Sheeler, John Reuben, 1911-

John Reuben Sheeler was born in Riceville, Tennessee on March 23, 1911. His early education was completed in the region schools in Riceville and Cleveland, Tennessee. His undergraduate work was completed at Knoxville College also in Tennessee. He then majored in History and Political Science at Fisk University in 1941 where he where he earned his Master’s degree. In 1954 Dr. Sheeler was the first African American to earn a Doctorate degree at the University of West Virginia.

Following his studies and throughout his life Dr. Sheeler was first and foremost an educator. This he practiced in many different capacities. He taught in schools and universities throughout the United States, eventually settling in Houston to teach at Texas Southern University and University of Houston. In the community he served as pastor at the Houston Metropolitan CME Church and the St. Paul CME Church. As a foreign ambassador, he served the City of Houston by acting as the Honorable Consul between Texas and the Haitian government from 1959 to 1979. He also served as a delegate to other countries as well through his appointment as Cultural Specialist for the U.S. State Department. During his service there, his travels took him to 14 nations including Scandinavia and the Near East sharing information about U.S. history in general and about the circumstances of African Americans in the United States throughout history.

He taught at all levels of education in the schools. Even after years of having been recognized as a Distinguished Professor of History at Texas State University, Dr. Sheeler still found time to deliver addresses at the elementary and middle school levels. Dr. Sheeler pioneered the development of early programs and policies for Afrocentric education. He assisted other faculty heads at universities in establishing and evaluating their program’s objectives and curriculum. Dr. Sheeler also informed both scholars and the public of the discrepancies and inaccuracies in textbooks and other media that misrepresented the majority of African Americans.

Acting as head of the Department of History and Geography at TSU, Dr. Sheeler assessed the abilities of students based on character and merit, recognizing that individuals possessing desirable qualities may have not had the opportunities of their wealthier counterparts. His presence at Texas State University provided temperance during the turbulent years of the 1950s through the 1970s. He served as a role model for students as he endeavored toward peaceful change through the exchange of information.

Over the course of his studies Dr. Sheeler published many definitive works reflecting his scholarly interests; early American leaders – both Black and White, Houston demographics, the contributions of African Americans to U.S. heritage. Overall he published 28 works: chiefly scholarly articles, book reviews and books. He received the Bancroft Award for his research in 1944.

In the church acting as pastor, Dr. Sheeler educated and informed his congregations as he would his students to the conditions of the world and their place in it. He vehemently opposed separation and isolation of races, ethnicities and social classes, yet he was known as the soft-spoken gentleman and humanitarian with a kindly sense of humor.

Dr. Sheeler’s presence as a civic leader was pervasive. His contributions have been a part of such organizations as the Business and Professional Men’s Club of Houston where he served as Board Member, the South Central Branch of the YMCA where he was Acting Chairman of the Public Forum and later on the Board of Management. In 1972 Dr. Sheeler was awarded the W.E.B. Dubois Award on behalf of the Houston N.A.A.C.P. On the national level Dr. Sheeler was first a Member of the Executive Board, then later a Member of the Editorial Board for the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1960 Dr. Sheeler became the Vice-President of the Association.

Dr. Sheeler exhibited an unwavering love for United States history. He was patriotic and held great respect for U.S. leaders; particularly for the 11th president, Abraham Lincoln. His mission to inform others was a priority with his personal needs as secondary. In order to fill his initial teaching position at TSU, he was required to be separated from his wife Winifred for four years. Winifred Sheeler later joined Dr. Sheeler in Houston, where they resided for the rest of their lives. When Winifred Sheeler died in 1971, Dr. Sheeler continued his research, teaching and service in the community. He later married Marie Owens with whom he adopted a daughter; Ms. Eleanor Smith.

From the guide to the J. Reuben Sheeler Collection MSS 268., 1944 to 1986, 1950 to 1970, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)