​Today in Wheeling History: June 5–John R. Dunlap, journalist, editor, and publisher of engineering magazines and books who attended Linsly Institute in Wheeling, passed away (1937).
 
John Robertson Dunlap was born in 1857 in Lexington, Kentucky, but his connection to Wheeling, West Virginia, began with his education at Linsly Institute. At just 18 years old, Dunlap started working in civil engineering, but his career soon pivoted toward journalism and publishing. By 1884, he had become the president and general manager of the “Daily Louisville Commercial”, a newspaper in Kentucky. 
 
In 1889, Dunlap moved to New York City, where he launched several influential publications. His first magazine, “The India Rubber World”, debuted in 1889, followed by “Hardware” in 1890 and  “The Engineering Magazine” in 1891. His most significant contribution came in 1895, with the creation of “The Engineering Index”, which later became part of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
 
Dunlap’s publishing empire expanded further when his company merged into McGraw-Hill around 1917. His work in industrial management shaped business literature, and his publications influenced engineering and manufacturing practices. He passed away on June 5, 1937, leaving behind a legacy in technical journalism. 
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2aru856a)
 
Photo caption and credit: Engineering Magazine was an American illustrated monthly magazine devoted to industrial progress, first published in 1891. The periodical was published under this title until October 1916. Sequentially, from Nov. 1916 to 1927, it was published as Industrial Management. (Wikiwand)

Today in Wheeling History: June 4--Alfred Caldwell, lawyer, politician, abolitionist, former mayor of Wheeling, Virginia state senator, and U.S. consul to the Kingdom of Hawaii, was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio (1817).
 
Alfred Caldwell was born on June 4, 1817, in St. Clairsville, Ohio, to James Caldwell, a U.S. congressional representative, and Anne Booker Caldwell. His family had deep ties to Wheeling, West Virginia, as his grandfather, James Caldwell Sr., helped establish the city. Caldwell attended Washington College (now Washington & Jefferson College) in Pennsylvania, earning his degree in 1836, and later studied law at Harvard University, graduating in 1838.
 
After settling in Wheeling, Caldwell became a lawyer and entered politics. He was elected mayor of Wheeling in 1850 and 1851, and again in 1856 and 1857. He was a strong abolitionist and a leader in the Republican Party, supporting Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Caldwell served in the Virginia Senate from 1857 to 1861, representing Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio counties. During the Civil War, he was appointed U.S. consul to the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1861 but was removed from office in 1867 because of financial misconduct.
 
Caldwell passed away on May 3, 1868, in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the age of 50, and was buried in Mt. Woods Cemetery.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2267hkzk), Encyclopedia Virginia (https://tinyurl.com/4ahan6zm), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/4aa4d65p)
 
Photo credits: Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: June 3—Victor G. Reuther, a prominent international labor organizer and advocate for social democracy, passed away in Washington, D.C., after a lifetime of activism that began in his hometown of Wheeling (2004). 
 
Victor George Reuther was born on January 1, 1912, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Valentine and Anna Stocker Reuther, German immigrants who instilled in their children a strong belief in labor rights and social justice. His father, a brewery worker and union activist, supported Eugene V. Debs, the socialist presidential candidate. Reuther attended West Virginia University as a freshman before transferring to Wayne State University at the urging of his older brother, Walter Reuther, who later became president of the United Auto Workers (UAW). 
 
Victor and Walter traveled to Europe and Asia, working at the Gorky Automotive Plant in the Soviet Union, where they led a strike for safer working conditions before being expelled. Returning to the U.S. in 1936, Victor helped organize the General Motors Strike in Flint, Michigan, using a loudspeaker to rally workers. He later became the head of the UAW’s Education Department and played a key role in labor movements worldwide. Reuther passed away on June 3, 2004, at age 92, leaving behind a legacy of labor activism. 
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y6dkr76j), FamilySearch (https://tinyurl.com/2sxuxn9u), WikiTree (https://tinyurl.com/2sxuxn9u), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/42wepn65), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/4f46hbyw)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave, Weelunk

​Today in Wheeling History: June 2—Benjamin Stanton, former U.S. Congressman and Ohio Lieutenant Governor, passed away in Wheeling, where he had moved after the Civil War to practice law, following controversy over his harsh criticism of Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership at the Battle of Shiloh (1872).
 
