Van Hoose, Fred C. - 8/26/1871 - 6/9/44

Fred Van Hoose was one of Johnson County's most successful farmers and orchardists. His apples traditionally won local and state fairs. He was active in community affairs and politics, serving in both the Kentucky House of Representatives and State Senate. He was the father of Wendell and Perry Van Hoose.

 

Van Hoose, Frew S. - 9/1/1883 - 4/6/67

Frew Van Hoose served in the U. S. Army from 1904 to 1907 before returning to Paintsville and entering the grocery business. In 1921 he founded the F. S. Van Hoose Lumber Company. From 1936 until 1940, Frew served as Mayor of Paintsville. He was a lifelong member of the Freewill Baptist Church.

 

Van Hoose, J. R. -

(See Sports Highlights)

 

Walker, Earl -

Earl Walker was one of the most celebrated coaches and teachers at Paintsville High School in the late 1920s and early 1930s, coaching girls basketball, tennis and golf. He was responsible in large measure for the Paintsville Comets appearing in the state basketball tournament in 1932. Walker was recognized statewide for his ability in amateur golf.

 

Wells Charles C. - 8/18/34 –

Charles C. Wells, known as was his father before him as "Hardware Charlie", was educated at Millersburg Military Institute and Transylvania University. He is the son of Charles J. and Elizabeth Rice Wells. Upon the death of his father in 1955, Charlie returned to Paintsville to assume management of his family’s propone bottled gas business which he developed into one of the largest in Eastern Kentucky. He has been a Director of Citizens National Bank since 1981 and its Chairman since 1996. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Southern School of Osteopathic Medicine (now Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine). Charlie has compiled and published several volumes of genealogical reference books, including Records of Johnson County –1850, Vital Statistics of Johnson County, Ky. 1843 to 1904 and Annals of Floyd County, Ky. 1800 to 1826. He is married to the former Carlos E. Horn.

 

Wells, John Britton - 10/22/1880 - 2/23/58

John Britton Wells was born on Johnson County's Greasy Creek where he began his commercial career operating a general merchandise store. He and his wife Jenny Ward Wells, moved to Paintsville where Mr. Wells bought an interest in, and later control of, Big Sandy Hardware Company. Under his management Big Sandy Hardware became one of the regions largest and most successful wholesale establishments. Mr. Wells was active in local business and community affairs serving as a member of the Paintsville City Council and as an officer and director of Second National Bank. He was the father of Vina Arrowood, Charles J. (Hardware Charlie) Wells, Sr., J. B. Wells, Jr., Sarah Redd and Irene Kazee.

 

Wells, J. B., Jr. - 7/4/14 -

John Britton Wells, Jr., served longer and more often than any other mayor of Paintsville. He began his political and public service career when he was elected mayor at the age of 25 in 1939. He served a total of 15 years as mayor and served almost every succeeding city administration in one capacity or another until his retirement as Executive Director of the Paintsville Housing Authority. J. B. was Commissioner of Rural Highways under Governor Chandler and was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor. He is a gifted public speaker. Upon the death of his father in 1958, J. B. assumed the management of Big Sandy Hardware which he continued until relinquishing this position to his son, John B. Wells, III.

 

Wells, J. K. - 12/15/15 -

J. K. Wells received his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1938 following undergraduate studies at Morehead State College. He entered private practice in Paintsville, joining his mother Ruth Long Wells and his uncle Zip Wells in their firm. J. K. became a noted legal authority on mineral and corporate law. He served as City Attorney of Paintsville, as a member of the Paintsville City Council and City School Board.

 

Wells, J. Kendrick - 11/14/1885 - 2/19/26

John Ken Wells, husband of Ruth Long Wells, was a successful attorney in Paintsville. He was appointed Paintsville's first City Attorney in 1914. His life and career were cut short at the age of 41 when he was shot and killed by Paintsville policeman Jimmy Foster following a bitter argument on Main Street.

 

Wells, Long Ruth - 12/30/ 1895 - 2/10/53

Ruth Wells, wife of John Ken Wells, became Paintsville's first female attorney in the 1930s and its only female City Attorney to date. Her husband and son, J. K. Wells, also served as City Attorney. Following the death of her husband, Ms. Wells continued to raise her children then entered the law firm begun by her husband and his cousin Zip Wells. In addition to her legal career, Ms. Wells was active in the city's social and religious activities.

 

Wheatley, J. B. - 1862 - 1904

J. B. Wheatley was one of Johnson County's most renowned teachers during the peirod when education in Paintsville and Johnson County was in its infancy. He married Miranda Brown, daughter of Nathan Brown. Professor Wheatley taught throughout the county and became the first principal of record of the Paintsville Independent School District in 1893. Following Professor Wheatley death in 1904, Mrs. Wheatley operated the Dennison Hotel, later known as the Wheatley Hotel, in Paintsville for many years.

