University of Virginia Library

WILLIAM CARR

William Carr, fourth Mayor of Roanoke and eighth
in line of the Mayors of Big Lick and Roanoke combined,
was born in Albemarle County, Virginia,
February 17th, 1829.
He was a son of Samuel
and Lucy Carr, who
with his family removed
to Buckhannon, Lewis
County, West Virginia,
when William was a
small boy. Left an orphan
at the age of sixteen
when paternal
control was much
needed, and thrown
upon his own resources,
his earlier life was
marked by the same
honorable conduct that
characterized his
career in later years.

In early manhood he
located in Grafton, West
Virginia, where for a period of twenty years he was a
trusted employee of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad,
serving respectively as Conductor, Station Agent, and
Superintendent of Bridge Construction, all of which
positions he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction
to the company.

On November 26th, 1882, he came to Roanoke, and
in 1886 was elected Mayor of the rapidly growing city,
and was reölected in 1888. After announcing his
candidacy for a third term, he withdrew from the race,
owing to impaired health and an illness from which he
never recovered. His second term of office was not
unmixed with personal and political conflicts somewhat
discouraging in their nature. As Mayor, he was acting
Police Justice, and consequently a terror to evildoers
in the earlier history of Roanoke. The last six months
of his administration was especially marked with dissension
and strife in political circles, but whatever
differences of opinion may have been entertained as to
his methods of preserving the peace, as well as developing
a high moral tone in the city government, there can
be no question, but that he was actuated by the
highest and best motives in the discharge of his arduous
duties. He had set for himself a high standard of duty
in the administration of the office of the chief executive
of the city, and he labored diligently and faithfully to
attain to its fullest requirements. He was a man of
Spartan courage and determination, and was always
equal to the demands of his office, whether in dealing
with subordinates or with offenders against the laws of
the city or commonwealth.

He was twice married, first to Lavinia Keener of
Grafton, West Virginia, five children being born to this
union; namely, Richard, John D., William M., Lucy,
and Annie. He married secondly Susie H. Carr of
Albemarle County, Virginia, and two children, Susie
and Thomas were born to them.

Religiously he was a Presbyterian and a member of
the First Church. Fraternally he was a Mason and a
member of the Knights of Honor. Politically he was
an uncompromising Democrat. He died at his home
in Roanoke, April 20th, 1890. His funeral was attended
by the largest concourse of friends and mourners
ever seen in Roanoke.