Benjamin Stanton was born on June 4, 1809, in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and trained as a tailor before studying law, gaining admission to the bar in 1834, and practicing in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He served in the Ohio Senate (1841-1843), was a delegate to Ohio’s constitutional convention in 1850, and represented Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives (1851-1853, 1855-1861), chairing the Committee on Military Affairs in the Thirty-sixth Congress. During his tenure as Ohio’s sixth Lieutenant Governor (1862-1864), Stanton’s strong criticism of Grant’s leadership at Shiloh—particularly blaming Grant’s negligence for Union casualties—angered Grant’s allies, including General William Tecumseh Sherman. His remarks were so widely rejected that Stanton never again held public office, and he was commonly spoken of as "the late Mr. Stanton". His move from Ohio to West Virginia seemed to reflect his diminished political standing. After the war, Stanton relocated first to Martinsburg (1865), then to Wheeling (1867), which was thriving with industry and opportunities. He practiced law until his death on June 2, 1872, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4546f96v), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/5n8tpppd), Political Graveyard (https://tinyurl.com/5568crcn)
 
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: June 1--Clyde Thomas became the first African American elected to Wheeling City Council in the modern era (1971).
 
Clyde Thomas was a trailblazer in Wheeling’s political and athletic history. Born on April 5, 1940, he excelled in sports at Bellaire High School, earning All-State honors in both basketball and football. His athletic prowess led him to Ohio University, where he played as a running back on the undefeated 1960 Mid-American Conference Championship team. His talent earned him recognition in Sports Illustrated, and he later played professionally for the Wheeling Ironmen and briefly for the Philadelphia Eagles before an injury ended his NFL career.
 
After retiring from football, Thomas transitioned into public service. In 1971, he made history by becoming the first African American elected to Wheeling City Council under the non-partisan City-Manager Government. He served four consecutive terms, advocating for community development and infrastructure improvements. His leadership extended to his role as vice-mayor, where he played a key part in getting the Wheeling Civic Center built and proposing a downtown shopping mall.
 
Thomas was inducted into the American Football Association’s Minor Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He passed away on October 12, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence and civic leadership.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2zpstz7x), Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3ccevety), West Virginia Archives & History (https://tinyurl.com/yumejz76)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV

​Today in Wheeling History: May 31—Todd Bullard, educator and academic administrator who served as director of education at the West Virginia Penitentiary and later as president of Bethany College, was born in Wheeling (1931).
 
Todd Hupp Bullard was born on May 31, 1931, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to L. Todd Bullard and Katharine Virginia Netting Bullard. He attended West Liberty State College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1953. During his time there, he served as student body president and founded the Chi Nu fraternity. He continued his education at West Virginia University, earning a master's degree in political science in 1956, followed by a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1964.
 
Bullard’s career in education was distinguished. He began as director of education at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville in 1953. He later served as president of Parkersburg Community College (1961–1963), Potomac State College (1964–1970), and Bethany College (1980–1988). Additionally, he was the first provost of the Rochester Institute of Technology (1970–1980). His leadership extended beyond administration, as he contributed to higher education policy and accreditation efforts.
 
Bullard passed away on January 1, 2009, in Charlottesville, Virginia, after battling diabetes. He was buried in Campbell Cemetery in Bethany, West Virginia.
 
To learn more: Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/yjvp637t), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/37dabwus), Legacy Obituary (https://tinyurl.com/3rhhbysz)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: May 30--Allan Connolly, dedicated educator and administrator, was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to education (2015).
 
Allan Connolly, born in 1944, dedicated his life to education in Ohio County Schools, beginning his career in 1965 as an English and Social Studies teacher at Clay Junior High School. A self-made man, he worked his way through Bluefield State College as a clerk and meat cutter, earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1965. He later obtained his master's degree in education administration from West Virginia University in 1969, eventually completing an additional 30 graduate hours.
 
At Clay Junior High, Connolly served as department chairperson for English and Social Studies while coaching basketball for ten years, earning three freshman championships. In 1976, he moved to the newly opened Wheeling Park High School, where he taught Social Studies and assisted with the basketball program during their state championship year. The following year, he was appointed assistant principal, serving in that role for 22 years until his retirement in 1999, completing 34 years in education.
 
