Today in Wheeling History: September 26--Laurance F. "Larry" Good, philanthropist and businessman, was born in Wheeling (1932).
Laurance F. "Larry" Good was a prominent figure in Wheeling, West Virginia, known for his business acumen, philanthropic efforts, and community involvement. Born into the Good family, which had a significant presence in Wheeling's retail industry, Larry continued the family legacy by running L.S. Good & Co., a chain of 14 department stores, alongside his brother Sidney.
After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy and Brown University and serving two tours with the U.S. Navy, Larry returned to Wheeling. He diversified his interests by founding Personal History Systems and creating "My Lifetime Book" to share his love of genealogy. His community involvement included roles as director of Gift Planning at Medical Park Foundation and executive director of Wheeling Works, Inc.
Larry's most enduring legacy is the Good Zoo at Oglebay Park, founded with his wife Barbara in memory of their son Philip, who passed away in 1971 at age seven. The zoo, which broke ground in 1972, honors Philip's love for nature and has become a cherished community institution, providing educational and conservation programs for all ages.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/lmhJ7); Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/zdJ2v), Kepner Funeral Home (https://shorturl.at/DqmMr), Legacy.com (https://shorturl.at/BtIh9), WV Culture (https://shorturl.at/H6lOi)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave
Laurance F. "Larry" Good was a prominent figure in Wheeling, West Virginia, known for his business acumen, philanthropic efforts, and community involvement. Born into the Good family, which had a significant presence in Wheeling's retail industry, Larry continued the family legacy by running L.S. Good & Co., a chain of 14 department stores, alongside his brother Sidney.
After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy and Brown University and serving two tours with the U.S. Navy, Larry returned to Wheeling. He diversified his interests by founding Personal History Systems and creating "My Lifetime Book" to share his love of genealogy. His community involvement included roles as director of Gift Planning at Medical Park Foundation and executive director of Wheeling Works, Inc.
Larry's most enduring legacy is the Good Zoo at Oglebay Park, founded with his wife Barbara in memory of their son Philip, who passed away in 1971 at age seven. The zoo, which broke ground in 1972, honors Philip's love for nature and has become a cherished community institution, providing educational and conservation programs for all ages.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/lmhJ7); Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/zdJ2v), Kepner Funeral Home (https://shorturl.at/DqmMr), Legacy.com (https://shorturl.at/BtIh9), WV Culture (https://shorturl.at/H6lOi)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave
RSS Feed
