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
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
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