Sumter County GaArchives Biographies.....Wheatley, William Harris Crawford 1866 - living in 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 1, 2004, 10:54 am Author: William Harden p. 1038-1040 HON. WILLIAM HARRIS CRAWFORD WHEATLEY. Enterprising, progressive, and possessing the attributes that would make him a leader in any sphere he might select, Hon. William H. C. Wheatley, of Americus, has long been an important factor in the development and promotion of the industrial, mercantile, manufacturing and agricultural prosperity of Sumter county, and a commanding figure in its financial circles. He was born December 6, 1866, in Americus, a son of John Wright and Mary (Dudley) Wheatley, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this biographical volume. Obtaining his elementary education in the public schools of his native city, "Crawford Wheatley," as he is familiarly known, further advanced his studies at the Lehigh University, in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and later entered Steven's Institute of Technology, at Hoboken, New Jersey, from which he graduated, in 1887, with the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Returning then to Americus, he was here city engineer for a year. In 1888, becoming superintendent of the Americus Oil Company, he built a large oil mill in the city, it being one of the leading industrial plants of that time. Subsequently he entered the firm of C. M. Wheatley & Company, architects and builders, with which he was identified for three years. In 1891 Mr. Wheatley organized the Americus Construction Company, of which he was vice-president until 1893, at the same time serving as president of the Americus Refrigerating Company. During those two years both firms, aided by his untiring energy and activity, rapidly increased and extended their operations and their business. From 1893 until 1896 Mr. Wheatley was a member of the firm of T. A. Klatz & Company, architects, and carried on a substantial business. Giving up active labor in 1896, he spent four years in rest, recreation and observation, in the meantime visiting the West Indies, and traveling extensively throughout Europe. Returning to Americus in 1900, Mr. Wheatley was elected treasurer of the Sheffield-Huntington Company, a position for which his executive and financial ability amply qualified him. Resigning from that firm in 1905, Mr. Wheatley accepted the position of vice president of the Americus National Bank and in 1908 organized the Commercial City Bank, of which he is vice president and the principal stockholder, and which is housed in one of the finest buildings in the city. He has also been officially connected with various other organizations of prominence, having served as president of the Americus Manufacturing and Improvement Company; as president of the Carnegie Library Association; and as president of the local Board of Trade, under whose auspices the automobile road extending from Andersonville to Thomasville was established. Mr. Wheatley has likewise been a dominant power in public affairs, and has rendered his fellow-citizens valuable assistance in positions of trust and responsibility. He served on the staff of Governor Terrell, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, and in 1905 and 1906 represented the thirteenth senatorial district in the state senate, in which he served as chairman of the joint committee on new counties, and was the author of the Lieutenant Governor Bill of that session. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention held in Denver, Colorado, in July, 1908, which put in nomination the name of William J. Bryan for presidential candidate, and in 1912 was delegate at large to Democratic national convention held in Baltimore, Maryland. In November, 1912, he was elected as a representative to the Georgia legislature without any solicitation on his part, his election being a proof of his great popularity as a man, and as a citizen. Mr. Wheatley is a member of the library commission of the state of Georgia, and is treasurer and fiscal agent of the third district agricultural and mechanical school, an organization of great value to the young men and boys of this section of the state. He is greatly interested in the advancement of the agricultural interests of the state and county, and is himself an extensive owner of real estate. On October 12, 1897, Mr. Wheatley was united in marriage with Miss Helen Huntington, a daughter of Charles A. and Virginia (Wyatt) Huntington, and of their union one son has been born, Charles Huntington Wheatley. Socially Mr. Wheatley is a member of the New York Athletic Club, of the Capital City Club, and the Piedmont Driving Club, of Atlanta, Fraternally he is a member of the M. B. Council Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Wells Chapter, No. 42, Royal Arch Masons; of De Molay Commandery, Knights Templar; and of Alee Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and has served as potentate in the southwest district. Additional Comments: From: A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA BY WILLIAM HARDEN VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb