B. E. Wheeler

B. E. Wheeler
Wheeler in 1921
Board of Aldermen Charlottesville City Council
Electoral District	Third Ward
Mayor Charlottesville City Council
Electoral District	At-large (city wide)
Term Start	September 1, 1920
Term End	August 31, 1922
Preceded by	E. G. Haden
Succeeded by	Charlottesville City Commission (1922–1928)
Biographical Information
Date of birth	May 24 1870
Date of death	September 26, 1948 (aged 78)
Place of birth	Albemarle County
Place of death	Charlottesville, Virginia
Spouse	Lonnie B. Wagner Wheeler
Children	Myrtle Lavelle, Roy W., Benjamin Ernest, Mary Belle and twin sons Herman Stuart and Harry Wagner.
Residence	Third Ward (702 Ridge Street, 1940 census)
Profession	Nursery and fruit-tree business; real estate broker
Religion	Baptist

Benjamin Ernest Wheeler (1870 – 1948) was very active in the local democratic party and a leading real estate dealer in Central Virginia during the early 20th century. B. E. Wheeler, as he was known, has the distinction of being the City of Charlottesville's last Mayor elected by the voters at-large. On September 1, 1922, the city was taken over by the Commission-Manager form of government wherein the Mayor was elected by a majority vote of the City Council.

Benjamin Ernest Wheeler was born on May 24, 1870 to David Hening Wheeler and Mary Frances Foster Wheeler in the Crozet section of Albemarle County. His father having died when Benjamin was in his 13th year, leaving him the oldest of a number of children. He worked on the family farm, attended the local county schools and later took on the nursery and fruit-tree business. Wheeler removed to the city in about 1915 and opened the firm of B. E. Wheeler & Company - handling homes, farms and city property. In 1899, Wheeler married Miss Lonnie B. Wagner of Augusta County, Virginia and they had six children, namely: Myrtle Lavelle, Roy W., Benjamin Ernest, Mary Belle and twin sons Herman Stuart and Harry Wagner.

Wheeler was first elected to the City Council’s Board of Alderman from the Third Ward at the June election in 1918 and in 1920 was elected Mayor of the city by the voters at-large.

Mayor Wheeler was instrumental in having the prosecution of violations of the prohibition law transferred from the state to the city. Jackson Park, Lee Park, and Roger Park, donated by Paul Goodloe McIntire, came to the city during his administration. As an alderman and mayor, Mr. Wheeler’s accomplishments with the $950,000 bond issue provided for a filtration plant on Observatory Mountain, and sewer and street improvements.

Burial in Maplewood Cemetery

Quotes

“I feel that the time has come when the administration of the city’s affairs should b conducted along the lines of progressiveness, common sense and fairness. I am committed to this program and on this basis solicit the votes and support of the citizens of Charlottesville.” Source: Candidacy announcement card of May 8, 1920.