John H. Wheeler
Encyclopedia
John Hill Wheeler was a politician and historian who served as North Carolina State Treasurer
(1843-1845) and as United States Minister to Nicaragua
(1855-1856).
Born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina
, Wheeler earned a bachelor's degree at Columbian College (now George Washington University
), read law under John Louis Taylor
, was admitted to the bar in 1827, and the following year received a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons from Hertford County at age 21, serving four years, and was also elected to the House from Lincoln County
years later. President Andrew Jackson
appointed him superintendent of the federal mint
in Charlotte, North Carolina
(1837-1841).
In 1842, Wheeler was elected state treasurer by the North Carolina General Assembly
but he was defeated for re-election in 1844.
Wheeler became an assistant secretary to President Franklin Pierce
in 1854 and shortly thereafter was appointed minister to Nicaragua. There, he recognized the government of William Walker.
He spent much of his later life in minor federal government posts, and wrote or edited several books on state history, including Historical Sketches of North Carolina, from 1584 to 1851, The Narrative of Colonel David Fanning, Legislative Manual and Political Register of the State of North Carolina for the Year 1874, and Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians (published after his death).
North Carolina State Treasurer
The North Carolina State Treasurer is a statewide elected office in the U.S. state of North Carolina responsible for overseeing the financial operations of state government. The current state treasurer is Janet Cowell....
(1843-1845) and as United States Minister to Nicaragua
United States Ambassador to Nicaragua
The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Nicaragua. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.-Ambassadors:-See also:...
(1855-1856).
Born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina
Murfreesboro, North Carolina
Murfreesboro is a town in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,045 at the 2000 census. Murfreesboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Murfreesboro is located at ....
, Wheeler earned a bachelor's degree at Columbian College (now George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
), read law under John Louis Taylor
John Louis Taylor
John Louis Taylor was an American jurist and first Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.Born in London, he is the only foreign-born Chief Justice in state history...
, was admitted to the bar in 1827, and the following year received a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons from Hertford County at age 21, serving four years, and was also elected to the House from Lincoln County
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
years later. President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
appointed him superintendent of the federal mint
Charlotte Mint
The Charlotte Mint was a branch of the United States Mint that came into existence on March 3, 1835 during the Carolina Gold Rush. The first gold mine in the United States was established in North Carolina at the Reed Gold Mine...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
(1837-1841).
In 1842, Wheeler was elected state treasurer by the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
but he was defeated for re-election in 1844.
Wheeler became an assistant secretary to President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
in 1854 and shortly thereafter was appointed minister to Nicaragua. There, he recognized the government of William Walker.
He spent much of his later life in minor federal government posts, and wrote or edited several books on state history, including Historical Sketches of North Carolina, from 1584 to 1851, The Narrative of Colonel David Fanning, Legislative Manual and Political Register of the State of North Carolina for the Year 1874, and Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians (published after his death).