 

Wheeler, Dr. Arville -

Dr. Arville Wheeler, a nationally renowned educator, graduated from Paintsville High School in 1920. He later attended Centre College, the University of Chicago and Cornell University where he obtained his doctorate. Dr. Wheeler was Superintendent of Paintsville schools from 1934 to 1938. He taught at Peabody College in Nashville for 18 years and Eastern Kentucky University from 1965 to 1972. Dr. Wheeler was a prolific and popular writer. His most popular and successful volume was White Squaw, the story of Jenny Wiley.

 

Wheeler, C. O. "Buzzy", Jr. - 10/22/22 - 6/2/84

Buzzy Wheeler was one of Johnson County's most affable politicians. He served as Johnson County Court Clerk for four consecutive terms. During World War II he saw action with the U. S. Marine Corps in the Pacific. Following his career in public office, Buzzy was active in numerous business ventures, including the Pride Motel.

 

Wheeler, Dan - 11/28/1882 - 11/7/74

Dan Wheeler began his working career on steamboats traveling up and down the Big Sandy River at the turn of the century. At one time he owned a one-third interest in the Thealka. Later, Dan joined Paintsville Grocery Company where he became vice president and general manager until his retirement. Dan retained his interest in steamboats, however, long after they disappeared from the Big Sandy. His prodigious memory of the names, sizes and descriptions of these boats has been a boon to river historians. Dan Wheeler first married Beulah Patrick by whom he had two daughters, Alice Jeanette and Betty Dean. After the death of Beulah Dan married Elizabeth Wells.

 

Wheeler, Harrison -????? - 7/26/83

Harrison Wheeler co-founded Sandy Valley Grocery Company with his father Charles Wheeler in 1921. He assumed the position of president of the company in 1925 and soon expanded the company to 15 outlets in three states. Harrison Wheeler was, by all accounts, a marketing genius. He once chartered an entire train to take dealers, employees and community leaders to the Chicago World's Fair where they were met by a band and given a motorcycle escort to their hotel.

 

Wheeler, James Hassell "Blackie" - 9/13/20 - 12/11/98

A 1938 graduate of Paintsville High School, Coach James Hassell "Blackie" Wheeler was called "the best football player in Kentucky" during his senior year at Paintsville. Wheeler returned to Paintsville following service in the U. S. Air Corps and graduation from the University of Kentucky in 1949. He joined the teaching and coaching staff of Paintsville High School where he remained throughout his career. He served as Principal of Paintsville Elementary from 1959 until his retirement in 1984.

 

Wiley, Lorraine Clay - 10/27/06 -

Lorraine Wiley was one of the most outstanding and respected high school teachers in the history of Paintsville's Independent School District. She taught English for almost 40 years before her retirement. Ms. Wiley was known as a teacher who expected the best from her students and usually got it.

 

Williams, C. C. "Coke" - 3/21/11 - ???

Coke Williams was one of Johnson County's most popular businessmen. He initially entered the insurance business with Charles Wells and Virgie Geiger and later joined Ed Redd and Paul Brown in the formation of Redd, Brown & Williams. Coke was active in civic and community affairs until his untimely death. His wife, Viola Miller, assumed his business interests and became a successful businesswoman in her own right, serving as a Director of First National Bank for many years.

 

Williams, John Fred - 9/7/04 - 10/3/77

One of Kentucky's most noted educators, John Fred Williams served as Superintendent of Johnson County schools from 1935 to 1943 at which time he became Kentucky's Superintendent of Public Instruction. From 1948 until his retirement in 1969 John Fred was a vice president of Ashland Oil, Inc. He was a member of the state's Council on Higher Education, a Trustee of the University of Kentucky and a member of the Kentucky Board of Education.

 

Witten, James C. - 7/26/20 - 9/17/97

James C. Witten graduated from Oil Springs High School and pursued a business diploma from Mayo State Vocational School before accepting employment with state government in Frankfort in 1940. He served in the U. S. 8th Air Corps in England and Europe. Upon his return to Johnson County James Witten began a career in coal mining which continued until his death. He served as County Judge of Johnson County from 1975 through 1978 and remained active in Democrat politics. He became President, Chairman of the Board and majority shareholder of First National Bank and pursued a successful career in banking while retaining his other business interests.

 

Witten, William D. - 12/9/47

Businessman William D. Witten was elected Johnson County Sheriff in 1998 after several years in the coal and timber business in Johnson County. He succeeded his father as president of Witten Coal & Mining Co., Inc., in 1997. Previously Bill had owned and operated his own surface mine companies and a timber business. He is a graduate of Flat Gap High School.

 

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