​Today in Wheeling History: December 1--William Holmes Crosby Jr., pioneering doctor who specialized in blood-related conditions, was born in Wheeling (1914).
 
William Holmes Crosby Jr. was born on December 1, 1914, in Wheeling, West Virginia. Six months later, his family moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania. His father was an architect, and his mother, Frances Irene Forrester, was a schoolteacher. Crosby's early interest in medicine was sparked by volunteer physicians at a Boy Scout camp he attended. He discovered a love for literature in high school, inspired by his sophomore English teacher, Dorothy Mann. Crosby attended the University of Pennsylvania on a scholarship and began his research career as a volunteer in a hospital hematology lab.
 
In 1936, Crosby entered the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. During his third year, he contracted tuberculosis and spent six months recovering. He graduated in 1940 and enlisted in the army, beginning a military internship at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Crosby served in World War II and the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster. He established the hematology and oncology specialties at Walter Reed Army Hospital and published over 450 peer-reviewed papers. Crosby was also an inventor and a published translator of poetry. He passed away on January 15, 2005, in Joplin, Missouri, and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/AMSF9), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/oqOjv), Bionity (https://shorturl.at/xZwKz)
 
Photo credits: Seth Crosby, Shabd sound (Wikimedia Commons), Yyohan (Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: November 30—Laurane Tanner Bullock Boreman, a native of Wheeling, married Arthur I. Boreman, the first Governor of West Virginia (1864).
 
Laurane Tanner Bullock Boreman was born on November 24, 1830, in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). She was the daughter of John and Mary Tanner. Laurane's early life in Wheeling was marked by the typical experiences of a young girl in the mid-19th century. She married her first husband, John Oldham Bullock, who was a Union soldier during the Civil War. Unfortunately, he was killed early in the conflict. On November 30, 1864, Laurane married Arthur I. Boreman, who would become the first Governor of West Virginia. As First Lady, Laurane played a significant role in defining the position, hosting formal gatherings and supporting her husband's political career. After Arthur's term as governor, the couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Arthur served one term in the United States Senate. They later settled in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Laurane passed away on April 14, 1908, in Parkersburg and was buried in Parkersburg Memorial Gardens. Her contributions to the state and her role as a pioneering First Lady remain significant in West Virginia's history.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/XywXT), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/sFKEJ), Wikitree (https://shorturl.at/TdzLG)
 
Photo credits: West Virginia State Archives, Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: November 29--George Davis, a distinguished author and professor who helped integrate Wheeling High School and served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, was born in Shepherdstown, WV (1939).
 
George Davis, born on November 29, 1939, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is a renowned African American novelist and professor emeritus in creative writing at Rutgers University, Newark. Davis grew up in various small towns in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, where his father, Clarence Davis, served as a Methodist preacher. In 1954, Davis and his brother Vernon integrated Wheeling High School, marking a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. After graduating from Baltimore City College, a high school, Davis attended Colgate University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1957. He later obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing and film from Columbia University. Davis's master's thesis, "Coming Home," was published by Random House in 1972 and is based on his experiences as a captain in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He flew 47 missions and later worked as a reporter for The Washington Post, quickly rising to the position of day city editor. Davis is also known for his creative non-fiction book, "Black Life in Corporate America," co-authored with Clegg Watson. His contributions to literature and his role in the Civil Rights Movement have left a lasting impact. George Davis continues to inspire through his writing and teaching.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/M4U9d), Encyclopedia.com (https://shorturl.at/Lkbc6), The History Makers (https://shorturl.at/4t1UL)
 
Photo credits: Amazon

Today in Wheeling History: November 28--The L. S. Good House at 95-14th Street in Wheeling was added to the National Register of Historic Places (1988).
 
The L. S. Good House, also known as Good Mansion, is a historic home located at 95 14th Street in Wheeling, West Virginia. Built in 1904, the house was designed by Millard F. Giesey, a prominent Wheeling architect, in the Classical Revival style. The mansion was constructed for Lee Samuel Good, a successful businessman who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1873. Good initially settled in Galveston, Texas, before moving to Wheeling, where he established a thriving business selling imported and domestic dry goods, oils, fabrics, and carpets. The L. S. Good House features a three-story brick townhouse design with a full-width porch supported by fluted wooden columns on sandstone plinths. The third-story facade includes an engaged Ionic order brick colonnade. The interior is noted for its sumptuous details, including 28 stained glass panels, a three-story stairwell atrium, and a front parlor with birds-eye maple woodwork and a crystal chandelier. Good lived in the house until his death in 1927, and the property remained in the family until it was eventually sold. Today, the mansion is home to Good Mansion Wines, a wine shop that also offers charcuterie and imported Italian food products. The L. S. Good House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1988, and is a contributing property to the East Wheeling Historic District.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/Xaira), Visit Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/OOQnq), Good Mansion Wines (https://shorturl.at/wwbYH)
 
Photo credits: Bwsmith84 (Wikimedia Commons) 

​Today in Wheeling History: November 27--Joe DeNardo, a renowned meteorologist who spent 45 years at WTAE-TV, was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and raised in Wheeling (1930).
 