Beyond his professional duties, Connolly has been deeply involved in community service. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Simpson Methodist Church, heads their Education Committee awarding scholarships, and participates in the NAACP Education Committee for Ohio County. In 2011, he was inducted into the West Virginia All-Black Schools Sports Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, and received the Martin Luther King Jr. award from the Upper Ohio Valley Clergy in 2013.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/ycny344y); Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/436myz25), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/bdkns7j7), City of Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/pj2cd2bz) (https://tinyurl.com/2wt34mm9)
 
Photo caption and credit: Allan Connolly (Wheeling Hall of Fame via Weelunk)

​Today in Wheeling History: May 29--James M. Baird of Wheeling was granted a patent for his innovative "Water Cooler and Purifier," designed to provide clean, cool drinking water year-round (1866).
 
James M. Baird, a resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, received U.S. Patent No. 55,037 on May 29, 1866, for his ingenious "Water Cooler and Purifier." This invention addressed the common problem of providing clean, cool drinking water throughout all seasons by utilizing three fundamental principles: the earth's consistent underground temperature, the natural settling of cold water to the bottom, and gravity's effect on sediment settlement.
 
Baird's apparatus consisted of a vertical tank buried several feet underground, connected to the existing water supply via an induction pipe. The tank featured a cone-shaped bottom head that collected sediment, while the discharging pipe at the apex allowed the system to self-clean by first expelling settled impurities before delivering clear, cool water. The underground placement ensured consistent cooling regardless of surface temperature variations.
 
Beyond this water purification system, Baird proved to be a prolific inventor. On July 22, 1873, he co-patented with James C. Orr an innovative furniture leg design featuring detachable two-part construction secured by interlocking blocks and buttons. Local newspapers praised Baird's inventive genius, noting his development of detachable tool handles, furniture fastenings, sewing machine accessories, and extension tables. The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer commended his ability to combine "lightness with strength, taste and durability" while reducing manufacturing costs through simplified construction methods.
 
To learn more: Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/dsr464cu) (https://tinyurl.com/m4awhddc), Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3x6hkxtm) (https://tinyurl.com/yf47p6zs)
 
Photo credits: Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, U.S. Patent Office

​Today in Wheeling History: May 28—Bill Stobbs, professional football player and coach, was born in Wheeling (1896). 
 
Thomas William "Bill" Stobbs Jr. was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on May 28, 1896. He attended Wheeling High School and the Linsly Military Institute, both in his hometown, before playing college football at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Stobbs had a brief professional football career, playing as a blocking back for the Detroit Tigers in 1921, a team that competed in the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL). 
 
Beyond his playing career, Stobbs made a lasting impact as a coach. He began coaching football at Linsly Military Institute in 1919 and later served as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina in 1920. He returned to Wheeling High School as a football and basketball coach from 1922 to 1925 before heading back to Linsly as head coach. His most notable coaching tenure was at Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) in Ohio, where he led the football team from 1929 to 1941 and the basketball team from 1932 to 1942. 
 
Stobbs passed away on November 14, 1968, in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 72. Though his later years took him away from Wheeling, his impact on the city's sports scene remained profound. He was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, ensuring his legacy as a dedicated coach and athlete continues to be honored in his hometown.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y3wjzs73), Pro-Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/34z7xbsa), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/ydxnmf9u)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: May 27—Dr. Eliza Hughes, a Wheeling native and one of the first female M.D.s in Virginia and West Virginia, passed away (1882).
 
Dr. Eliza Clark Hughes (1817–1882) was one of the first female medical doctors in Virginia and West Virginia. Born in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), she was raised in a family that valued education and commerce. Her father, a successful merchant, provided her with a strong academic foundation. Inspired by her brother, Dr. Alfred Hughes, she pursued medicine despite societal opposition to women in the field.
 
Hughes began studying medicine in 1855 and attended the Homoeopathic Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, before graduating from Pennsylvania Medical College in Philadelphia in 1860. She returned to Wheeling, where she specialized in treating women and children. During the Civil War, she and her family supported the Confederacy, leading to her arrest in 1862 for refusing to take the oath of allegiance. She later resumed her practice but faced ostracization due to her political stance.
 
In the 1880s, she moved to Baltimore but returned to Wheeling before passing away in Portland, Ohio, in 1882. She was buried in Mt. Wood Cemetery in Wheeling. Hughes was not only a physician but also a writer, contributing literary works to local publications.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/jefxcf46), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2rnjax55), WVGW.net (https://tinyurl.com/5k4acmpz), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/4c4m5mwv), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/mpm8ct37)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV