Arville Wheeler

Arville Wheeler was the son of William Franklin Wheeler and Elizabeth Lemaster. He was born May 8, 1900. He was married to Lois Vance. He graduated from PHS in 1920 then continues his education with a major in English from Centre College in 1926. In July of 1934 Arville became the superintendent of Schools for Paintsville City Schools. In 1939 he received his Masters in School Administration and Supervision, from the University of Chicago. He rounded out his illustrious career as an Assistant Director of Research at Cornell University and as an Associate Professor of Education at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado 1938-40. Then he was back in Ashland to 1940-46, as Superintendent  of Schools. Next in his roster of schools came George Peabody College for Teachers. This was from 1947 to 1965. Then the trails head back to Kentucky where he took up residence at Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond as Professor of Education. He continued here until 1972. Besides one small semester in he devoted his time to writing. He authored several tests and many professional books and still found time to write the ever classic, "White Squaw"

Few young men in Kentucky have progressed along educational lines as has Arville Wheeler. Unfortunately he was not born rich in the world of goods, but came from poor but honest, humble parentage.

                In the face of what appeared to be adversities, Arville made up his mind when he was but a small boy, to secure himself and education that would properly equip him for the battles of life. He attended rural schools until he completed his eighth grade, after which he entered the Paintsville High School and graduated with the class of 1920. While a student at Paintsville High he secured a position as typesetter for the Paintsville Post, working before and after school hours and on Saturday, thereby enabling him to pay his way through school. He then entered the West Point Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he spent one year. From West Point he went to Philadelphia where he spent one winter taking special courses in mathematics. He then returned home and taught schools in the rural schools of this county and later matriculated as a student in Centre College in Danville,  where he has been for the past four years. While a student in Centre College he worked on a school paper and did other kinds of various jobs enabling him to earn money to pay his way through college. He worked as an assistant teacher his senior year and gradated with honors, receiving his A, B. Degree

                While a student at Centre College the Paintsville School Board learned of the made rapid progress along the educational lines and sought his services as a teacher in the ensuing year, beginning next September. We are advised that Mr. Wheeler was offered positions in other schools which paid more money than he will receive from the Paintsville Schools but he accepted the position here with his alma mater so that he could associate and mingle with the people that he learned to love as a boy. He is the son of W. F. Wheeler, who is a member of the Board of Education of Johnson County and a nephew of Commonwealth's Attorney Jno. W. Wheeler and Attorney M. Wheeler of this city.

June 17, 1926

The Paintsville Herald