Joe DeNardo, born Joseph William DeNardo on November 27, 1930, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, was a prominent meteorologist best known for his work at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. DeNardo grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Known for his academic excellence and athletic prowess, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was an outstanding basketball player, earning the nickname "The Flash" for his speed and quickness on the court. DeNardo pursued higher education at Duquesne University, graduating in 1952 with a major in Mathematics and Physics. He furthered his studies by obtaining a master's degree in meteorology from the University of Chicago in 1953. DeNardo began his career in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years and eventually commanded the weather detachment at Greater Pittsburgh Air Force Base. After his honorable discharge in 1956, he co-founded DeNardo and McFarland Weather Services, providing weather forecasts to various clients. DeNardo's broadcasting career took off when he joined WTAE-TV in 1969, becoming a beloved figure in Pittsburgh for his accurate weather forecasts and community involvement. He retired in 2005 after 45 years on the air. Joe DeNardo passed away on June 15, 2018, in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/oNNcq), WTAE (https://shorturl.at/vHoOD) (https://shorturl.at/l3421), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/dCjad)
 
Photo credits: Facebook 

Today in Wheeling History: November 26--Alexis de Tocqueville, the renowned French aristocrat and political thinker, visits Wheeling during his 1831 journey through the United States to study American society and its democratic institutions (1831).
 
On November 26, 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and Gustave de Beaumont visited Wheeling, West Virginia, during their journey through the United States. Their steamboat was wrecked near Wheeling, giving Tocqueville his second experience of nearly drowning. This visit was part of their mission to study American society and its democratic institutions, which later culminated in Tocqueville’s seminal work, “Democracy in America.” Born on July 29, 1805, in Paris, France, Tocqueville traveled widely in the United States, taking extensive notes on his observations. Their journey included stops in various cities, where they observed aspects of American life, including the political system, social structures, and religion. The visit to Wheeling provided firsthand experiences of American society and its challenges, greatly influencing Tocqueville’s later writings on democracy.
 
On November 26, 1997, C-SPAN’s Alexis de Tocqueville Tour: Exploring Democracy in America made a stop in Wheeling, West Virginia. This tour retraced the path taken by Tocqueville and Beaumont during their 1831-32 visit to the United States. The tour aimed to explore themes from Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” and included stops in 55 communities. The C-SPAN School Bus traveled to each location, including Wheeling, to provide historical context and engage with local historians, journalists, and citizens. The tour highlighted the enduring relevance of Tocqueville’s observations on American democracy and provided a platform for contemporary discussions. The programs were part of C-SPAN’s morning news and call-in show, Washington Journal, featuring contributions from historians and academics. The visit to Wheeling reflected on the city’s historical significance and its role in the broader narrative of American democracy.
 
To learn more: C-SPAN (https://shorturl.at/NkgaU), Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/YaQjr), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/WLVox) (https://shorturl.at/H5gAi), History (https://shorturl.at/EM0eo)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons  

​Today in Wheeling History: November 25–Bank Clerk Harry B. Seybold goes on trial for a $24,000 theft (1890)
 
Harry Bates Seybold (1864-1940) was educated at Washington School, Linsly Institute, and Frazier Business College. He began his career as a collection clerk at the Bank of Wheeling, where his father, Joseph Seybold, served as Assistant Cashier. On December 29, 1887, Harry B. Seybold purchased property at 3526 Jacob Street in Wheeling for $1,750, which included a brick house and all household furnishings. According to the 1888 Wheeling City Directory, he moved into the house in September 1888.
 
In 1889, a package containing $24,000 (worth over $638,000 today) went missing from the bank vault. Seybold initially claimed he had won the Louisiana lottery, but an investigation by County Prosecutor B.B. Dovener revealed this was false. After his arrest on August 2, 1889, Seybold admitted to systematically stealing nearly $35,000 from the bank over time. He was released on bail but fled to Kansas, where he was eventually captured and brought back for trial.
 
