Today in Wheeling History: June 3--Dr. Harriet B. Jones, the first woman licensed to practice medicine in West Virginia, who established a private practice and women's hospital in Wheeling, and later became a champion for public health and women's rights as the first woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, was born in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania (1856).
Dr. Harriet B. Jones (1856-1943) was a pioneering physician, advocate for women's rights, and public health crusader who made significant contributions in Wheeling and Glen Dale, West Virginia. After graduating from the Women's Medical College of Baltimore in 1884, she established a private practice in Wheeling in 1886 and opened a women's hospital at 80 15th Street in 1892, which thrived for twenty years under her leadership.
Dr. Jones was a prominent figure in Wheeling's medical community, holding memberships in the Ohio County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. She was also active in various organizations in the city, including the West Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. As a member of the West Virginia Equal Suffrage Association, she fought tirelessly for women's right to vote and hosted the founding meeting of the Wheeling Political Equality League at her home at 51 15th Street on November 14, 1895.
Throughout her career, Dr. Jones championed numerous public health initiatives, including the establishment of the first tuberculosis clinic in Wheeling, and the creation of the Hopemont Sanitarium near Terra Alta, the West Virginia Colored Tuberculosis Sanitarium at Denmar, the West Virginia Children's Home at Elkins, and the state industrial school for girls at Salem. Her tireless efforts led to the passage of legislation and funding for these crucial institutions.
In 1924, Dr. Jones became the first woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing Marshall County. She later moved to Glen Dale, residing at 707 Wheeling Avenue, where she continued her active involvement in the community. Dr. Jones organized junior and senior travel clubs for boys, hosted meetings at her home, maintained a beautiful flower garden, and offered political advice to aspiring public officials.
Dr. Harriet B. Jones passed away on June 28, 1943, at her home at 707 Wheeling Avenue in Glen Dale, West Virginia, after an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday evening, June 30, 1943, at the Grisell Funeral Home in Moundsville. Additional services were held the following day, Thursday, July 1, 1943, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at Terra Alta, which was Dr. Jones's girlhood home. She was laid to rest in the family plot at the Terra Alta Cemetery in Terra Alta, Preston County, West Virginia.
Recognized as one of West Virginia's most distinguished citizens, Dr. Jones received numerous honors for her contributions to medicine, public health, and women's rights. Her legacy of service and advocacy had a lasting impact on the state, particularly in the cities of Wheeling and Glen Dale, where she lived and worked for many years.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/Habdi) (https://shorturl.at/vZnp7) (https://shorturl.at/wFQ3d) (https://shorturl.at/2AawI) (https://shorturl.at/hNfQH) (https://shorturl.at/bzYvR) (https://shorturl.at/QN1eg) (https://shorturl.at/AEcHo) (https://shorturl.at/q7phx) (https://shorturl.at/wc8VZ)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Weelunk, The Clio, Google Maps
Dr. Harriet B. Jones (1856-1943) was a pioneering physician, advocate for women's rights, and public health crusader who made significant contributions in Wheeling and Glen Dale, West Virginia. After graduating from the Women's Medical College of Baltimore in 1884, she established a private practice in Wheeling in 1886 and opened a women's hospital at 80 15th Street in 1892, which thrived for twenty years under her leadership.
Dr. Jones was a prominent figure in Wheeling's medical community, holding memberships in the Ohio County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. She was also active in various organizations in the city, including the West Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. As a member of the West Virginia Equal Suffrage Association, she fought tirelessly for women's right to vote and hosted the founding meeting of the Wheeling Political Equality League at her home at 51 15th Street on November 14, 1895.
Throughout her career, Dr. Jones championed numerous public health initiatives, including the establishment of the first tuberculosis clinic in Wheeling, and the creation of the Hopemont Sanitarium near Terra Alta, the West Virginia Colored Tuberculosis Sanitarium at Denmar, the West Virginia Children's Home at Elkins, and the state industrial school for girls at Salem. Her tireless efforts led to the passage of legislation and funding for these crucial institutions.
In 1924, Dr. Jones became the first woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing Marshall County. She later moved to Glen Dale, residing at 707 Wheeling Avenue, where she continued her active involvement in the community. Dr. Jones organized junior and senior travel clubs for boys, hosted meetings at her home, maintained a beautiful flower garden, and offered political advice to aspiring public officials.
Dr. Harriet B. Jones passed away on June 28, 1943, at her home at 707 Wheeling Avenue in Glen Dale, West Virginia, after an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday evening, June 30, 1943, at the Grisell Funeral Home in Moundsville. Additional services were held the following day, Thursday, July 1, 1943, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at Terra Alta, which was Dr. Jones's girlhood home. She was laid to rest in the family plot at the Terra Alta Cemetery in Terra Alta, Preston County, West Virginia.
Recognized as one of West Virginia's most distinguished citizens, Dr. Jones received numerous honors for her contributions to medicine, public health, and women's rights. Her legacy of service and advocacy had a lasting impact on the state, particularly in the cities of Wheeling and Glen Dale, where she lived and worked for many years.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/Habdi) (https://shorturl.at/vZnp7) (https://shorturl.at/wFQ3d) (https://shorturl.at/2AawI) (https://shorturl.at/hNfQH) (https://shorturl.at/bzYvR) (https://shorturl.at/QN1eg) (https://shorturl.at/AEcHo) (https://shorturl.at/q7phx) (https://shorturl.at/wc8VZ)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Weelunk, The Clio, Google Maps
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