Fred Barnett Wheeler
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Fred Barnett Wheeler was an American academic and politician who served as a professor at North Carolina State University and, later, as a mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Fred Barnett Wheeler | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina | |
| In office 1953–1957 | |
| Preceded by | James E. Briggs |
| Succeeded by | William G. Enloe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 10, 1886 High Point, North Carolina, United States |
| Died | December 11, 1957 (aged 71) Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
Early life and education[edit]
Fred Barnett Wheeler was born on June 10, 1886, in High Point, North Carolina. He began attending North Carolina State University (then known as State College) sometime in the late 1900s, being a tutor in forge work and foundry while attending the University as a student. Wheeler graduated from the University in 1912 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Career[edit]
Teaching and military service[edit]
After his graduation, Wheeler was given a position as a teacher at the University, where he taught the aforementioned subjects as well as woodworking and pattern making. He continued teaching until the fall of 1917, at the height of the Great War, when he entered the United States Military as a member of the Chemical Corps, a branch of the United States Army dedicated to handling chemical warfare. It is believed that Wheeler was chosen for the Chemical Corps due to his previous knowledge in engineering. In November of 1917, Wheeler was sent to Camp Crane, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, most likely being deployed to France in order to assist with the ongoing war effort. He was put in charge of construction work while in France, as seen in letters sent home to North Carolina from the European mainland. In August of 1918, while stationed in Tours, Wheeler was reported as having "done all kinds of work...designing factories, shells, machinery, etc." In the same report, Wheeler states that he had an "interesting trip" in England during his time overseas. At some point during his service, Wheeler had been promoted to a Chief Draftsman for the Chemical Corps, seen as being suitable for the role due to his extensive knowledge gathered at his University. Wheeler was discharged from the Army in late 1918, taking a job as a sales engineer for a machine company in his hometown of High Point. In 1923, Wheeler returned to NCSU and ultimately resumed his duties there. In a 1925 excerpt from the University's newspaper, it's stated that Wheeler's classes had produced "practically all the furniture for the college dormitories and laboratories", with Wheeler having been a well-respected member of staff. During his 41 year long tenure at the University, he also helped design and construct the floodlights for the Memorial Bell Tower, located at the main campus of the University today.
Political career[edit]
While still working at the University, Wheeler was elected as a member of the Raleigh City Council in 1947, serving in the council until his election as the Mayor of Raleigh in 1953. He ultimately only dropped his duties at the University in 1954, working full-time as the Mayor until stepping down from the position in 1957.
Death and legacy[edit]
Wheeler passed away later that year on December 11, at the age of 71 years old, from stomach cancer, leaving a widow, Naomi Wheeler. He was buried two days later in Montlawn Cemetery, Raleigh. To honor his legacy, one of the largest reservoirs in Raleigh, Lake Wheeler, was named after him.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ Dorin-Black, Cathy (26 Sep 2017). "Fred Barnett Wheeler: Alumnus, Soldier, Councilman, Mayor". www.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-04-10. Unknown parameter
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