football team from 1956 to 1957 and 1959. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the 1957 College Football All-America Team. Mumley was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft but chose to play for the New York Titans instead. He appeared in 42 games, 36 as a starter, from 1960 to 1962. After retiring from professional football, Mumley worked for Reis Equipment Company and the Kroot Corporation as Sales Director. He was a member of the NFL Players Association, John Purdue Club, and First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Indiana. Mumley passed away on September 22, 2022, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 85. He was survived by his daughters, Tamara and Jody, and several grandchildren. Mumley's legacy as a talented athlete and dedicated family man continues to be remembered by those who knew him.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/47d9bfwx), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3xyutke9), The Republic News (https://tinyurl.com/86zuuvuv), Pro Football Archives (https://tinyurl.com/34uw82kt)
 
Photo credits: eBay, Legacy

​Today in Wheeling History: January 25--Elm Grove United Methodist Church dedicates educational addition and renovated sanctuary (1959).
 
Elm Grove United Methodist Church, located at 125 Kruger Street, has been a cornerstone of the Elm Grove community in Wheeling since 1896. Originally established as a Methodist Mission meeting in Hands Hall above a store, the congregation initially gathered in homes and schools. In 1906, two lots were purchased for $1,400, becoming the church's permanent location. The first structure, known as "The Tabernacle Church," was a modest wooden building completed in 1908. By 1911, growth necessitated a new building, with the cornerstone laid on October 22, containing a Bible, New Testament, Wheeling Intelligencer copy, and member names. The church experienced significant growth, reaching 536 members by 1929 and 1,018 by 1962. A major milestone was reached on January 25, 1959, when the church dedicated its new educational wing and renovated sanctuary, a project that had begun with groundbreaking in 1953. Another significant expansion occurred in 1984 with the addition of Newmeyer Hall and new Sunday School rooms. The church has been instrumental in community outreach, establishing an Epworth League for young people in 1908 and a Boy Scout troop in 1913. Throughout its history, the church has undergone several renovations and modernizations, including sanctuary updates in 1936 and 1973, while maintaining its mission of love, understanding, compassion, and community service.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2s4futyf); Elm Grove United Methodist Church (https://tinyurl.com/27ju92nx)
 
Photo caption and credit: Elm Grove United Methodist Church, 125 Kruger Street (2002). (Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV)

Today in Wheeling History: January 24--The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston held a ceremony honoring the legacy of Blessed Martin School, a former segregated Catholic school for African American students, by blessing a restored statue of St. Martin de Porres and dedicating a commemorative plaque in Wheeling Central Catholic High School's gymnasium, with some former Blessed Martin alumni in attendance (2023).
 
Blessed Martin School operated from 1942-1955 at the northeast corner of 13th and Jacob Streets in East Wheeling, where Wheeling Central Catholic High School's gymnasium now stands. The school was established during Bishop John J. Swint's tenure after persistent advocacy from local African American Catholics. Initially facing low enrollment and community resistance, the school opened successfully on its third attempt. Under principal Sister Anne Patricia Whalen and a dedicated faculty including Sister Gabriella Wagner, the school earned a Class A rating from the state board of education in 1948. Despite limited resources, Blessed Martin excelled academically and athletically, notably playing in one of the northern panhandle's first integrated basketball games against Cameron High School in 1954. The school closed in 1955 following the Brown v. Board of Education decision, with many students integrating into Central Catholic High School and Cathedral Grade School. The 2023 ceremony featured former students including Ruth Stinson sharing memories and singing the school fight song, while Bishop Mark Brennan blessed a restored statue of St. Martin de Porres, replacing an original lost to time.
 
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/36ksn89d), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://rb.gy/5cegio) (https://rb.gy/bk5np4), Weelunk (https://rb.gy/i4ntgp)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Sisters of St. Joseph, Wheeling, WV; Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, Wheeling Intelligencer, Weelunk

Today in Wheeling History: January 23--J.C. Penney held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of their newly remodeled store in downtown Wheeling (1958).
 
The J.C. Penney store in Wheeling, located in the historic McFadden Building at 1122-24 Market Street, underwent a significant transformation in late 1957 and early 1958. Following a devastating fire that swept through the store on September 20, 1957, the building underwent an extensive three-and-a-half-month renovation. Under the leadership of store manager Lee Hintz, every department was enlarged and modernized. The remodeled store featured expanded departments across multiple floors, including a new sub-teen shop, women's ready-to-wear section, and an enlarged housewares department. The renovation introduced modern fixtures designed to maximize space efficiency and improve the shopping experience. J.C. Penney himself, then 82 years old, attended the grand reopening, arriving in Wheeling on January 22 and participating in various community events, including a luncheon hosted by the Ohio Valley Board of Trade at the Windsor Hotel. The following day, January 23, Penney cut the ribbon at 9:30 AM, joined by Mayor Jack Adams, OVBT President John C. McConnell, and building owner George McFadden. The store served downtown Wheeling until 1978, when it relocated to the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville. After nearly 30 years at the mall location, J.C. Penney closed its doors there on October 21, 2007, and moved to a new standalone facility at The Highlands in Triadelphia, West Virginia, with its grand opening on November 2, 2007.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV  (https://shorturl.at/Nul0C), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/ZAMuZ) (https://shorturl.at/sdPNX) (https://tinyurl.com/2s46cj4j), The Times Leader (https://tinyurl.com/4f3v4d8x), Visit Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3k8hk44d), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2ttm9j9t) (https://tinyurl.com/3jyt87pw)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, National Portrait Gallery, Google Maps