On November 25, 1890, his trial began with large crowds in attendance. Despite claiming that bank teller Harry List had given him the money, the jury took only 20 minutes to find him guilty. He was sentenced to two and a half years in the Moundsville penitentiary but was pardoned by Governor Aretas B. Fleming in late October 1892 due to health issues and good behavior. After his release, he worked as an oil leaser and operator before becoming a Justice of the Peace in Clay District. He was married to Minerva (Minnie) Rosenberg Seybold, who worked as a manicurist. Seybold died of coronary disease on December 14, 1940, at age 76 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Heritage (https://shorturl.at/kfYM7), Find a Grave  (https://shorturl.at/pDnPm)
 
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Google Maps

Today in Wheeling History: November 24--Charles N. Hancher, a prominent jeweler and sportsman, passed away in Wheeling (1945).
 
Charles Newton Hancher was born on April 17, 1864, in Marshall County, West Virginia. He was the son of Dr. Archibald Perry Hancher and Angeline Bovard Hancher. His family moved to Wheeling when he was a child, and he grew up in the city. Hancher began his career in the jewelry business as an apprentice at the L. G. Dillon Company in 1880. His rapid advancement led to a partnership with Dillon in 1897, forming Dillon, Hancher & Co. By 1907, Hancher had taken full control of the business, renaming it the Charles N. Hancher Company. Hancher was known for his expertise in diamonds and frequently traveled to major diamond markets worldwide. He also had a passion for thoroughbred horses, breeding and showing them at his Belle Fern stables. Hancher was a judge at major American horse shows and was involved with the West Virginia State Fair Association and the West Virginia Turf Club. He was a charter member of Wheeling Lodge No. 28, B.P.O.E., and a member of the Fort Henry Club. Hancher passed away on November 24, 1945, at his home in Wheeling due to pneumonia. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/jlTEF); Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/DGIyD), Historic Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/kjJMp), Weelunk (https://shorturl.at/e4CnB), Wheeling News-Register (https://shorturl.at/gbMbV)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Historic Wheeling, Wheeling News-Register

​Today in Wheeling History: November 23 - Wheeling resident Louis P. Keyser receives U.S. Patent #1161480A for innovative washing machine mechanics (1915).
 
Louis P. Keyser (1884-1920) was a pioneering inventor and automobile mechanic who lived and worked in Wheeling, West Virginia. He resided at 72 Indiana Street on Wheeling Island and made significant contributions to early washing machine technology. In 1915, at age 31, he patented an innovative gearing system for motor-driven washing machines (U.S. Patent #1161480A) that efficiently converted rotary motion into the oscillating movement needed for clothes washing. This invention demonstrated his mechanical expertise during the early days of domestic appliance automation.
 
Keyser was married to Grace E. Hitch Keyser (1890-1969), and they had a son, Louis Perry Keyser Jr. (1915-1984). Despite his relatively short life, Keyser's work bridged the transition between manual and automated home appliances in the early 20th century. His career as an automobile mechanic also placed him at the forefront of transportation technology during the automotive industry's early growth. He died on February 21, 1920, at just 36 years old at Ohio Valley General Hospital. His funeral was held at his residence on Indiana Street, and he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. His legacy lives on through his contributions to mechanical engineering and early domestic technology innovation.
 
To learn more: Google Patents (https://shorturl.at/EyEF1), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/7WoaG), Wheeling Sunday Register (https://shorturl.at/RrNnI)
 
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave, Wheeling Sunday Register, Google Maps

​Today in Wheeling History: November 22--East Wheeling Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places (1999).
 
The East Wheeling Historic District, located in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, is a national historic district that encompasses 300 contributing buildings and one contributing site, including the Monroe Street East Historic District. The district is primarily residential, developed in the late-19th and early-20th century, and features a variety of architectural styles, including Greek Revival and Gothic Revival. Notable non-residential buildings within the district include St. Joseph Cathedral (1926), the former Hazel Atlas Company building , the Scottish Rite Temple designed by noted Wheeling architect Frederick F. Faris, the Elks Building, and the YWCA (1906), also designed by Faris. The contributing site is Elk Playground. The district also includes the separately listed L. S. Good House, Charles W. Russell House, and Cathedral Parish School. The East Wheeling Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 22, 1999, recognizing its historical and architectural significance. The district's inclusion on the National Register highlights the importance of preserving Wheeling's rich architectural heritage and the efforts to maintain the character and history of this vibrant community.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia: (https://shorturl.at/xKUE0), National Register of Historic Places (https://shorturl.at/iRAFi), National Park Service (https://shorturl.at/zJsVD)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons