They Brought Honor to Our City: A Look at the Wheeling Hall of Fame, Past & Present

Harry C. Hamm

1923 – 1991
(PUBLIC SERVICE)

A newspaperman for 50 years, his editorials as Wheeling News-Register editor championed causes such as quality education and health care, crime control, bridge construction, urban renewal, good government, and more. Helped secure millions in funding local parks, colleges, hospitals, cultural institutions and public improvements. Authored WHEELING 2000 revitalization plan.

Ellis R. Dungan

1909 – 2001
(MUSIC AND FINE ARTS)

His adventures in film making took this internationally known cinematographer all the way to India, where he spent 15 years and became one of that country’s celebrated producers and directors. In Hollywood, he filmed jungle adventure stories for theatre and television. He formed his own company to produce industrial and educational and promotional films.

Gene Freese

1934 – 2013
(SPORTS AND ATHLETICS)

West Liberty State College star who played 12 seasons in baseball’s major leagues. Third baseman with Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds. In 1959, he led the Phillies with 23 homers, five as pinch hitter. Key player in Reds’ pennant drive in ‘61, with 87 RBIs and 26 homers. Played against Yankees in ‘61 World Series.

B. Walker Peterson

1851 – 1925
(PHILANTHROPY)

A bank president and corporate builder whose financial acumen enabled him to amass a fortune – much of which he used to better the city of Wheeling and lives of some of its people. His philanthropy helped establish OVGH, Wheeling Park and the Ohio County Public Library. He donated the well-remembered statue of Ethan Allen, which stood guard in the lobby of the old library on Market Street for many years.

Doc Williams

1914 – 2011
(MUSIC AND FINE ARTS)

Born Andrew John Smik in Cleveland Ohio, he became known to legions of country music fans as Doc Williams. Composer, stage and recording artist who made Wheeling his home when he joined The WWVA Jamboree in 1937. He and his wife, Chickie, and his band, The Border Riders, have entertained from coast to coast and in Canada and England.

Jesse Cail Burkett

1868 – 1953
(SPORTS AND ATHLETICS)

First WV native elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame. Batting champion of National League three times, with major league average of .342 for 16 seasons. One of three men ever to hit over .400 three times. Played with New York Giants, Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox. Later managed in minor leagues.

Archibald W. Campbell

1843 – 1902
(PUBLIC SERVICE)

Crusading editor of the Wheeling Intelligencer. Campaigned vigorously on behalf of free expression of ideas without political censorship. He was a major influence in creating West Virginia statehood. He spoke out against slavery and was a prominent figure in nomination of Abraham Lincoln for president.

Alexander Glass

1858 – 1941
(BUSINESS, INDUSTRY
AND PROFESSIONS)

Founder of Wheeling Corrugating Company in 1890 and Wheeling Steel Corporation in 1920. For half a century, a leader in the steel industry and in the banking and business community. During his years, the Upper Ohio Valley became a major producer of ingots and finished steel products.

Earl W. Oglebay

1849 – 1926
(PHILANTHROPY)

Leader of the iron ore industry and founder of an important center for scientific research. At age 28, he become the youngest bank president in the United States. He gave the city of Wheeling his beautiful country home, Waddington Farm, which became Oglebay Park.

George E. Stifel

1849 – 1931
(PHILANTHROPY)

Department store owner and concerned citizen, he was intensely interested in education of young people. He left an endowment fund to provide annual cash awards to top-ranking students in the fifth to twelfth grades of Wheeling public schools, as well as scholarships for nurses.

John Wesley Glasscock

1857 – 1947
(SPORTS AND ATHLETICS)

First West Virginian to play Major League baseball. Sports Illustrated magazine named him as one of the three best shortstops of all time in 1984. Led the National League in fielding throughout his career, hitting in 1890, and set numerous records without the benefit of a glove. He came home to Wheeling to lead local team to Iron and Oil League title.

Rose M. Gacioch

1915 – 2004
(SPORTS)

Pioneer of women’s professional baseball in America. She played 11 seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Beginning her career in 1944 with the South Bend Blue Sox, she was traded to the Rockford Peaches, which she led to three AAGPBL titles. The versatile star played infield, outfield and pitched. During the 1951 season, she posted a 20-7 won-lost record and tossed a no-hitter. In the three-time all-star’s final season, the 38-year-old batted .304 and hit 13 home runs.

Michael Joseph Owens

1859 – 1923
(BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND
PROFESSIONS)

From humble beginnings, he achieved extraordinary fame by revolutionizing the glass industry. He invented the bottle making machine in 1903, and his name is on 49 patents relating to glass. His outstanding accomplishments are recognized throughout the world, and the encyclopedia pays tribute to him as an inventor, entrepreneur and outstanding businessman.

Most Rev. John J. Swint, D.D.

1879 – 1962
(EDUCATION AND RELIGION)

Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling for 40 years. Leader in education and religion. Directed an expansive building program of churches, schools and hospitals. Founder of Wheeling College. Named Archbishop by Pope Pius XII in 1954 on his fiftieth anniversary as a priest.

Introducing the Class of 2015

Mary Elizabeth Fassig Keyser

1905 – 1986
(MUSIC AND FINE ARTS)

Known simply as “Miss Fassig,” she began her career in New York City, where she performed in vaudeville, before returning home to Wheeling and establishing Fassig School of the Dance. She trained thousands in dance, stage presence and poise. Her students performed throughout the Ohio Valley, on the Capitol Theatre stage, television, and other venues. She was choreographer for Linsly School and West Liberty State College. Demanding and professional, a number of her students became New York City Rockettes. Others made their mark in various ways, including NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, WV Music Hall of Fame honoree and game show host Peter Marshall, and his sister actress Joanne Dru.

