Today in Wheeling History: May 17--Joseph Greer, pioneer Wheeling resident, War of 1812 veteran, and volunteer fireman, died at age 89 (1881).
Joseph Greer was born in 1791 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Irish immigrants Joshua Greer and Rosa Bradey Greer. He arrived in Wheeling in 1812, just as tensions with Britain escalated. Shortly after his arrival, the young Greer served six months under Captain Irwin during the War of 1812, defending Wheeling from rumored British forces approaching from Brownsville. He camped on Wheeling Hill with local militia, though an illness involving fever and shivering prevented his reenlisting.
Greer became a prominent carpenter and pioneer fireman, serving over fifty years with Wheeling's fire department. He worked as a "roof man" in the bucket brigade system, later serving as custodian of the Hope Hose house. During the 1820s flatboat era, he transported freight to New Orleans, often walking back from the Crescent City. In 1821, he purchased property on Market Street above Eighth Street, building a house the following year. He and his brother Moses jointly purchased property on Adams Street (now 8th Street) in 1828.
Greer married Catherine Johnston in 1835; they had three children, though only son John Milton survived them. During the 1832 cholera epidemic, Greer served on the city's Sanitary Committee and gained recognition as an amateur cholera doctor. He died May 17, 1881, at age 89, and is buried in Mount Wood Cemetery.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV - Joseph Greer “An Old Inhabitant” (https://tinyurl.com/52pbcav6); Wheeling Heritage – 21–23 8th Street building history (https://tinyurl.com/3hb7zkvr), The Intelligencer (Wheeling, W.Va.), April 18, 1881 (https://tinyurl.com/msruy3zd), Find a Grave - Joseph Greer (https://tinyurl.com/2vjwpxk9)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Heritage, Google Maps
Joseph Greer was born in 1791 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Irish immigrants Joshua Greer and Rosa Bradey Greer. He arrived in Wheeling in 1812, just as tensions with Britain escalated. Shortly after his arrival, the young Greer served six months under Captain Irwin during the War of 1812, defending Wheeling from rumored British forces approaching from Brownsville. He camped on Wheeling Hill with local militia, though an illness involving fever and shivering prevented his reenlisting.
Greer became a prominent carpenter and pioneer fireman, serving over fifty years with Wheeling's fire department. He worked as a "roof man" in the bucket brigade system, later serving as custodian of the Hope Hose house. During the 1820s flatboat era, he transported freight to New Orleans, often walking back from the Crescent City. In 1821, he purchased property on Market Street above Eighth Street, building a house the following year. He and his brother Moses jointly purchased property on Adams Street (now 8th Street) in 1828.
Greer married Catherine Johnston in 1835; they had three children, though only son John Milton survived them. During the 1832 cholera epidemic, Greer served on the city's Sanitary Committee and gained recognition as an amateur cholera doctor. He died May 17, 1881, at age 89, and is buried in Mount Wood Cemetery.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV - Joseph Greer “An Old Inhabitant” (https://tinyurl.com/52pbcav6); Wheeling Heritage – 21–23 8th Street building history (https://tinyurl.com/3hb7zkvr), The Intelligencer (Wheeling, W.Va.), April 18, 1881 (https://tinyurl.com/msruy3zd), Find a Grave - Joseph Greer (https://tinyurl.com/2vjwpxk9)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Heritage, Google Maps
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