Dr. Arthur Rybeck

1923 – 2008
(PHILANTHROPY)

This Triadelphia High School graduate was a devoted proponent of new approaches to community health and nutrition, particularly as it related to dentistry. He attended West Virginia University followed by military service in World War II and then the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine, on the GI Bill. In 1998, he founded the Viewpoint Dental Clinic at the lodge on his New Dawn Farm in Triadelphia. On each Saturday, until the day before he died, he and his volunteer assistants provided free dental services to those who otherwise could not afford the service. A lifelong supporter of numerous charitable organizations, state tax reform also was an enduring passion for this “Dental Farmer.”

Clyde D. Campbell

1930 –
(PUBLIC SERVICE)

Scientist, educator, wellness advocate, and civic activist, he served the Wheeling environs as president of West Liberty State College, president of the Ohio County Board of Education, president of the Ohio County Heart Association, Sunday School teacher at Warwood United Methodist Church for 56 years, co-chair of Warwood’s Garden Park Improvement Association, a founder of the Warwood High School Alumni Association, past president of the West Liberty Alumni Association, and a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity – Wheeling Area. Earning his doctorate in biochemistry at West Virginia University, he holds 31 national and international patents. His research explores possible use of synthetic livestock feed as a solution to world hunger.

Susan Cox Hogan

19 –
(PUBLIC SERVICE)

Known for championing social justice and the arts at all levels, she and husband, Bill, became Peace Corps volunteers in Benin, West Africa. She was executive director, Wheeling YWCA, when it earned a national Racial Justice Award. As a Benedum Fellow she mentored other WV YWCAs. Named delegate to the Conference on Women in Beijing and to the historic Presidents’ Summit in Philadelphia. In WV, she served the community service commission, Public Broadcasting, Music Hall of Fame, and as Commissioner for the Arts. Local volunteer for Youth Services System, Grow Ohio Valley, Mayor’s Arts and Cultural Commission, Re-Invent Wheeling. Recipient of the city’s first Community Spirit Award, she also was executive director, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, for 17 years.

Allan Connolly

1944 –
(EDUCATION AND RELIGION)

This long-time educator began his career in Ohio County Schools in 1965, teaching at Clay Junior High where he also served as a basketball coach. When Wheeling Park High School opened in 1976, he followed his students to teach and coach there. One year later, he was appointed assistant principal, serving for the next 22 years. He formally ended his career with Ohio County Schools in 1999, completing 34 years of teaching, encouraging, and guiding students to successful lives. An inductee to the West Virginia All-Black Schools Sports Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, he continues to impact the lives of Ohio County students through his tireless efforts to provide scholarships and other opportunities.

John B. “Jay” Handlan

1928-2013
(SPORTS AND ATHLETICS)

This Triadelphia High School graduate became one of the most prolific scorers in major college history. Starting four seasons at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., he earned honors as a junior in 1951 before becoming the third major college player to score over 2,000 points with 2,002. He scored a school, and Southern Conference, record 66 points, 49 in the first half, vs. Furman while attempting an NCAA record 71 goals. He led the nation in free throw shooting in 1951 while setting an NCAA mark of 18-for-18 vs. Virginia. Punted for the football team and had a Cleveland Browns’ tryout. An NBA draftee, he played four seasons with Akron in the National Industrial Basketball League, earning All-Star in 1954.

James Nelson Vance

1829-1913
(BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND PROFESSIONS)

Known as one of Wheeling’s “Captains of Industry,” James Nelson Vance started in the iron and hardware business at age 24, later manufacturing railroad spikes and iron during the Civil War. After the war, his Riverside Iron Works’ capacity grew to an amazing 10,000 kegs of nails per week. In 1884, the state’s first Bessemer converter began operation at the Wheeling plant, marking the birth of the steel industry in West Virginia. The tube works at Riverside manufactured steel steam, gas, and water pipes, with products sold to every civilized country in the world. Vance’s philanthropy included Wheeling’s YMCA, YWCA, Ohio Valley General Hospital, and Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, built in memory of his parents.

Billy Cox

1941 –
(MUSIC AND FINE ARTS)

This bass player has a permanent place in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Synonymous with almost any reference to Jimi Hendrix, their pairing as musicians truly can be described as legendary. Billy performed with some of the most prominent blues and R&B acts of the day in the 1960s, culminating with the closing set with Jimi on the storied stage at Woodstock. Cox has been inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville and the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. A producer of blues and gospel shows, he has co-authored books, performed on television, and continues to tour as the only surviving member of both The Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Band of Gypsys.

Frederick Faris

1870-1927
(BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND PROFESSIONS)

Called the dean of Wheeling’s architecture, he was educated in the city’s public schools but had no formal training in his chosen field. After studying art in Chicago and New York, he returned to Wheeling and, armed with a natural ability, became a draftsman. Practiced his trade initially with a partner (Millard Giesey) and then worked alone for the last 20 years of his career. He served a term in the state Legislature, continuing his public service by donating his services to design public buildings, including Wheeling and Triadelphia high schools. He designed the longest (Market Auditorium) and the tallest (Schmulbach Building) structures in the state at the time.